The amount of calories a person should have a day varies depending on factors like age, gender, activity level, and weight goals. On average:
- Women typically need between 1,600 and 2,400 calories per day.
- Men generally need between 2,000 and 3,000 calories per day.
These ranges depend on how active the person is, with more active individuals requiring higher amounts within these ranges. For weight maintenance, calorie intake should match calories burned. For weight loss, a calorie deficit is needed, and for weight gain, more calories than burned are required. Eating fewer than 1,200 calories per day for women or 1,500 for men is generally not recommended without medical supervision, as it may not provide enough nutrients.
