How many calories should a 17 year old male be eating

The appropriate calorie intake for a 17-year-old male can vary greatly depending on several factors like activity level, metabolism, and overall health goals. However, generally, those in this age group might maintain their weight with a caloric intake ranging between 2,500 and 3,500 calories per day. For those more active, like athletes, the intake can be higher.

The Mind Pump Podcast often discusses the importance of finding a balance and not making drastic changes. For example, if someone with a high daily intake (such as 3,800 calories) cuts down to 2,300 calories immediately, it could lead to significant discomfort and cravings. A more moderate reduction, perhaps to around 3,000 calories, is suggested for manageable fat loss and to avoid extreme hunger or fatigue 1.

For young individuals looking to increase weight or muscle mass, it is often advised to make incremental changes, like adding 500 to 1,000 calories if weight gain is hard to achieve, and not to jump to extremes like drastically lowering caloric intake suddenly 2 3.

These considerations emphasize the importance of personalized adjustments based on individual needs and responses, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.