In today's bustling world we are constantly surrounded by media hype about "Weight Loss" and "Calorie Controlled Diets". As a Nutritional Therapist, I am often asked "How many calories are too many?" The simple answer to this question is that we are all individuals, and we all require a different amount of calories per day.
By following the four steps outlined below, you can determine exactly how many calories you need to consume on a daily basis in order to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
Step 1:
The amount of calories you require will vary with your age and weight. In order to calculate this place your weight in kilograms into one of the following equations
Age 18 ? 29 [(0.062 x weight) + 2.036] x 239
Age 30 ? 60 [(0.034 x weight) + 3.538] x 239
Age 60+ [(0.038 x weight) + 2.755] x 239
This will give you the amount of calories you need to consume on a daily basis.
Step 2:
The next item that is taken into consideration is your activity level. This is based on your occupational activity level and your non-occupational activity level. For example if you work in an office all day then your occupational activity level will be light. If however, you take some form of exercise in the evening this will be a non-occupational level of moderately active. See below for details.
Occupational Activity Level - light with a non-active non-occupational activity = 1.4 for both male and female
Occupational Activity Level ? Moderate with a moderately active non-occupational activity 1.7 for male and 1.6 for female
Occupational Activity Level ? Moderate/heavy with a very active non-occupational activity 1.9 for male and 1.7 for female
To calculate the amount of calories required based on your activity levels multiply your daily calories as per step 1 by the number in step 2.
Example: 1430 calories x 1.4 (light with non-active) = 2002 calories per day
Step 3:
For those wishing to lose or gain weight, the amount of calories required per day will need to be increased or decreased. The best way of doing this is to subtract 500 calories from your daily intake for weight loss and add 500 calories to your daily intake for weight gain. By reducing your calorie intake by 500 calories per day this will allow you to lose 500 grams (1lb) per week. Always remember if weight is lost slowly you are more likely to maintain the weight loss. Crash dieting is not the answer.
Step 4:
The final step in this process allows you to calculate how many grams of fat your daily calorie intake should have and how much should be carbohydrates.
No more than 35% of the calories consumed on a daily basis should be made up of fat. To calculate this, multiply your calories per day by 0.35 and divide the answer by 9. This will give you your grams of fat per day.
At least 50% of the calories you eat should come from carbohydrates. To calculate this, multiply your calories per day by 0.5 and divide the answer by 3.75.
By following these four steps you now have the exact amount of calories you should be consuming on a daily basis. You will soon be losing your unwanted weight and maintaining a healthy and balanced diet in the process.
Amanda Evans is the webmaster for http://www.amandawrites.com and has also just published her first book titled From Those Death Left Behind to aid those who have suffered a loss from suicide.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhen you talk about losing weight you're really talking about... Read More
To lose weight and get in shape you must have... Read More
This Article was originally Published in The July 2004 Issue... Read More
Protein is an essential nutrient necessary for maintaining good health.... Read More
April 14, 2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal... Read More
Trash Your TV! is pleased to announce the easiest weight... Read More
I'm sure you have heard it before, but one of... Read More
There are several factors in winning at weight loss. Sometimes... Read More
There are lots of dieters, trying every sort of plan... Read More
Several months ago I was in desperate need of weight... Read More
You've seen them a hundred times: "Before" and "After" pictures.... Read More
There are certain eating habits that can make you gain... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze... Read More
If I Want to Lose Weight, What Can I Do... Read More
Visualizing and Declarations are today's topics.Visualize what you want as... Read More
Individuals who are interested in bariatric surgery need to be... Read More
Now I know you're always asking yourself questions.You know the... Read More
If you knew when you were going to die, would... Read More
If you are among the millions of people searching for... Read More
One way of recognizing a fad diet is... Read More
Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More
Life is great, isn't it? Stop and just look around... Read More
If you've been enjoying life after gastric bypass surgery you... Read More
We are a large people. 65% of us are overweight,... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..Staying Toned After Weight Loss ---------------------------------------- Following significant weight loss,... Read More
I just came back from three days in Las Vegas.... Read More
"I eat like a bird, why do I gain weight?"... Read More
I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More
Gastric bypass patients often find themselves regaining weight soon after... Read More
I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
Fat does Not Make You Fat. One of the other... Read More
The words I read made me furious. There it was,... Read More
You are the GREATEST, aren't you? You are focusing on... Read More
A question from one of our readers:Dr. Mericle,With respect to... Read More
Choosing the right diet type is the most important decision... Read More
Weight Loss ? Basic Lessons for Sustained SuccessWeight loss is... Read More
I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
You can overcome the desires of your sweet-tooth by incorporating... Read More
You have been on diets before. You probably have lost... Read More
Do you know what the words really mean on food... Read More
Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting... Read More
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an... Read More
Here are 5 solutions to slimming:1. Set Mini-Goals: Try setting... Read More
Axiom Number One - Nourish your body.Probably the most important... Read More
Want to shed that beer belly? Why not try the... Read More
After weight loss surgery it is important to include as... Read More
If you have been eating as usual and the pounds... Read More
Think for a moment about the highest mountain you ever... Read More
What if by making a few small changes in your... Read More
Weight Loss |