How Many Calories Should I Eat? Your TDEE Guide

Find out how many calories you should eat each day using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, TDEE multipliers, and goal-based adjustments for lasting results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate how many calories I should eat per day?
Start by estimating your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, then multiply by an activity factor to get your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). Adjust that number up or down depending on whether you want to gain weight, lose weight, or maintain.
Is 1,200 calories a day enough for weight loss?
For most adults, 1,200 calories is too low and can slow your metabolism, cause muscle loss, and trigger nutrient deficiencies. A moderate deficit of 300 to 500 calories below your TDEE is safer and more sustainable.
Why am I not losing weight even though I eat fewer calories?
Common reasons include underestimating portion sizes, forgetting liquid calories, metabolic adaptation from prolonged dieting, and overestimating calories burned through exercise. Tracking intake accurately for two weeks usually reveals the gap.
How often should I recalculate my calorie needs?
Recalculate every four to six weeks, or whenever your weight changes by more than five pounds. As you lose or gain weight, your BMR shifts, and your calorie target should shift with it.
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