Calorie Counting Guide: Intake for Muscle & Weight Loss

Determining how many calories you need depends on your fitness goals, whether you are a marathon runner or a weightlifter. Use intake formulas to calculate your needs for muscle gain or sustainable weight loss.

The Effects of a 500-Calorie-Per-Day Diet

Published Jul,08 2011 | By Suzanne S. Wiley

Very low calorie diets, or VLCDs, have calorie intakes of less than 800 calories per day, with a few going up to 1,000. They are typically administered when someone who is obese needs to lose a lot of weight quickly for medical reasons, such as undergoing surgery or fending off immediate health concerns.