How many calories?
by Rachel Reagan
I feel like I eat very healthy, I exercise 5-6 days a week, and I am at a healthy weight. What I want to know is how many calories should I eat to maintain this weight? I get different numbers from different sites. I try to stay around 1600-1700 sometimes I might take in 1800 but never less than 1600. Some websites tell me I should be eating 2000 but I feel so stuffed after eating that much. I would also like to know how many calories to take in at each meal. I try to eat small meals all day (300 calories plus snack) and then a slightly bigger one at night (300-400 calories) and then a healthy dessert or two (dry cereal or sugar free ice cream) to get to my calorie limit. This seems to be working for me, is it ok to stick with it? (oh yeah and I have recently stopped eating past 7).
Thanks for your time and advice.
Rachel,
Thanks so much for contacting me!
I'm thrilled to hear you're eating healthy, exercising regularly and have achieved a healthy weight. It sounds like the regimen you've developed is working for you so it makes sense to stick with it.
The number of daily calories you require is dependent on many factors, including your height, weight, age, activity level (not only how many days/week you exercise, but also how long, and how intense), and your unique metabolism.
Feel free to use the Calories Calculator on my website!
It's not unusual to find recommended calorie discrepancies between different websites as you already have because there are various formulas that can be used to determine calorie requirements. Keep in mind that the answer you get from any calorie calculator, including the one on this website, is simply a starting place, and not meant to be the absolute final word on your calorie count.
If a website suggests you need to eat 2000 calories and you feel uncomfortably full with that amount, but 1600-1800 feels good and is working for you, I'd say that you have your answer!
Eating small, frequent meals is a good approach to healthy eating and your 300-400 calorie meals are a reasonable size if that fills you up at one time.
Keep up the good work!
Also keep in mind that I can further help you through a one-on-one phone consultation and phone or email follow up. That way, I can determine the balance of your meals and the overall nutritional quality of your diet and do some calculating for you. Let me know if you need personalized professional nutrition help!
