Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by SHVETS production Pexels Logo Photo: SHVETS production

Is 1500 calories a day enough for weight loss?

According to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most adult females require between 1,600 and 2,000 calories, and adult males between 2,000 and 2,400 calories, per day. Consequently, most people will lose weight following a 1,500- to 1,800-calorie diet.

How do I curb my appetite and cravings?
How do I curb my appetite and cravings?

13 Science-Based Ways to Reduce Hunger and Appetite Eat enough protein. ... Opt for fiber-rich foods. ... Drink plenty of water. ... Choose solids...

Read More »
How do I detox my liver in 7 days?
How do I detox my liver in 7 days?

How to support the liver naturally? Day 1: Drink more water and less alcohol. ... Day 2: Drink two cleansing teas per day. ... Day 3: Eat two...

Read More »

See what a day's worth of food looks like on a 1,500-calorie diet. Plus, get a sample meal plan to help you lose weight with healthy ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. When you're trying to eat better or lose weight, sometimes you just want someone to tell you what to eat. Following a meal plan that's designed by a registered dietitian is a great place to start, but first you need to know what your daily calorie goal is.

How to Calculate Your Daily Calorie Goal

According to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most adult females require between 1,600 and 2,000 calories, and adult males between 2,000 and 2,400 calories, per day. Consequently, most people will lose weight following a 1,500- to 1,800-calorie diet. If you want to be even more precise about how many calories you should eat each day to lose weight, this simple calculation will give you a daily calorie goal that can help you lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week. To estimate how many calories you need each day to stay at the weight you are right now, multiply your current weight by 12.

To lose 1 pound/week: Cut 500 calories/day.

To lose 2 pounds/week: Cut 1,000 calories/day.

Example:

If your current weight is 160 pounds and your goal is to lose 1 pound per week:

160 [lbs.] x 12 = 1,920 [calories]

1,920 [calories] – 500 [calories] = 1,420 calories

This formula is used in many clinical weight-loss trials and assumes the person using the equation is sedentary. If you're an active person, you may find you need more calories than what you calculated to feel satisfied during the day. In that case, you can multiply your weight by 15. However, the best gauge for whether you're at the right level is how satisfied you feel (you shouldn't be hungry all day!) and whether you're losing weight. If you're losing weight on 1,800 calories a day and you feel great, stick with that. This calculation is just a suggested starting point. As you lose weight, you may want to run the calorie-target calculation again since your calorie needs will have changed. Furthermore, talk with your health care provider or a registered dietitian for a more personalized calorie goal. For healthy weight loss, we don't advise losing more than 2 pounds per week. If you calculate a daily calorie goal that's less than 1,200, set your calorie goal at 1,200 calories. Below that, it's hard to meet your nutrient needs—or to feel satisfied enough to stick with a plan. Additionally, drastic caloric restrictions, less than 1,200 calories, increase your risk of nutritional deficiencies and health complications.

Can you get rid of a stomach apron without surgery?
Can you get rid of a stomach apron without surgery?

Pannus stomach can occur due to rapid weight changes or following a pregnancy. A person can take steps to ease their discomfort with supportive...

Read More »
What foods give you a small waist?
What foods give you a small waist?

However, incorporating belly fat-burning foods into your diet may help reduce belly fat. These include fruits, pulses, fish, beans, almonds, green...

Read More »

If you're unsure, start with a 1,500-calorie meal plan (a calorie level that most people will lose weight on in a healthy way). Here we show what a day's worth of food looks like on a 1,500-calorie diet. And when you're ready for more, try our 7-Day Diet Meal Plan to Lose Weight: 1,500 Calories.

Some original reporting by Nicci Micco, M.S.

Breakfast on a 1,500-Calorie Meal Plan

Avocado & Arugula Omelet

For breakfast, choose something between 300 and 350 calories.

Sample Breakfast:

Avocado & Arugula Omelet (344 calories)

1 cup green tea (2 calories)

TOTAL: 346 calories

Other breakfast ideas for a 1,500-calorie diet:

Morning Snack

Aim to keep snacks around 100 calories. Try these easy 100-calorie snack recipes.

Sample Snack:

1 medium apple, sliced and sprinkled with cinnamon (95 calories)

TOTAL: 95 calories

Lunch on a 1,500-Calorie Meal Plan

Roasted Veggie Mason Jar Salad

Aim to make lunch 350 to 400 calories. Try some of these great lunch ideas for work.

Sample Lunch:

TOTAL: 400 calories

Afternoon Snack

Use your afternoon snack to fill out the rest of the day's calories.

Sample Snack:

1 cup cucumber slices (16 calories)

1 medium carrot, cut into sticks (25 calories)

1/4 cup hummus (104 calories)

TOTAL: 145 calories

Dinner on a 1,500-Calorie Meal Plan

Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto Shrimp

Sample Dinner:

Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto & Shrimp (447 calories)

2 cups mixed greens (18 calories)

Dressing: 1 tsp. olive oil + 1 tsp. Dijon mustard + 2 tsp. red-wine vinegar + a pinch each of salt and pepper (49 calories)

TOTAL: 514 calories

Daily Total: 1,500 calories, 79 g protein, 91 g carbohydrates, 31 g fiber, 100 g fat, 2,026 mg sodium

Can you stop Saxenda cold turkey?
Can you stop Saxenda cold turkey?

Can I stop taking the injections cold turkey? Again, Saxenda isn't addictive, so you could, in theory, finish your treatment abruptly or 'cold...

Read More »
What are the first signs of water retention?
What are the first signs of water retention?

Symptoms of water retention can include: bloating, especially in the abdominal area. swollen legs, feet, and ankles. puffiness of the abdomen,...

Read More »
What is the best thing to do in the morning to lose weight?
What is the best thing to do in the morning to lose weight?

Morning Habits to Help You Lose Weight Hop on the Scale. 1/15. ... Drink a Glass (or 2) of Water. 2/15. ... Work Out Before Breakfast. 3/15. ......

Read More »
Can I eat rice everyday?
Can I eat rice everyday?

We're not talking toxic levels in one serving or anything scary like that, but eating rice a few times a day (every day) is not a good idea. Excess...

Read More »