Should I trust online calculators?

Heagter_masun

Just because I get different answers from each one. Some say 3100 calories to maintain, 2800, 2500, 2100, or even just 900. I don't know which one to trust. And my dietitian is out of town. Any suggestions? Thanks

jmv7117

You could try reverse dieting. If MFP has you set at 1,200 calories plus your exercise calories then up your calories to 1,250 for a couple of weeks then 1,300 and so on until you get to your calculated TDEE. If you notice you gain then cut back the calories a little. That way you will establish your own TDEE. As long as you keep your activity close to the same, eat at that level for maintenance.

SezxyStef

try this calculation...keep in mind this only works if you are logging accurately...which means weighing solids and measuring liquids and choosing correct entries...

total calories consumed +( pounds lost x 3500)/# of days. (typically 3-6 weeks worth of data)

when I used this calculation it gave me 1995 and I ate on average 1700 a week and lost 3/4lb a week so I trust it.

richardheath

Just because I get different answers from each one. Some say 3100 calories to maintain, 2800, 2500, 2100, or even just 900. I don't know which one to trust. And my dietitian is out of town. Any suggestions? Thanks

I'd suggest maybe you put different activity levels or something into those calculators to get those widely different results? Depending on the formula they use, they'll probably never give exactly the same answer, but if you put the same info into each, they should be closer than that.

Bottom line though: they are all estimates. They are to be used as a "best guess" and then adjusted as necessary to get the rate of loss/gain (or maintenance) applicable for you.

But since you say your dietitian is out of town, does that mean that you've talked to them already? What did they suggest? How many cals are you currently eating, and is it giving an appropriate result? How long have you been eating at that level for?

Branstin

I suggest that you pick one and stick to it for a while and make adjustments as needed.