Maximum Daily Calories

In theory, your maximum daily calorie intake is limited only by your appetite and how much time you can devote to eating. However, your maximum healthy intake is a matter of your goals, health and lifestyle.

USDA Recommended

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for advising the American public about dietary health. The USDA recommends a maximum calorie intake of 2,500 calories for men, and 2,300 for women. They recommend 2,000 and 1,800 as the healthy intake each day.

Weight Loss

If you intend to lose weight, you need to reduce the number of calories you eat each day. Fitness coach Ben Cohn recommends tracking how many calories you normally eat for a week, then planning menus at a reduced number. According to health counselor Maya Paul, a maximum daily calorie intake of 500 calories less than your usual diet will produce sustainable and healthy weight loss.

Performance Calories

Extreme athletes and other people who engage in heavy exertion each day need to eat more calories. For example, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps ate 12,000 calories each day while training for his record-breaking performance. Consult with your doctor or professional trainer if you think your goals require extreme calorie intake.