I need help calculating my caloric intake. I am having a hard time figuring out if I am eating enough or not.
I generally stick to my daily C, P and F amounts but usually end up low in calories based on my age and fitness levels. I don't want to undereat but I also don't want to go over my daily amounts of P, C and F.

Question: Is it better to stick to my C, P and F amounts and be under in calories or is it better to meet my calorie goals and be over my P, C and F?

Age: 31
Weight:160
Height: 5' 8"
Activity level: Sitting most of the day but I do work out 5 days a week and burn about 500-600 calories a day.

How many calories should I eat daily?

Hi Janis,

Most calorie requirement references are based on the number of calories needed by a person who burns carbohydrate to produce all their energy (specifically to produce ATP, which fuels every movement of the body). ATP can be produced by burning carbonydrates and also by burning fat. A person who follows Zone principles burns fat to produce their ATP. One calorie of fat produces more ATP then one calorie of carbohydrate, so a person "in the Zone " requires less calories to make the same amount of energy that a person on a carbohydrate burniing diet makes from eating more calories. Stick with the amount of food recommended for you by the Zone Body Fat Calculator on this site. If you follow Zone principles and eat more than that requirement you will be overeating and pushing yourself toward increasing inflammation and gaining stored body fat.

Thank you so much for that advice! It seems like so few calories that I am eating but I am right in the Zone.
What you are saying is that it is more important to be in the Zone than it is to eat a certain amount of calories and that is what was confusing me.
Thank you!

You're welcome. What I'm saying is that when you follow the calculator reommendation and eat Zone balanced meals and snacks, you'll be getting all the protien you need to support your current muscle mass, plus the amount of carbohydrate and fat which will allow you to maintain stable blood sugar levels and acheive hormonal control (and you'll be getting all the calories you need). With the hormonal control comes lower inflammation levels, anti-aging benefits, appetite control, the elimination of cravings, increased energy levels, and more. If you eat more food than your body needs the extra calories, even those from protein and carbohydrate, will be converted into stored body fat. Excess stored stored body fat causes weight gain and increased inflammation levels in your body.

Sue. Thank you so much for all the knowledge you share with our members. You truly are a gem and a wealth of knowledge.

Thanks, Tech, my pleasure. Now, if only I could type, lol!

I have not counted a calorie in 6 months only counted my CPF and have lost 36 pounds. This is the first time in my life I havn't counted calories. It was a big change to get over, but I love my new way of life!

I thought I would post a little update to my question. I am in a weight loss challenge and the Zone Diet was recommended. I was following it perfectly and losing weight. My team coach noticed that I was eating under 1,200 calories a day (we track out food on Livestrong.com) and told me to up my calories and not worry if I go over on my C,P and F. I gained weight that week! I am definitely following the advice from Sue and moving forward will just keep track of my P, C and F and not worry about counting calories!! Thanks Sue, I should have just listed to you in the first place. For what it's worth...I am still down 7lbs in 4 weeks so I'm doing good. Just a little setback for one week!

You're welcome, Janua. Uou're making excellent progress. Keep up the good job!