Nutritionist: 1200 kcal a day is not enough for most adults
Nutritionist Guna Rijkure from Health Center 4 says that a 1200-kilocalorie daily intake is too low for most adults and can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Social media keeps promoting various extreme diets, and the 1200-kilocalorie daily target is still often presented as a universal standard for weight loss. The number has remained popular even though nutrition experts point out that energy needs vary from person to person. According to Guna Rijkure, a nutritionist at Health Center 4, this amount is insufficient for the majority of adults.
The specialist explains that 1200 kcal per day might only be considered for people of very short stature and low body weight who have minimal physical activity – for instance, those with a sedentary job, who do not exercise and walk little. Even then, it would likely only cover the body's basic energy needs. Therefore, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for weight loss.
Another major concern is meeting nutritional requirements. With such a low calorie intake, it is challenging to include enough protein, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruit and healthy fats. Rijkure notes that deficiencies in calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and B vitamins are common, along with insufficient fat intake. In the long term, such a restricted diet can be risky, because the body may not get the nutrients it needs to function properly.
