What Is Comprised In A 1500 Calorie Diet?

A calorie is a unit that measures energy. In nutritional science, this measure is used to calculate the intake of energy from the food that we eat. The 1500 Calorie Diet is ideal for a sedentary woman or for older people. Active men and women usually burn about 2800 calories in a day.

The USDA has developed a sample diet to satisfy the requirements of most Americans. The menu includes 0-3 servings of fats, oils and sweets, 2-3 servings of meat/protein and dairy, 2-4 servings of fruits, 3-5 servings of vegetables and 6-11 servings of bread/starch.

For a 1500 calorie diet, the USDA has come up with a menu of 6 ounces of lean meat or protein, 6 servings of bread or starch, 4 servings of fruits, 5 or more servings of vegetables, 2 servings of dairy preferably low in fat and 3 servings of fat.

With appropriate amount of regular exercises, it is ideal to burn the excess fat or to maintain the right body fat count, for an entire lifetime. However, the plans are approximations, and therefore, meant for healthy adults only.

Pregnant women, diabetics, or lactating mothers must consult a doctor before going for these low calorie plans. Children below the age of 16 must also refrain from using these without consulting a nutritionist or a doctor.

Now, there remains to be understood the meaning of the word "serving" as stated by the USDA. It is equal to 1 slice of bread or tortilla or ½ cup of cooked cereal, rice or pasta. The measure in these cases will be 1 ounce.

Similarly, for vegetables it is either 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables, or half cup vegetable juice, cooked or chopped vegetables. In case of fruits, a serving would be equivalent to 1 medium banana, orange or apple, 1 cup berries or cubed melons, ½ cup chopped, cooked or canned fruits or fruit juice.

In case of milk and yogurt, a serving is equal to 1 cup quantity. Plain yogurt should be ¾ of a cup. For cheese, it is ¼ of a cup or 1 ounce.

For meat, poultry or fish it is equal to 1 ounce, i.e. 1/3 of a deck of cards. Eggs should be one in quantity. 2 tablespoons of peanut butter is also an equivalent count. In the cases of oils, butter, margarine or mayonnaise it is 1 teaspoon for each. For salad dressing and cream cheese it is 1 tablespoon respectively.

Hence, if your doctor advises you to follow the 1500 calorie diet, then you can safely go by the above mentioned specifications and develop a reduction menu for yourself.