Calorie deficit Topic

U1194057476 01/09/23
Hello,

Can someone please explain a caloric deficit and how to do it in a simple way? I’ve been trying to Google it, but I think I’m over thinking the concept.

U1194129265 01/09/23
Multiply your weight by 15 and that’s your maintenance calories (what you eat to sustain your body weight). Subtract your maintenance by 500 and that should be a good deficit for an average person. Bc you are eating less than your maintenance you body uses fat to fuel itself and burns fat.

DavidsNutrition 01/09/23
In simple terms..

A calorie deficit is simply an intake of calories that is below the rate at which you burn calories in a day.

For me as a 200lb athletic man, I burn around 2850 calories a day and for the average man this number is probably around 2400.

For me a calorie deficit would be a daily intake of calories that is less than 2800 and this calorie deficit would lead to a decrease in my non-water body weight.

Dietician 01/10/23
Hi U1194057476,

A calorie is simply a measure of food energy.

Body weight will go up, down, or stay the same, depending on how many calories you consume relative to the calories you need to support metabolism and exercise-your weight maintenance calories.

Desired Result What's Needed How It Happens
Weight loss Calories deficit Calorie intake is less than weight maintenance calories

Weight gain Calories surplus Calorie intake is greater than weight maintenance calories

Weight maintenance Calories balance Calorie intake matches weight maintenance calories

Here's an article if you want to read more about it.

https://www.mynetdiary.com/calorie-planning.html

Does this help? Have a happy, healthy day! Brenda (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Calorie deficit