Food labels typically include the phrase “Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.”
TheFDAuses the 2,000-calorie reference value as a general guideline, not as a hard rule.
But what would happen if you actually followed these guidelines?
The answer depends on what your current diet looks like.
Different people have different nutritional needs depending on their age, activity levels, and overall health.
For example, some athletes consume 5,000 or 6,000 calories per day and still look lean.
Energy requirements may also increase during pregnancy or when you’re stressed.
A 2,000-calorie diet can lead toweight lossor weight gain, depending on the factors listed above.
What matters most is where those calories come from, notesHarvard Medical School.
If that applies to you, then you’ll most likely lose weight after cutting calories.
TheMayo Clinicsays that 1 pound of fat equals 3,500 calories.
Let’s say you normally eat 3,600 calories a day.
That means you could lose about 3 pounds in seven days or 12 pounds per month.
Again, these numbers are not set in stone.
Your age, activity level, body composition, eating habits, and metabolic rate all come into play.
For example, athletes and active individuals typically burn more calories at rest compared to the average person.
Regular exercise builds lean mass, which in turn canspeed up your metabolism.
Yet, many people go on crash diets that provide fewer than 1,200 calories per day.
However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Think of it as a way to “reset” your metabolism.
Fitness models and other athletes usuallyincrease their energy intakeafter dieting for long periods.
When you eat too few calories, your body becomes more efficient at storing energy.
As a result, your metabolic rate decreases, and the pounds start to add up.
Plus, they deprive your body of essential nutrients.
She warns thatsevere calorie restrictionmay result in heart problems, gallstones, and low energy, among other issues.
“Calories fuel the body.
A diet that provides 2,000 calories a day might be exactly what you oughta regain your energy.
It all comes down to what you eat.
Consider your activity level, too.
Fill up on whole foods to nourish your body and get steady energy throughout the day.
Most importantly, limitempty calories.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available.
