Kilojoules, often shortened to “kj”, are the energy currency of foods that drive the playful antics and growth spurts of our children.

They represent a unit of measurement to determine energy derived from foods. When a toddler zooms around the room or a baby takes their first steps, they’re burning energy, and kilojoules are a way to quantify that. In many countries, food energy values are also given in calories.

Foods from fruits to cereals contain energy measured in kilojoules. No specific food allergies are tied to this term, but understanding it helps parents make informed dietary choices.