Understanding the Energy Equation
Whether you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it's important to understand the connection between the calories your body takes in (through the foods you eat and the beverages you drink) and the calories your body uses (through normal body functions, daily activities, and physical activity).

Want to find out if you are at a healthy weight? Use our Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator.

Getting the Most Nutrition out of Your Calories
There is a right number of calories for you to eat each day. This number depends on your age, activity level, and whether you are trying to gain, maintain, or lose weight. You could use up the entire amount on a few high-calorie foods, but chances are, you won’t get the full range of vitamins and nutrients your body needs to be healthy.

Choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can from each food group each day – those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients, but lower in calories. Pick foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products more often.

For more information about food choices and appropriate calories, visit the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 and MyPyramid.gov.