Calories are the amounts of energy that people get from the food or drinks they consume and utilize in their physical activities. The amount of calories the human body needs to work varies depending upon factors such as physical activity and age, etc.
Intake of high-calorie food can easily promote weight gain. Similarly, less intake of calories than the required amount can lead to several deficiencies in the body. Therefore, for better health must know how many calories you need per day.
Your caloric intake is determined by the type and amount of food you eat and how you consume them. Therefore, to keep a check and balance on your food, you must know the number of calories that a specific food or beverage contains.
Table of Contents
How many calories do you need?
According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women need 1600-2400 calories per day, while men need 2000-3000 per day. But, it varies depending on different factors. Some of the most common factors that affect caloric requirements are listed below:
- Gender
- Age
- Food type
- Physical activity
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Fat-Muscle Ratio
- Bone density
- Sleeping pattern
The following table indicates the number of calories for different age groups and genders.
Daily caloric requirements for women
| Age | Daily calorie requirements |
|---|---|
| 19–30 years | 2,000–2,400 calories |
| 31–59 years | 1,800–2,200 calories |
| 60+ years | 1,600–2,000 calories |
Daily caloric requirements for men
| Age | Daily calorie requirements |
|---|---|
| 19–30 years | 2,400–3,000 calories |
| 31–59 years | 2,200–3,000 calories |
| 60+ years | 2,000–2,600 calories |
Daily caloric requirements for Children
| Age | Daily calorie requirements |
|---|---|
| 2–4 years | Male: 1,000–1,600 calories Female: 1,000–1,400 calories |
| 5–8 years | Male: 1,200–2,000 calories Female: 1,200–1,800 calories |
| 9–13 years | Male: 1,600–2,600 calories Female: 1,400–2,200 calories |
| 14–18 years | Male: 2,000–3,200 calories Female: 1,800–2,400 calories |
To calculate the number of calories you should eat, click on the link below:
The founder of Health Crescent, Azra Khan is a freelance writer and passionate biochemist with a keen interest in promoting well-being through informed choices and creating health and wellness awareness.