Do you know how many calories you require a day day to maintain your current weight? If not, you’re not alone. A recent national online survey revealed that most people do not know their daily caloric needs, or “budget.”

Of those polled, 63% could not estimate their daily needs – another 25% wouldn’t even try – and just 12 % of those polled knew just how many calories they require.

The problem of course is that if you don’t know how many calories you need, eating the right amount is pretty hard to do. I personally feel that everyone should have an idea of the calories they require. How else can you put a 1300 calorie apple crisp or 1200 calorie milkshake into proper prospective?

That’s why you will find a Personal Calorie Calculator on my Tips and Tools page.  If you have not used it yet, I highly recommend you do. Knowing how many calories you have for your “budget” is a really important tool when it comes to weight control. It also makes caloric information, whether from food labels or restaurants – to what you will find in each of my cookbooks – personal.

(For example, as my daily budget is only 1600 calories, I know it’s just about impossible to fit a 1300 calorie Warm Apple Crisp from the Cheesecake Factory into my budget – and still fit into my pants!)

Last, in my newest book, Eat What You Love , you will find over 300 recipes all under 350 calories. After figuring out your budget, I am sure you will be thrilled as I am to know there is a way to enjoy the food you love – for less!  (The Warm Cinnamon Apple Crisp for 185 calories is one of my favorites…)

Happy Calculating!