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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that women don't actually need 2000kcal a day

306 replies

Croissantsfordinner · 07/04/2025 08:57

I am barely losing weight eating 1600kcal a day and most of the people I know who are slim and fit definitely do not eat 2000kcal (I am referring to family, friends, colleagues, what I read here on MN and also celebrities diet, lol). So where does this guideline come from?
Unless you are almost an athlete, I don't think all those calories are actually needed, AIBU?

OP posts:
MesmerisingMuon · 07/04/2025 09:02

The 2000 calories is based on an average sized female doing a sensible amount of exercise to stay a healthy size.

If you are shorter then clearly you need less. If you do more exercise then you need more etc...

I'm mid 40s, on my feet all day with work, kickboxing for 2 hours a week then go to the gym and always running round with my kids. I eat about 2500 calories a day to cover my activity level.

I love food so make sure I'm very active.

SnoozingFox · 07/04/2025 09:00

Depends on the individual, obviously.

Although this thread is catnip to the people who love to use words like "guzzle" "scoff", "hoover up" or "no wonder there's an obesity crisis", while simultaneously telling us they are absolutely stuffed to bursting on a lettuce leaf and a cup of green tea,

MidnightPatrol · 07/04/2025 09:00

I think it depends how sedentary your lifestyle is, and of course other factors like height, metabolism etc.

Cattenberg · 07/04/2025 08:59

LeaveTaking · 07/04/2025 08:58

Same here.
I don’t need anywhere near 2000 calories and I’m fairly active. I am very short though, which makes a big difference…. alongside my age.

I’m the same.

TheCurious0range · 07/04/2025 08:59

I think calorie calculation is often not accurate

LeaveTaking · 07/04/2025 08:58

Same here.
I don’t need anywhere near 2000 calories and I’m fairly active. I am very short though, which makes a big difference…. alongside my age.