How Many Calories Should I Eat a Day
How Many Calories Should I Eat a Day
How many calories should I eat a day? This question has several different answers, depending on your goals. The numbers will vary according to whether you want to lose weight, maintain your weight or gain weight. There are also various other factors, such as your current weight, age and height. Generally, men need more calories per day than women. When it comes to your weight, you may be confused by all of the conflicting information out there today. Are carbs really the enemy? Should you buy all organic? How bad are processed foods? These are questions that many have asked, and there are many different answers. It’s hard to know who is right and who is wrong.
How Many Calories Should I Eat a Day to Lose Weight?
Since everyone is different, it’s impossible to state a static number here. There is a simple formula that you can use to calculate the number of calories you need per day to lose weight. This formula is based on your BMR (basal metabolic rate) and your AMR (active metabolic rate.) These formulas can be found on the Internet and are not difficult to calculate.
Once you have your BMR rate, you need to calculate your AMR. The formula used depends on your current activity level. Again, you can find the exact formula online.
Your AMR will tell you how many calories you need to maintain your weight. To lose weight, you have to decrease this number by 500-1000 calories per day. Never go below 1200 calories, and don’t starve yourself. If you decrease your caloric intake by 500 per day, you can expect to lose about a pound per week. (1 pound equals 3,500 calories.)
How Many Calories Should I Eat To Maintain My Weight?
Once you have calculated your AMR, you will have the number of calories you need in order to stay at your current weight. If you are looking to maintain your weight, you don’t necessarily have to do anything different than you are already doing. It’s a good idea, however, to keep track of how many calories you’re taking in throughout the day so you can stay on your plan.
How Many Calories Should I Eat To Gain Weight?
If you are trying to gain weight, don’t think you can go out and eat fast food every night. You need to gain in a slow and steady manner, using nutritious foods. Protein shakes are very popular for those trying to gain muscle. Using the same formula as above, if you take in 500 extra calories per day, you can expect to gain about a pound a week.
Not all calories are equal. Whatever your goals, make sure you are eating wholesome, nutritious foods. Stay away from pre-packaged and overly-processed foods, and eat more fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Try to eat three square meals per day, with light snacks in between. Now, when someone asks you, “How many calories should I eat in a day?” you will be able to answer them.
