Expert: George Rapitis, BSc. Nutritionist - 7/12/2004

Question
Thanks!  Just one more question, then I will leave you alone. :)  Let's say I do a 2,000 calorie a day diet. If I workout that day and burn, let's say, 400 calories on a treadmill & elliptical machine (those tell you the calories burned), can I now eat 2,400 calories for that day?  In fact, wouldn't it be bad for your health after a long workout of burning 600 calories to only eat 2,000 calories. Your body would need more wouldn't it.

-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Thanks for the replies. Have you ever heard of and what you recommend "nutricounter"? (www.nutricounter.com). My mom does Weight Watchers and I've sometimes tried that using the points system, but for whatever reason I have trouble staying on it.


-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi. I am about 215 pounds, 5'10".  If I want to lose between 1-2 pounds a week or more, how many calories and fat should I consume per day?
Answer -
Hello Rl!

    Thank you for your nutrition question.  I would need your age also in order to calculate your calories properly.  Or you can visit the following website and just enter your information there.  http://www.wvda.org/calcs/fcals.htm

Once you have entered your data you will know your proper daily caloric intake. Next you will need to subtract 500 calories from this number to give you the amount of calories you need to lose 1lb per week.  

*Try and remember that there are 3,500 calories in one pound.  So if you subtract 500 calories daily(7 days in a week), you will have lost 1lb per week.  Let me know if you have more questions.
-George Rapitis, nutritionist
http://www.juiceblend.com
Answer -
Dear Rl,

    I had a chance to check out the nutricounter website and it sounds like a very good product to help you monitor your intake and eat healthier.  There is also a another good website that can do this for you as well.  Check out www.fitday.com  I think you will find this website helpful because it keeps a journal of your meals for you. Keeping a journal is a very effective way to improve your diet.

Don't forget to consider trying Juice Plus also.  It has helped many people with eating healthier. The website for it is http://www.juiceblend.com  Let me know if ou have more questions.

-George Rapitis, Nutritionist

Answer
Dear Rl,
     
      It would be alright to burn off the 400 calories since the general rule of thumb for weight loss is to create a 300- to 500-calorie deficit each day. This means, consume 300 to 500 fewer calories than you expend. So if your calculations say that your daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories and you want to lose 1lb per week then you need to stay down to around 1,500 calories by exercise and eating small frequent meals.   Let me know if you need more information.
-George