Definition of Caloric Intake

An individual's caloric intake is defined as the number of calories ingested in a given period of time.

Definition of Calorie

• A calorie is an energy measurement. One calorie is the amount of heat energy required to raise 1 kilogram of water one degree at 1 atmospheric pressure. In other words, a calorie is a measure of heat energy. All living things use this heat energy to maintain the processes that sustain life. For people, calorie has come to mean the amount of basic energy that is available in a specific portion of food. Each person requires a certain amount of this energy to survive, and an additional amount to provide the energy for daily activities.

Types of Caloric Intake

• Caloric intake basically means the number of calories taken in. However, the phrase "caloric intake" can refer to different quantities. Basic caloric intake refers to how many calories a person consumes each day. Dietary caloric intake is how many calories a person should consume if she wants to lose or gain weight. Excess caloric intake refers to how many calories a person consumes above and beyond what she actually needs.

More About Basic Caloric Intake

• Basic caloric intake is a way to refer to how many calories a person consumes each day. To estimate basic caloric intake, simply add the number of calories consumed over a given period--24 hours for example. This number is generally used as a starting point for determining other types of caloric intake. It is also used on package labeling for nutritional purposes. The basic caloric intake estimated for adults in the United States, for example, is 2000 calories. This is also the caloric intake used to construct the food pyramid and instruct the general public in healthy eating habits. Also, individuals who are on therapeutic eating programs, such as those following a major illness or for the treatment of an eating disorder, may be assigned a basic caloric intake by their doctors.

Details on Dietary Caloric Intake

• Dietary caloric intake is different from basic caloric intake in that it represents a number of calories that a person would not normally eat if left on his own. This number may be larger or smaller than the basic caloric intake. The formula for weight loss is that an individual must consume 3500 calories less than he needs in order to lose 1 lb. of weight. The reverse is also true for gaining weight--3500 extra calories equals 1 lb. of weight gain. Thus, an individual who normally eats 2000 calories per day might consume 1500 per day in an effort to lose 1 lb. per week. This would be his dietary caloric intake. An athlete or underweight individual who wants to put on weight might add 500 calories per day for a total of 3500 extra calories in order to gain 1 lb. per week.

Excess Caloric Intake Essentials

• Excess caloric intake refers to the number of calories an individual eats, but does not need in order to maintain her health or current weight. The same equation applies here as it does to gaining or losing weight. An individual who has an excess caloric intake of 500 calories per day is likely to gain 1 lb. of weight each week. How much of an individual's caloric intake would be considered excess caloric intake varies depending on the individual. For example, an athlete who works in an office all day but is training for a marathon requires more calories than his office mate who leaves work only to sit on the couch for the rest of the evening.