So How Many Calories Does a Person Really Need?

How many calories do you need to maintain a healthy weight?


To MAINTAIN weight, see the calorie chart below. This chart represents calorie guidelines to maintain weight based on median height and weight -- a BMI of 21.5 for females and 22.5 for males – as well as activity level.

To LOSE weight -- about 1 pound a week -- reduce calories in the chart by 500 a day and become more physically active.

To GAIN weight, add 500 calories per day for each pound you want to gain per week.

For successful weight loss that you can maintain over time, experts recommend choosing foods that are lower in calories but rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients.


Gender             Age                  Sedentary*      Moderately Active*      Active*
Females          19-30                      2000               2000-2200                     2400
                  
                       31-50                     1800                2000                             2200
                         
                         51+                      1600                1800                             2000-2200


Males            19-30                       2400                2600-2800                    3000


                     31-50                       2200                2400-2600                    2800-3000


                     51+                          2000                 2200-2400                   2400-2800



*Sedentary means a lifestyle that includes light physical activity associated with typical activities of daily living. *Moderately active consists of walking 1.5 to 3 miles daily at a pace of 3 to 4 miles per hour (or the equivalent).
*An active person walks more than 3 miles daily at the same pace, or equivalent exercise.


Article shared by Hillary Kelly and was taken from http://www.webmd.com/diet/calories-chart