Thursday, January 29, 2009

How To Calculate Your Calories & Fat per Day

Assess your activity level, first. This formula will help you to calculate the number of calories and percentage of fat grams you need each day at your current weight if you are relatively inactive to moderately active.

Moderately active person = a working person who doesn't do a great deal of exercise
Relatively inactive person = a person with a sedentary lifestyle

If you're more than moderately active, calorie needs may have to be adjusted so that you don't lose weight. To determine the number of calories and fat grams you need to consume each day in order to lose or gain weight, consult your doctor or a registered dietitian.

To maintain your current weight, follow this formula:

Write your body weight in the equation that fits your activity level and gender. Then, multiply.

Moderately active male:_____ pounds x 15 calories = _____ total calories per day.
Moderately active female:____ pounds x 12 calories = _____ total calories per day.
Relatively inactive male:____ pounds x 13 calories = _____ total calories per day.
Relatively inactive female:____ pounds x 10 calories = _____ total calories per day.

Take total calories and multiply by 30 percent.____ calories per day x .30 = ____ calories from fat per day.

Take calories from fat per day and divide by 9 (there are 9 calories per gram of fat):____ calories from fat per day divided by 9 =____ fat grams per day.

Remember, saturated fats should account for only 10 percent of the total fat grams consumed.