How to Calculate Your Daily Food Portions for a More Effective Diet
In the effort to achieve your ideal body weight, limiting the amount of food you eat is one of the things you need to do. But what is the right portion size for a diet? Find out here!
How Much Should You Eat Per Day on a Diet?

How much food you can eat while trying to lose weight depends on your body's calorie needs. Therefore, these needs differ from one person to another.
To determine your calorie needs, you can calculate your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), or the minimum number of calories your body needs to function, then multiply it by your physical activity level.
BMR Formula
Men
- BMR: 66.5 + (13.75 x weight) + (5.003 x height) – (6.75 x age)
Women
- BMR: 655.1 + (9.563 x weight) + (1.850 x height) – (4.676 x age)
For example:
Let's say Rio is a 25-year-old man who weighs 70 kg and is 170 cm tall. The calculation would be:
- 66.5 + (13.75 x 70) + (5.003 x 170) – (6.75 x 25) = 1,710 Kcal
Physical Activity Level
Once you have your daily calorie requirement, multiply it by your physical activity level. See the table below:
|
Activity Level |
Physical Activity Factor |
|
Rarely physically active |
1.2 |
|
Does light exercise that is not very intense or frequent |
1.3 |
|
Exercises fairly regularly at a moderate intensity almost every day of the week |
1.55 |
|
Exercises consistently every day for a full week at a high intensity |
1.725 |
|
Exercises every day and does physically demanding work |
1.9 |
Calculating Daily Calorie Needs
Based on the table above, if Rio rarely exercises, the calculation is:
- 1,710 Kcal x 1.2 = 2,052 Kcal
The calculation shows that Rio needs about 2,052 calories per day. So how many calories should you consume while dieting?
Calculating Calories for a Diet
Based on the calculation above, you can reduce your daily calorie intake by 500 calories. Experts recommend this amount to help ensure your body continues to function optimally while supporting weight loss.
- 2,052 - 500 = 1,552 Kcal
If your diet goes smoothly and your calculations are correct, you could lose around 450 grams per week.[1]
Macronutrient Portions While Dieting

You can't just eat whatever you like; you also need to follow dietary guidelines that regulate how much of each macronutrient you consume every day, for example:
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an integral part of our diet in Indonesia, including rice, potatoes, cassava, and corn.
For a good balance, keep your portion of rice or other carbohydrate choices while dieting to around 130 grams, or 45% to 60% of your total calories.
Protein
Eggs, meat, legumes, and seafood are common sources of protein served as side dishes. You can aim for about 0.36 grams of protein per unit of body weight, or 25%–35% of your calories.
Fat
Dieting doesn't mean you have to avoid fat completely. Your body still needs it as a source of energy. Make sure your intake of healthy fats is around 65 grams, or 25% to 30% of the calories you need.[2]
You can get healthy fats from foods such as fish, olive oil, avocados, and nuts as healthier choices.
Healthy Daily Meal Portions for a Diet

Have you heard the saying, “Eat breakfast like a king and dinner like a beggar” to maintain an ideal weight? There's some truth to this advice!
Research shows that consuming more calories at breakfast than at dinner supports optimal weight loss.[3] You can follow this guideline:
- Breakfast: 50% of calories
- Lunch: 35% of calories
- Dinner: 15% of calories
If you enjoy snacking, you can have snacks in moderation, as long as they don't exceed 15% of your total daily calories.
Meal Times for a Diet

Although it may seem trivial, meal timing can affect how your body stores and burns fat.[3] Here are some recommended meal times:
- Breakfast: Before 9:00 a.m.
- Lunch: Between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
- Dinner: 4 hours before bedtime
To get the most out of your efforts, complement your diet with Sido Muncul Fatraper. Containing chitosan and vitamin C, this herbal supplement can help reduce fat buildup, leaving your body looking firmer and slimmer.
Adjust your diet portions and take Sido Muncul Fatraper regularly—3 capsules a day. This can help you achieve your dream body sooner!
Shop Healthy and Save at Sido Muncul Store!
Earn reward points with every purchase, collect points, and redeem them for discounts! The more points you earn, the more you save! Visit Sido Muncul Store today!