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?

[RailwayCuttings]

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

That slowing down takes many months, Eurus. In fact Michael Mosely (medical investigator) recommends 600 calories a day for - I think - a month at least. And there's also the 5:2 and also fasting for one day a week.

[onceandneveragain]

2000 cals being 'a lot of food,' - well surely this varies hugely?

A starbucks or alternative special latte/frapp or whatver plus 'healthy,' breakfast bar, which can usually be as many calories as a bar of chocolate, can easily be nearly 600 calories before 9am.

The shop bought sandwich, crisps and full fat fizzy drink - another 1000 easily, while still feeling like quite a small, snacky lunch.

A salad with lots of dressing, and a two large glasses of wine - another 1000. A few teas with sugar throughout the day, maybe one cheeky biscuit and some pieces of fruit, and you've eaten 50% more than your recommended calorie intake while still not feeling like you've eaten loads.

On the other hand, 3000 calories could be about 15 bowls of thick veg soup, or 30 jacket potatoes with a smidge of butter - which would feel like a lot of food!

[Porpoiselife]

if I eat 2000 a day I gain weight. I eat around 1500 to maintain it

[grannycake]

Age is a huge factor as well. The older we get we need less calories. Hence the term "middle aged spread" I am a healthy weight but I certainly need to be more careful with what I eat compared to twenty years ago. I do have a sedentary job but I also cycle 30 miles or so on the weekends

[1AnnoyingOrange]

Yes I think I prob need 1600 - 1800 calories to maintain weight (BMI 23). I am quite active but no exercise and in sedentary job.

[floraeasy]

It's shocking how metabolism changes as you age and collect medication conditions.

I was an effortless BMI 19 until my mid-thirties. Ate like a horse - no idea how much as I never counted.

Now, however!!! Boo hoo, I'm around 1500 to try and shift weight gain. Not sure what I'll eventually need to maintain.

My condition means exercise is limited so I cannot rely on that to burn off more calories.

Happy days

[Kennington]

It is too much for me - I am 55kg and 5'5 and if I eat 2000 I would balloon and I am moderately active.
Am sure it was for a time when we had no central heating and were down the pit!

[almondpudding]

I eat around 2000 calories a day, and that seems about right with exercise to maintain weight.

I've never done any kind of low carb thing though. I find the protein vs. carbs dieting war irritating.

[PollyPerky]

Not time to read all the thread so apologies if this has been said already.

There was a lot of publicity about a month ago on this. The upshot was that in 2017 when most people are sedentary, compared with 100 years ago, the guidelines are dated. the advice was that for most people these calories are too much and that is one reason why people are obese because they think they can eat this many calories.

I eat maybe 1200 ( 3 meals of 400 cals) and some days a tiny bit more. But I'm old.

[ExConstance]

You need to work out the number of calories you as an individual would need to maintain weight - for me, short and 60 it is around 1600 unless I increase my exercise substantially. My mother is 91 and 4'11" - she only needs 1100 calories.

[CosyCoupe88]

Do you move much? Maybe you just have a very slow metabolic rate?

[Therealjudgejudy]

Agree with you totally OP.

I average 1200 cals a day. 1500 is a treat day for me also! I do have a very healthy diet though. 5'4 and 8 stone.

I think exercise has loads to do with it though.

[maggiethemagpie]

I think 2000 calories is sod all!

But then again, I don't believe counting calories is the way to go at all.

Since doing low carbing, I eat a high fat diet and have lost 4 stone and kept it off.

[ScoobyDoosTinklyLaugh]

I'm 5'7, not particularly muscly or active and I lose weight if I eat 2000 cals, I reguarly go over

1400 calories a day would be a horrendous crash diet to me and would make me feel shit and light headed.

[Onlyaplasticbagdear]

Lol. I could happily eat double that amount.

[sonyaya]

Sorry OP but it does sound like a brag about how little you eat.

Well done on the weight loss but 1500 calories a "treat day"? That can only be said for effect.

[Astoria7974]

If you're gaining that much on 2000 then you either can't be of average height or you are incredibly lazy (or maybe a mixture of both). Or more likely you are one of the many people who doesn't know how to measure and track their calorie intake. Using myfitnesspal isn't enough you have got to weigh every morsel of food that goes into your mouth, track every calorie on pre-packaged food, and count all the coffees and teas and drinks and snacks you have (1 Uk medium apple for example is between 150-200 cals).

[Astoria7974]

I am 5 7 have pcos and am very active. I will still lose on 1800-2000

[muttrat]

I thought it was 2000 for a man and 1500 for a woman? It always used to be that years ago.

[muttrat]

An apple has around 75 calories

[Onlyaplasticbagdear]

Er no an apple is not 150 cake

[Dulcimena]

I remember when 800-1000 calories was the recommended daily amount for a woman...

That was before vanity sizing took hold

[muttrat]

No way really? I am 52 and I remember 1500

[Wibblewobbles]

YANBU, 2000 calories is really high for the average woman, I think they need to revisit how much exercise a typical British woman does.

[Nancy91]

I agree it's a very high number and I would quickly gain weight if I ate that much. I eat 1400 to maintain and I'm active every day. I would be gaining a pound roughly every 6 days if I ate a surplus of 600 calories a day.