Calorie Restriction Calculator
Calorie Restriction (CR) is a diet in which calorie intake is reduced, compared to diets that do not limit consumption. CR has been effective in extending the lifespan of many species through biochemical mechanisms. Mice fed calorically restricted diets generally outlive mice fed AL diets by significant margins. Many people have already adopted CR diets to stay healthy and hoping to prolong their lives. To practice CR safely, it is necessary to select foods that provide all the nutritional requirements, but which are low in calories.
You can calculate the level of calories you’re comfortable restricting with Tony Zamora’s calorie restriction calculator.
Calorie Restriction is an experimental procedure which should be implemented gradually. Reducing caloric intake quickly does not allow the metabolism to adjust to the caloric deficit. Sudden calorie restriction can create major health problems. In particular, persons who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 22 should be very cautious. Calories should be reduced by less than 5% (less than 100 calories) and maintained for at least four weeks before any additional reductions are made. Weight should be monitored daily, and nutrition should be tracked with software like CRON-o-Meter to make sure that the diet provides 100% RDA of all vitamins and minerals, at least 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight, and sufficient amounts of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. You should not restrict calories further if your BMI is below 19. On the contrary, you may need to increase your caloric intake to maintain your BMI within the normal range (from 18.5 to 24.9). Use the Calorie Restriction Calculator to determine your Percent Caloric Restriction (%CR). Do not exceed 16% CR since greater restriction can result in loss of structural tissue, including bones and muscles.
