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

[HairsprayBabe]

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?

Funny: I've always thought it was a bit meagre as a recommended general calorie allowance, but I am tall and, at least before pregnancy, was pretty active (though not exactly sporty). I think I eat more like 2500 normally (and am on slim side, BMI around 19/20). But as I head into my 40s maybe this will change! Hope not, because I can't see how you can fit three meals a day and and into fewer calories!

2000 calories isn't enough.

I push 3000-4000 on a really bad day 5000

Bloody hell, Toobloodytired, now we understand why that's your talk name.

Post here your typical meal plan. I would get bored witless trying to eat so much.

The guidance is too general - everyone comes in their own shape and size, suspect it is done on the 'average' woman's height and build and 'average' levels of activity. If you sit all day in an office and drive to and from work, then sit all evening watching TV you are likely to be more sedentary and need less calories. Same thing if you are 5'1 vs 6'1 (me) still a woman but not the same thing at all. I've been overweight and was probably eating around 4000 calories a day - am eating around 2000 now and steadily losing weight. Horses for courses.

I think 2000 calories is a lot and would gain weight on this. I am 5' 1" though and 8 stone, so I'm under the average weight/height so it is to be expected. Officially I need 1800 calories but think in reality I eat 1600 and maintain my weight.

I burn 52 calories an hour when sleeping, resting and about 90 when moving around.

So by burning approx 1700 a day I would gain weight on 2000

I'm reducing now by eating 1300 a day.
I hope when I'm where I want to be I can maintain at 1600

Of course, when you lose weight you need to cut your calorie intake a bit as if you've lost 4 stone, you're not putting extra energy into lugging round a heavy 4 stone back pack 24/7...or increase your burn.

Basal metabolism is what your body uses just staying alive. I was involved in a medical trial many years ago and mine was tested. I was obese at that point and I'm short (151 cm). My basal metabolism was 1800 kcal a day. Since then I lost a lot of the excess weight and I know my BM has dropped. If I ate 2000 kcal a day I would be the size of a house.

I'm the same, am 5ft 2 & naturally don't eat 2000 cals/day. I thyroid issues & my weights been the same for 20+ yrs excluding pregnancies. I think I'm around 1500-1700 & I would put on weight with 2000 cals/day. If u r short & naturally slight u do need fewer calories.

Toobloodytired talk us through your day, I am fascinated!

i can easily far exceed this and still still feel hungry, different for different people, i do try to stick to however every day, ongoing battle though!

I agree with the op, 2000 calories is quite a lot, but obviously depends on size, age, activity levels etc. For me, quite small frame, middle aged not very active I think my calorie needs are about 1400 max. Easy enough to put on 4 stone if you are eating 600 calories per day excess ( that's about a pound a week weight gain.....).

It depends on lifestyle, surely? I remember a time in my life when I was working at archaeological digs at uni - heavy physical work. I was going through 8000 a day and losing weight on that, But that was hacking at soil all day and lugging 20 lb bags of flint up steep hills.

But this annoys me, I have friends who are smaller than me and think me, and others, are merely greedy for eating more than they do, bigger portions, snacking (Even if healthy snacking). I am almost 6ft and can eat for England. It doesnt mean I am greedy or have a food issue. I feel my body needs to eat every couple of hours tops, without this I would feel terrible and lethargic throughout the day. My BMI is within the right scale so dont feel I am doing much wrong by eating what I eat.

You cannot judge 2000 calories on being too much simply because your body tells you so. Its not the case for many others.

It's average to maintain.

I am 5ft 2 and currently overweight, I way just under 11 stone. On a typical day at my desk job, that I drive to, I burn about 1700 cals. According to my fit bit and online calculators etc.

So can easily see someone who is more average in height and is a touch more active than me needing 300 cals a day more.

I am actively trying to lose weight, today I burnt over 3000 calories (day off work, run and running about in the back garden)

It's also really easy to eat 2000 calories, and still not be full, "healthy" smoothie have a lot to answer for in my opinion!

Oh and I am overweight because I have regularly been consuming more than 1700 calories a day... Not because I think I need 2000.

Blame having a toddler, long days in the office 5x a week, working from home, physical and mental exhaustion and being able to order a takeaway in 2 taps of my phone.. (Just eat you have a lot to answer for!!)

I am calorie counting at the moment, aiming for 1200 a day but it's usually between 1200 and 1500, weight is slowly coming off with exercise five days.. if I eat 2000 cals a day I gain weight, I can easily eat 2000,I have a huge appetite 😔

I'm a big fan of 5:2
I've used it for nearly 5 years
but it does involve understanding your individual TDEE

if more people did, there would not be an obesity crisis in this countrry

So interesting this thread. some lucky lucky people on here. 2500 and maintaining, wow! Anything over 1500 I gain quite quickly. I lose at below 1300 if I exercise, but it needs to be weight lifting not cardio. 5 foot 8. if you are heavier you can eat more. www.calculatorpro.com/calculator/katch-mcardle-bmr-calculator/
this link calculates your Basal Metabolic Rate Calculator (calories at resting rate no exercise), but you need to know your fat percentage. mine comes out at 1324 so much lower than 2000.

I just used a website to calculate my TDEE - apparently I should be eating around 1350 calories, and 2000 is reserved for if I'm an "athlete" . And yet... I easily eat 2000 a day and am a size 6-8. Go figure.

I think it probably only works as a basic calculation (like BMI - works out statistically right, on a population level). In my case I think the crazy differential is because I have quite a lot of muscle (used to be very active) and so use up calories being pretty sedentary.

Either that or I have worms.

Although obviously larger people do have larger calorie needs. I used to sit next to someone who was a foot taller than me and I was frankly appalled by how much she ate. But she was slim.

My DS has eaten at least 3,500 today! But then he is 14, growing like a weed and putting on muscle through lots of exercise. Different people need different amounts. 2,000 is about right for me but I am above average height and semi active.

I think it is a guideline figure recommended as a safety net, and as a safety net, it is a good idea.

It means anybody eating that amount who needs it will be bound to get enough - say for example, a young mother, up from morning till late, never off her feet. She would definitely probably need that amount, and less might be bad for her.

It is up to individuals to work out what they need.

In my opinion, older women, especially with low activity levels need less. Most women after the menopause work that out for themselves though.

I run around all day on my feet and can happily eat 2000+ and still lose weight. If you sit on your arse all day, and do little exercise then this may be different

Pointythings, you weren't losing weight on 8000 calories. That amount is way too high for a male pro bodybuilder to bulk on, as they would gain too much fat no matter how much they lifted. There are 3500 calories in a pound of fat - you would have quickly become huge on 8000 cals.

"Older women, especially with low activity levels, need less".
Oh yes indeedy.

It is SO much harder when you're older.

You're likely to be stiffer, achier, as well so less motivated. You're probably less toned. Your bones may thinner. Your metabolism is slower due to decreased muscle mass. It's a pita.

I used to be able to drop about half a stone in a week. Now? It takes me about two months. It's soul-destroying.