Calorie counting is at the heart of many weight loss and nutrition programs. After all, calories are one of the base units in calculating volume and value of food. Because of differences in size and physiology, women and men have different calorie needs.
USDA Minimum
For best health, the USDA recommends a minimum of 1,800 calories per day for women, and a minimum of 2,000 calories per day for men. These recommendations will vary according to actual body weight and average level of daily exertion.
USDA Maximum
The USDA recommends a maximum calorie intake of 2,300 for women and 2,500 for men. This number is much lower that what most Americans eat, which has been reported as high as 3,700 calories per person per day.
Losing Weight
If you want to lose weight, your calorie intake depends less on your gender and more on what you usually eat. Health counselor Maya Paul recommends eating 500 to 1,000 calories per day less than you normally eat. This amount will result in noticeable, but healthy and sustainable, weight loss.
References
- "National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference," US Department of Education; 2009
- "Eat, Drink and Be Healthy"; Walter Willett MD, et al; 2006
- Help Guide: Healthy Weight Loss and Dieting
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