Due to the growth in obesity, adolescents must learn how to maintain a healthy weight early. To cut calories, adolescents may be tempted to take severe measures.
Misinformation, diet misconceptions, and other factors might make it difficult for 17-year-olds to determine how many calories are needed for daily energy and development. Therefore, how many calories should a 17-year-old consume every day?
Females aged 17 require an average of 2,000 calories per day, whereas boys aged 17 require an average of 2,800 calories per day.
More or fewer calories may be required based on the amount of physical activity and other circumstances. Adolescents are rapidly shifting from adolescence to young adulthood at this point in their lives. Making significant efforts to establish healthy habits and eating choices can make living as a healthy adult simpler.
Want to know what 17-year-olds should eat? Read on to hear from a registered dietitian nutritionist about the caloric demands and good eating habits of 17-year-old adolescents.
How Many Calories Should a 17-Year-Old Eat In a Day:
For Boys
| Age | Not Active | Moderately Active | Active |
| 13 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 2,600 |
| 14-15 | 2,000 – 2,200 | 2,400 – 2,600 | 2,800 – 3,000 |
| 16-18 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 |
| 19 | 2,600 | 2,800 | 3,000 |
For Girls
| Age | Not Active | Moderately Active | Active |
| 13 | 1,600 | 2,000 | 2,200 |
| 14-18 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 |
| 19 | 2,000 | 2,200 | 2,400 |
Why Does Your Body Need Calories?
Calories provide the body with the fuel and energy necessary for growth, mobility, brain and heart function, and other biological functions.
Every day, your body converts calories into energy in three ways:
- BMR – around 50 to 80 percent of your total calories. These calories are required to fuel all bodily functions, including respiration, heartbeat, blood circulation, growth and repair, hormone levels, brain function, etc.
- 5 to 10 percent of total calories are consumed through digestion. Your body needs the energy to absorb, transport, utilize, and store nutrients when digesting meals and liquids.
- Physical activity—at least 20 percent of total calories burned. This includes daily tasks, household duties, taking the stairs, walking to school, and organized exercise. Depending on the type of sport, body mass, muscle mass, exercise intensity, play location, and the number of breaks, you can burn between 300 and 800 calories per hour during sports practice.
Difference Between Calories And Nutrients?
The calorie count of a food is determined by the combination of carbohydrates, protein, and fat it contains. Each gram of carbohydrates and protein contains four calories. Since fat delivers nine calories per gram, it is essential to consume nutrient-dense fats since calories from fat accumulate more quickly.
Teens require calories for fueling movement and body processes. Nutrients are required for essential bodily functions such as bone formation, wound healing, immune system support, organ growth, and energy production. Antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals are examples of nutrition.
Collectively, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are referred to as macronutrients. Vitamins and minerals are referred to as micronutrients.
It is crucial to remember that caloric are not the only indicator of how “healthy” a food is. Some foods (potato chips, fast food) are high in calories but low in nutrients, while others are high in nutrients but low in calories (cucumbers, celery, leafy greens).
How Many Calories Should a 17-Year-Old Try To Lose Weight Eat?
The more active a person is, the greater the calories needed to compensate for the loss. The USDA suggests that 17-year-olds take a minimum of 1,600 calories per day and more if they are physically active. Half of your plate should consist of fruits and vegetables for optimal health.
Is It Safe For a 17-Year-Old Female To Eat Less Than 1,500 Calories a Day?
Although 1,600 calories are the lowest recommended daily intake for adolescent girls, active girls should consume more. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, inactive teenage females between 18 need 1,600 to 1,800 calories daily, whereas active teenage girls need 2,200 to 2,400 calories daily.
Frequently Asked Questions-
1. How many calories should a 17-year-old try to lose weight eat?
Ans. The number of calories in a food depends on its carbohydrate, protein, and fat content; carbohydrates and protein both have four calories per gram, whereas fat has nine calories per gram.
It is essential that adolescents receive their calories from nutrient-dense foods, which are richer in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and limit their intake of added sugars, salt, and saturated fats. Fruits and vegetables, whole carbohydrates, low-fat or morbidly obese dairy products, and lean protein sources comprise a balanced diet.
2. Are 1500 calories enough for a 17-year-old?
Ans. Although 1,600 calories are the lowest recommended daily intake for adolescent girls, active girls may consume more.
3. How can a 17-year-old get skinny fast?
Ans.
Set Healthy, Realistic Objectives
Losing excess body fat is an excellent approach to improving one’s health
Cut Back on Sweetened Beverages
Increase Physical Activity
Nourish Your Body With Nutritious Foods
Don’t Avoid fat
Reduce Added Sugars
4. Can I lose weight fast at 17?
Ans. You have a higher metabolism than most of your older peers at 17. To avoid losing weight too quickly, you may need to adopt a modified version of a typical weight-loss regimen. To protect your health, attempt to lose weight at a rate of no more than 2 lb per week.
5. Is 1000 calories a day enough?
Ans. Vital biochemical functions, such as refilling hormone levels and constructing new tissues, necessitate at least 1,000 calories per day for nearly everyone. Daily activities such as housework, walking, and planting can also help you burn many calories.