A 1,200-calorie diet is much too low for most people. It can result in negative side effects, like dizziness, extreme hunger, nausea, micronutrient deficiencies, fatigue, headaches, and gallstones ( 23 ). Furthermore, a 1,200-calorie diet can set you up for failure if long-term weight loss is your goal.Jun 11, 2020
How many calories should I take to lose weight?
To lose one pound of weight per week, you should consume approximately 1,500 calories per day. Active women who walk for over 3 miles per day need to consume at least 2,200 calories to maintain their weight. To lose one pound of weight per week, you should consume approximately 1,700 calories per day.
How many calories should I eat a day by age?
Calorie Intake Chart
Sex (at birth) |
Age (years) |
Moderately Active |
Child |
2-3 |
1,000-1,400 |
Female |
4-8 9-13 14-18 19-30 31-50 51+ |
1,400-1,600 1,600-2,000 2,000 2,000-2,200 2,000 1,800 |
Male |
4-8 9-13 14-18 19-30 31-50 51+ |
1,400-1,600 1,800-2,200 2,400-2,800 2,600-2,800 2,400-2,600 2,200-2,400 |
Jan 23, 2024
An ideal daily intake of calories varies depending on age, metabolism and levels of physical activity, among other things. Generally, the recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.