What’s the right calorie intake for me?

There are a number of factors determine how many calories you should consume per day, here’s a run-through of what to consider.

The recommended daily calorie intake varies depends on a number of things:

- age

- gender

- how active you are

- how tall you are

- current weight

- whether you want to maintain your weight or slim down

The average guidelines are around 2,000 kcals a day for women, and 2,500 kcals a day for men.

By the mid-fifties, calories needed drop by around 400-500 calories a day.

If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to try and drop your intake by around 500 kcals a day and increase your activity.

To lose 1lb a week you need to aim for a negative calorie balance of around 500 calories per day.

This is the simplest and most effective approach to weight loss.

For pregnant women, it is recommended that calorie intake is increased by around 200 calories a day in the last trimester.

It’s advisable to consult your GP before embarking on any programme of weight loss, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.