Being calorie-conscious is still considered to be the bedrock of a healthy diet, with the government recommending 2,500 kcals a day for men and 2000 for women.
But according to a new survey, few people know how many calories they are consuming and often underestimate portion sizes.
The research revealed 63 per cent of people don’t know how many calories they are eating, resulting in a growing obesity problem in the UK.
Leading dietitian Cirian-Marie Beddoes said: “Calorie requirements vary dramatically depending on a person’s size and age. They can range from 1,200 a day for a small, inactive woman to more than 4,000 for an athlete in training- and that’s just to maintain the same weight.
“The average woman needs 2,000 to stay the same and around 1,500 to lose weight, but the problem is most people aren’t the average woman.
“For dieters it is crucial to have a balanced diet. There can be a problem with solely counting calories, as you can’t distinguish the good calories from the bad.
“Eggs and nuts are high in calories, but they are extremely nutritious, so cutting them out could have a detrimental effect.”
Those who are battling to lose weight should come for a consultation with an expert bariatric surgeon at The Hospital Group.
The Hospital Group is the UK’s biggest provider of weight loss surgery, including gastric bands, gastric bypasses and gastric balloons which can give you a healthier lifestyle.
David Ross, Chief Executive of The Hospital Group said: “The UK is currently suffering from a massive obesity crisis.
“Those looking to lose weight should try to achieve a healthier lifestyle- this is something which something like a gastric band can help achieve.
“Bariatric surgery is no quick fix, but it can help those who have found dieting a struggle, to lose weight and ultimately get their confidence back.”
Since The Hospital Group was established in 1992, it has risen to become the UK’s biggest weight loss surgery providers, performing more gastric procedures last year than the NHS.
