The number of calories that you should eat depends of your weight, age, height, your activity levels and whether you are trying to lose, maintain or gain weight.
You need balance the calories that you take each day in the diet with the calories that you expend each day.
This calculator estimates the number of calories you should consume each day to maintain, increase, or decrease your weight based upon your gender, height, weight, age, and activity level. This calculator also provides a breakdown of calories and grams required from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
How many calories should I eat? I found that according to the US Department of Health and Human Services in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans inside of My Pyramide published by USDA, they recommended the follow number of calories per day that you should eat:
For a person who practices
30 minutes or less of moderate physical activity, the number of calories that they should eat
Children--------2-3 years old 1000 calories
Children--------4-8 years old 1200-1400 calories
Girls-------------9-13 years old 1600 calories
Boys------------9-13 years old 1800 calories
Girls------------14-18 years old 1800 calories
Boys-----------14-18 years old 2200 calories
Females-------19-30 years old 2000 calories
Males----------19-30 years old 2400 calories
Females-------31-50 years old 1800 calories
Males----------31-50 years old 2200 calories
Females-------51+ years old 1600 calories
Males----------51+ years old 2000 calories
For a person who practices 30 minutes to at least 60 minutes or more of moderate physical activity, the number of calories that they should eat:
Children--------2-3 years old 1000-1400 calories
Children--------4-8 years old 1400-1800 calories
Girls-------------9-13 years old 1600-2200 calories
Boys-------------9-13 years old 1800-2600 calories
Girls------------14-18 years old 2000-2400 calories
Boys------------14-18 years old 2400-3200 calories
Females-------19-30 years old 2000-2400 calories
Males----------19-30 years old 2600-3000 calories
Females-------31-50 years old 2000-2200 calories
Males----------31-50 years old 2400-3000 calories
Females-------50+ years old 1800-2200 calories
Males----------50+ years old 2200-2800 calories