14/06/2026
I was delivering a corporate wellness session last week and we got talking about calorie requirements.
Many people are surprised to learn that the general government guidance is around 2,500 kcal per day for men and 2,000 kcal per day for women.
The important thing to remember is that these are population averages. They don't take into account your age, height, weight, body composition or activity levels.
That's why I introduced the group to Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), the number of calories your body needs each day just to keep you alive and functioning.
Knowing your BMR is a great starting point for understanding your own energy requirements, whether your goal is to improve health, manage weight, or optimise performance.
There are a number of calculators you can use online. Asda in the UK has one, as well as Superdrug in the UK.