
Losing two pounds a day is a challenging goal, and it's important to remember that experts consider a safe rate of weight loss to be one to two pounds per week. To lose weight healthily, it's recommended that you eat at least 1,200 calories a day (1,500 for men) and focus on eating plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables, which are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre.
What You'll Learn
Calorie counting
To lose 2 pounds a week, it is recommended that you eat 500 to 1,000 calories less than your total weight-maintenance calories. To calculate your weight-maintenance calories, multiply your current weight by 15. This is the number of calories per pound of body weight needed to maintain your current weight if you are moderately active.
It is important not to go below 1,200 calories a day for women and 1,500 for men. To lose weight, it is recommended that you eat high-protein, high-fibre foods, which will keep you feeling fuller for longer.
You can also lose weight by eating more fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre.
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High-protein, high-fibre foods
Losing 2 pounds a day is not recommended, but a healthy weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week. To achieve this, it is recommended to eat high-protein, high-fibre foods, which can help you feel fuller for longer.
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Heart-healthy eating
Losing 2 pounds a day is not recommended and may be unhealthy. However, you can lose 2 pounds a week by following a heart-healthy diet.
A heart-healthy diet should include a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, grapefruit, mango and oats. You can also include eggs, hummus and whole wheat toast. Aim for at least 1,200 calories a day, and make sure to track your calorie intake.
To lose 2 pounds a week, you should consume 500 to 1,000 calories less than your weight-maintenance calories. This can be calculated by multiplying your current weight by 15. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should consume around 2,250 calories a day to maintain your weight. To lose 2 pounds a week, you would need to consume 1,750 to 2,250 calories a day.
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The Harris Benedict equation
Losing 2 pounds a day is not recommended. Experts say that a safe rate of weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds a week. To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. The Harris Benedict equation is a formula that uses your height, weight, age and gender to calculate your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Your BMR is the number of calories you burn at rest. Once you have your BMR, you can multiply it by a number that corresponds to your activity level to get your total daily energy expenditure. This is the number of calories you need to consume to maintain your current weight. To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than this.
BMR = 655.1 + (9.563 x weight in kg) + (1.850 x height in cm) - (4.676 x age in years)
The original Harris Benedict equation was published in 1918 and 1919. It has since been revised by Roza and Shizgal in 1984, and Mifflin and St Jeor in 1990.
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Fruit and vegetables
Losing 2 pounds a day is not recommended, but you can lose 1-2 pounds a week by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Fruit and vegetables are a great way to do this. They are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre, which lower blood pressure and cholesterol. They also help you stay slim.
You should aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. This can include fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced fruit and vegetables. For example, you could snack on an apple, pear, banana or handful of berries. Or try adding a portion of vegetables to your meal, such as a side salad, steamed broccoli or carrots.
Fruits and vegetables are also a great way to add flavour and nutrition to your meals. For example, you could add chopped fruit to yoghurt or porridge, or use vegetables to make a healthy soup or stir-fry.
It's important to remember that everyone's calorie needs are different, so make sure you're getting the right amount of calories for your body and activity level.
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Frequently asked questions
Women should eat at least 1,200 calories a day, and men should eat at least 1,500. To lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, your food consumption should provide 500 to 1,000 calories less than your total weight-maintenance calories.
High-protein, high-fibre foods are a good choice, as they keep you feeling fuller for longer. You should also eat lots of fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre.
Try mango oatmeal: cook 1/2 cup oats in 1/2 cup 1% milk + 1/2 cup water.
Try an egg, hummus, and spinach sandwich: spread 2 tbsp hummus on 1 slice whole-wheat toast. Top with 1/4 cup baby spinach + 1 egg fried in 1 tsp olive oil. Drizzle with 1/4 tsp Sriracha or hot sauce. Eat with 1/2 grapefruit.
First, multiply your current weight by 15. This is roughly the number of calories per pound of body weight needed to maintain your current weight if you are moderately active.