How do I calculate my calorie needs?

How to calculate your daily calorie needs
  1. Step 1: Find your current body weight in kilograms (if you live in the US, just divide your current weight in pounds by 2.2 to get your weight in kilograms).
  2. Step 2: Multiply your weight in kilograms by 0.9 if you are a woman or 1.0 if you are a man.
  3. Step 3: Multiply by 24.

How many calories should I eat to lose weight by this day?

In order to lose at least a pound a week, try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, and reduce your daily calorie intake by at least 500 calories. However, calorie intake should not fall below 1,200 a day in women or 1,500 a day in men, except under the supervision of a health professional.

Is a 1200 calorie a day diet healthy?

A 1,200-calorie diet is much too low for most people and can result in negative side effects like dizziness, extreme hunger, nausea, micronutrient deficiencies, fatigue, headaches, and gallstones ( 23 ). Furthermore, a 1,200-calorie diet can set you up for failure if long-term weight loss is your goal.

How do I calculate my calorie needs? – Related Questions

Why am I not losing weight eating 1200 calories a day?

You can’t lose weight on 1200 calories a day because you’re no longer in a calorie deficit. Your body has adapted to what it’s been doing and plateaued. If you start your diet with a 500 calorie deficit per day, your body adapts to this in various way so that over time your energy requirements are reduced.

Will 1200 calories slow metabolism?

A prolonged 1,200 calorie-per-day diet can slow metabolism, so it is best to only do it short-term. There are risks to consuming too few calories, including: Not getting adequate nutrition.

What are signs of slow metabolism?

Here are some common signs of a slow metabolism:
  • Ongoing fatigue. If you have a slow metabolism, you may feel exhausted all the time even after a good night’s sleep.
  • Continuous headache.
  • Weight gain.
  • Constipation.
  • Depression.
  • Thin hair, brittle nails, dry skin.

Is 1500 calories too little?

While factors such as age, gender, and activity level can cause caloric needs to vary, a 1,500-calorie intake is typically less than the average person requires. As a result, this diet may help some people lose weight.

How many calories a day is dangerously low?

As a general rule, people need a minimum of 1,200 calories daily to stay healthy. People who have a strenuous fitness routine or perform many daily activities need more calories. If you have reduced your calorie intake below 1,200 calories a day, you could be hurting your body in addition to your weight-loss plans.

How long should you do a 1200 calorie diet?

While a very low-calorie diet that provides 800 calories or fewer must be monitored by a medical professional, a woman can typically continue 1,200-calorie diets without supervision for as long as she can stick with the plan.

How much should I eat on a 1200 calorie diet?

But the average weight loss that most people see on the 1200 calorie diet is about one to two pounds per week.”

Is it OK to eat 1000 calories a day?

A 1,000 calorie diet is a risky strategy for losing weight. While someone can safely follow the diet short-term, experts do not recommend that people follow extreme diets for extended periods because they can damage a person’s health and cause them to regain the weight they lost and more.

What happens if I eat 1500 calories a day?

A prolonged 1,500 calorie-per-day diet can slow metabolism, so it is best to only do it short-term. Risks to consuming too few calories may include: Inadequate nutrition. Fatigue/tiredness.

Is 1500 calories too little?

While factors such as age, gender, and activity level can cause caloric needs to vary, a 1,500-calorie intake is typically less than the average person requires. As a result, this diet may help some people lose weight.

Why am I not losing weight eating 1500 calories a day?

If you’re a man, woman weighing over 164 pounds or a female who regularly exercises and you aren’t losing weight eating 1,200 to 1,500 calories daily, it may be time to see a doctor. Hormone imbalances – such as underactive thyroid – can decrease your body’s metabolism and inhibit or prevent weight loss from occurring.

How many calories should I eat a day by age?

Estimated Calorie Requirements
GenderAge (years)Sedentaryb
Child2-31,000
Female 4-8 9-13 14-18 19-30 31-50 51+ 1,200 1,600 1,800 2,000 1,800 1,600
Male4-8 9-13 14-18 19-30 31-50 51+1,400 1,800 2,200 2,400 2,200 2,000

How many calories is dangerously low?

If you have reduced your calorie intake below 1,200 calories a day, you could be hurting your body in addition to your weight-loss plans.

Is 800 calories a day unsafe?

An 800 calorie diet can be safe if it provides complete nutrition. It can also be unsafe when it lacks any essential nutrient. One main advantage of medical meal replacements is they provide everything needed for health while providing much lower calories.

How do I know if Im Undereating?

The Six Key Signs of Undereating
  1. You Don’t Have Energy. Calories are fuel—the source of energy that keeps everything from your brain to your muscles functioning optimally.
  2. You’re Experiencing Mood Swings.
  3. You’re Not Sleeping Well.
  4. You Feel Cold—All the Time.
  5. You’re Losing Your Hair.
  6. You’re Daydreaming about Food.

Is it OK to have 800 calories a day?

A very low calorie diet is a clinically supervised diet plan that involves eating about 800 calories a day or fewer. They are sometimes considered for obese and severely obese people who are managing diabetes, going to have surgery or preparing for fertility treatment.