I think they mean total calories. My understanding is that the body has a sense of the caloric density of unprocessed foods, and adjusts the appetite accordingl

I think they mean total calories. My understanding is that the body has a sense of the caloric density of unprocessed foods, and adjusts the appetite accordingly (as in the example given for honey or other natural sugars; the taste prepares the body for the calorie load). But ultraprocessed foods confuse the body's ability to do this, causing people to eat more overall calories than they otherwise would, regardless of density.