Calorie Intake

[SummerSun]

I have been bed bound for about 8 months now and my weight is gradually increasing. As I am so unwell the last thing my body needs is the extra weight. I have looked online and can't seem to get the right answer.

So I'm 5'5 and now weigh 13st. I only get up a few times a day to go to the toilet so very inactive right now.

Roughly what should my calorie intake be?

[Sue Luscombe]

Hello Summer Sun

Sorry to hear you are struggling with your weight. Being bedbound can make weight control a real challenge, as lack of activity means you will burn up a lot fewer calories each day. You mention you are gradually putting on weight, which can be easily explained. If we eat just 100 calories more than we burn up, this will cause a weight gain of about 10-11lbs in a year! To reach your goal of controlling your weight you will need a calorie deficit and something in the order of 1400-1500 calories should give you a slow weight loss. However I would be very careful about “dieting”, which can be a negative experience. Focus more on what you can do rather than what you cannot do. Small steps. An example is eating more fruit and veg each day and having more routine. The most important thing is your physical recovery and as you become able to do more you will burn up more calories.

Good luck.