Calories are the energy in food and beverages, allowing you to move, breathe, and survive. The number of calories a person needs per day varies depending on several factors, such as age, height, weight, sex, and activity levels.

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How Many Calories Does Everyone Need?

Figuring out your daily caloric needs can be done in several ways. Different equations are available to determine your basal metabolic rate (the amount of calories you need to breathe and survive daily). Then, you may do additional calculations based on your height, weight, sex, and physical activity level.

A simpler way to determine your calorie needs is to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). This provides an estimated number of calories per day for healthy individuals based on

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