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Dawn Jackson Blatner, Responds:
Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at Northwestern Memorial Wellness Institute and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, responds: Knowing the right number of calories to eat each day is the key to maintaining a healthy body weight. Our calorie needs vary depending on three major factors: gender, age, and activity level. Women normally need 1,600 to 2,400, and men 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day.
To find out your calorie needs, type in your gender, age, and activity level at MyPyramid Food Guidance System (www.MyPyramid.gov), the USDA Web site. You'll be guided to the number of grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meat and bean servings to aim for daily. And don't forget the other part of the healthy-weight equation: being active. Find ways to add exercise to your routine such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator and walking a few extra blocks.
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Dawn Jackson Blatner
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