![A prolonged 1,500 calorie-per-day diet can slow metabolism, so it is best to only do it short-term. This type of diet would be considered a low-calorie diet, which must be carefully planned with a doctor.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/fruit-scale-weight-loss-eating-healthy-diet.jpg?output-quality=75)
A 1,500 calorie per day diet would be considered a low-calorie diet, which must be carefully planned in order to ensure dieters get the necessary nutrients their bodies need.
When properly planned, a low-calorie diet may offer some health benefits, such as weight loss, management of blood sugar levels in diabetics, improved cholesterol levels, and reduced risk of some cancers.
How Many Calories Should I Eat a Day?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, updated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services every five years, estimates the following calorie needs:
- 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day for adult women and
- 2,000 to 3,200 calories per day for adult men.
There are a number of factors that determine how many calories per day adults need.
- The low end of the calorie range may be sufficient for sedentary adults, while active adults may need calories at the higher end of the range
- Younger adults need more calories than older adults
- People who are taller usually need more calories than people the same age who are shorter
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need more calories
Is a 1,500 Calorie Diet Safe?
A prolonged 1,500 calorie-per-day diet can slow metabolism, so it is best to only do it short-term. Risks to consuming too few calories may include:
- Inadequate nutrition
- Fatigue/tiredness
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Preoccupation with food
- Fertility problems in women
1,500 calories per day would be considered a low caloric intake for most people and would generally not be recommended for the long term.
For people who need to lose weight, talk to a doctor or a dietitian to determine the right caloric intake based on age, height, activity level, sex, current weight, and desired weight loss.
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https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/dietary-guidelines-and-myplate/how-many-calories-do-adults-need
https://www.fda.gov/media/112972/download
https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/previous-dietary-guidelines/2015
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/eat/calories.htm
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/calorie-restriction-and-fasting-diets-what-do-we-know
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/it-safe-eat-1-200-calories-day-a7346656.html
https://archive.org/details/dietandhealthwi00petegoog