Nutrisystem Helps You Answer; How Many Calories Should I Really Eat to Lose Weight?

When it comes to weight loss, there are no quick fixes. The real magic happens with math, and that math is calories: How much energy your body takes in and burns off. When your body is using more energy than it takes in, you lose weight. So, in order to lose weight, we need to ask ourselves: How many calories should I be eating to reach my weight loss goals? The answer is more nuanced than people might think. That's why Nutrisystem goes beyond simple calorie counting. Their weight loss plan includes pre-prepared meals with tasty foods like pizza and ice cream that are designed to contain the exact number of calories that will lead to weight loss success. Nutrisystem also focuses on portion sizes and the kinds of ingredients, like foods full of fiber and protein, that help you feel satisfied without sabotaging your weight loss.

So, what about these online calorie calculators? You're probably wondering why can't I just track my calories myself? Keeping track of your calories seems easy, but people are notoriously bad at it: In a report from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists found that people reported eating far fewer calories than they actually consumed. With Nutrisystem's meals, you don't have to measure calories or portion sizes, since all of the meals are already made and portioned for you to lose weight.

While on Nutrisystem, your caloric intake will remain consistent, typically around 1200 calories for women and 1500 calories for men. Health organizations recommend consuming this amount of calories for a healthy weight loss rate of 1-2 pounds per week--anything less than that and you risk putting your body into starvation mode (and then you'll stubbornly hold on to weight!). When the math is done the right way for you, it simply works.

It's crucial to remember that it's not just about the number of calories, but also the kinds of calories you consume that can make or break a successful diet (eating 1200 calories worth of chips will not do the trick!). That's why Nutrisystem meals are high in fiber and protein, nutrients that help you feel fuller and satisfied even when you're on a diet plan. But—and this is key—the Nutrisystem meal plan is specially designed by a team of nutritionists to have fewer calories than you are used to consuming, because no matter what any fad diet promises, you can't lose weight with an unlimited amount of fat and calories.

If you do want some extra education on how calories affect your diet and weight loss, the even better news is that Nutrisystem also has its own free tracking app, NuMi. Nutrisystem success stories have found long lasting results using NuMi to help log their meals, including incorporating added grocery items and flex meals, in addition to having another tool to help build healthy habits like increased water intake and physical activity. NuMi will also get you access to hundreds of healthy recipes, weight loss tips from their dietitians and even exclusive discounts.

When it comes to the science of weight loss, there's no reason why you should have to embark on the journey alone. Let Nutrisystem do the math so that you can see the magic.

UPDATE: The awesome folks at Nutrisystem are extending a special offer to our readers.Follow this link to receive 40% OFF the one-time rate with new 4 week auto-delivery order!

This content is sponsored by Nutrisystem.