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AIBU?

To think 2000 calories a day is a crazy amount of food.

352 replies

HairsprayBabe · 24/03/2017 14:04

The government guidelines are just not helpful when it comes to reccomending a healthy calorific intake. I have been dieting for the past 6 months and am proud to say I have lost over 4 stone not so stealth stealth brag

But anyway, the government recommends on average 2000 calories a day for women, even before I was watching what I ate I didn't eat that much (logged in MFP before diet proper started), and these days I would consider 1500 cals a treat day.

I know it is all linked to TDEE and BMR but I cannot believe that the average woman in the UK could happily eat 2000 calories a day and not gain weight! Where has this figure come from? It really is no wonder that obesity is on the rise.

So IABU is 2000 calories a normal amount of food or are my views skewed?

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EurusHolmes · 24/03/2017 14:05

Have you had your thyroid checked? 2,000 calories maintains my weight even when I'm fairly sedentary!

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EurusHolmes · 24/03/2017 14:06

If you eat too little too little you can actually slow your metabolism down

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expatinscotland · 24/03/2017 14:06

Yeah, YABU. Yes, your views are skewed. You sound like one of those food issue/orthorexia people now. What's it to you what other people need to eat to maintain their weight? Some people are athletic and can easily eat 2000 calories a day and be fit and healthy.

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llhj · 24/03/2017 14:08

Well you're talking cobblers to be honest. You've got something wrong with you if you gained 4 stone on 2000 a day.

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Xmasbaby11 · 24/03/2017 14:08

I don't think 2000 calories is much. If you're used to counting them you may feel it is, but I think it's easy to eat and drink well over that amount.

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Iwantausername · 24/03/2017 14:08

anything over 1400-1500 for a long ish period and I will gain weight. I weigh a healthy weight 'look' healthy and am quite short, so perhaps that is something to do with it (The shortness not the current healthy weight).
I do think the recommended amount could do with further checking, but I can well believe some people could get 2,000 per day and not gain. Its also important to note that 100 calories from a pizza is different to 100 calories from kale. It goes on what you eat really.

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Ilovehamabeads · 24/03/2017 14:09

No 2000 calories is not a normal amount for me either. 1500 roughly is my maintaining amount. I guess it's based on averages through, And I am shorter and lighter than average.

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Iwantausername · 24/03/2017 14:09

I also think it can cause issues if someone eats 2000 calories but doesn't do the recommended amounts of exercise

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noeffingidea · 24/03/2017 14:09

Well, obviously it depends on factors such as size and level of activity. A small woman in a sedentary occupation probably won't need 2000 calories a day. A larger woman in a physically demanding occupation will, or possibly need even more.
Government guidelines are just that, guidelines. I suspect they were formulated at a time when people were generally more active.

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SparkleTwinkleGoldGlitter · 24/03/2017 14:10

If I eat 2000 calories my weight will maintain

If I want to lose weight I stick to 1600-1700

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HairsprayBabe · 24/03/2017 14:11

That is what I meant Iwant

I am average height but if I ate 2000 cals a day I definitely gain, I suppose a lot of it is down to genetics as well.

It is the one size fit's all approach that I don't like.

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PotteringAlong · 24/03/2017 14:11

If you think you've had a treat day by only eating 1500 calories you're not having the right kind of treats...! Grin

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MsHooliesCardigan · 24/03/2017 14:12

I think it's very easy to eat 2000 calories a day. I was in M&S the other day to get a sandwich and a lot of them are well over 500 calories.

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Bluntness100 · 24/03/2017 14:12

2000 seems a healthy amount to me. Some days more some days less. Averaging out at 2000 a day per week.

And to be honest, if I'm in the mood I can do that in s morning,...😂

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HermioneJeanGranger · 24/03/2017 14:12

YANBU. 2000 calories is a lot of food!

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Greatwhiteworld · 24/03/2017 14:13

I personally find 2000 is enough if I am not doing anything, I need more if I am working in the garden or doing physical work

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Pinkheart5915 · 24/03/2017 14:14

2000 will keep my weight the same. If losing a few pounds I stick to about 1600

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themightymoog · 24/03/2017 14:14

Its also important to note that 100 calories from a pizza is different to 100 calories from kale.


How?

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HairsprayBabe · 24/03/2017 14:14

That is a good point Cardigan it is much easier to eat more calories of calorie dense food like pizza or chips than it is to eat 2000 calories worth of Kale Grin

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gleam · 24/03/2017 14:15

It's interesting how it's changed. They used to recommend 2000 cals for a man and 1500 for a woman.
If you were dieting, it was 1500 for a man and 1000 for a woman.

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HairsprayBabe · 24/03/2017 14:15

I didn't know that gleam when did it change?

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Nabootique · 24/03/2017 14:16

I have to eat 2500+ to maintain my weight. Less and I lose weight, and no, there isn't anything wrong with me or my thyroid, and I have a sedentary job. Everyone is different.

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LagunaBubbles · 24/03/2017 14:16

YABU. 2000 calories is not a lot of food for someone whos not dieting Obesity is on the rise not because people are eating more than their body is using up.

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BeautyQueenFromMars · 24/03/2017 14:16

You get a lot less pizza than kale if you're eating 100 calories of each! Grin

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BarbarianMum · 24/03/2017 14:17

I gain weight on 2000 calories a day now I'm older (and have a more sedentary life). 15 years ago it was fine.

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