Calories are often the first consideration when trying to lose weight. This makes perfect sense since this caloric intake directly leads to weight gain or, conversely, to weight loss. Our explanations are designed to understand how to calculate your energy needs and understand how many calories you should eat each day to lose weight.
How many calories per day to lose weight? Calculate your energy needs
To find out how many calories you need each day, you need to estimate your energy needs. The good news is that certain scientific methods and calculations can estimate your daily energy needs with considerable accuracy.
Basal metabolism
Calculating your basal metabolic rate is critical. That is, your body requires the least amount of energy at rest to ensure its vital functions: digestion, posture, organ function, maintaining body temperature, etc.
physical activity level
To calculate how many calories your body needs each day, you also need to consider your level of physical activity. In fact, in addition to ensuring its vital needs, the body consumes extra calories associated with daily activities. Therefore, the basal metabolic rate estimated above must be multiplied by a factor corresponding to the daily activity level.
Counting calories to lose weight isn’t enough
Counting calories to lose weight isn’t enough. In fact, the body absorbs not only calories but most importantly nutrients. Caloric restriction is useless if the diet does not promote the consumption of nutrients necessary for bodily functions. In fact, a 50-calorie chocolate chip cookie and a 50-calorie apple are comparable in calorie level, but not in nutrient level.
Dietary protein, fat and carbohydrates as well as micronutrients are essential to maintain a good balance and promote healthy and sustainable weight loss.
