How many calories do you eat each day?

I don't count calories, I just try to eat what I can, which isn't always that much. I would consider myself a light eater. My family always says I eat like a bird. Most days, I don't eat much after lunch, just not hungry.

I was told by doctors and nutritionists that you are supposed to consume approximately 1500 calories a day if you want to maintain your weight. Those who work out may need a bit more. Those who want to lose weight should eat less. 2000 calories sounds like a lot to me but it all depends on a person's body size, height and weight. 

This is a great question! I've been desperately trying to gain weight, and the most I seem to be able to take in is 1800 - 2000 calories. So frustrating! There are calorie requirement calculators on the net, not sure how accurate they are. I'm a 5'9" man and they say I need about 1800 calories to maintain. So, I'm really trying to eat 2000 but I find it a challenge without eating sugar, gluten and dairy.

The on line calculators say I need about 2300 calories per day to maintain my docs number is a little lower. I am 5'7 and currently 216 after a 60 lb weight loss. I have been averaging about 1300 calories a day since going on plaq and off prednison which is why I have lost 9 lbs in the 41/2 weeks since my last Rhuemy appointment (she is going to kill me). My job is semi physical so it ups my calorie requirements a bit as does the fact I live on the third floor of a building with no elevator and have a dog on prednisone.
Sj

By the way with many resteraunt breakfasts containing 1200 calories and some of the salads just as much, many of us are getting far more calories then we think we are.

I consume a lot of calories most of the time, at least 2,000 a day when I am not sick. If I eat a "normal diet" I lose weight really fast. Last week I was on vacation at a retreat and had no access to food other than that which was prepared communally and was too busy most days to snack. Eating three good meals a day, with no snacking I lost in excess of five pounds in a week.

When I have a flare, I can drop 20 pounds in less than a month. I used to carry 10 pounds over my ideal body weight and that pleased my docs because I do lose it so fast. Since my last surgery and complications in 2005, I am under my ideal weight and will probably not gain it back, primarily because I am careful now about fat because of mal-absorption issues. I know I have cholestyramine when I need it, but I don't like the side-effects so I try to minimize its use and rely on maintaining a low fat diet. Not great for gaining weight.

thanks everyone. this has been very enlightening! I think what I gleaned the most was 'why worry about it because it will mostly likely fluctuate again anyways'. ha! no, really, this was very helpful. and good luck to all of us on our weight stability!

cheers!