– Discretionary Calories
Calorie Budget
Your body needs a certain amount of calories in order to function and provide energy for physical activities. You have a total calorie “budget” that can be divided into “essentials” and “extras”.
Essentials
The “essentials” are the minimum amount of calories that your body needs to meet your nutrient needs. Select foods from each food group with low fat and no-sugar added to meet your nutrient needs.
Extras
If you eat healthy, you may be able to spend more calories than the amount required to meet your nutrient needs. These calories are called the “extras”. These extras can be spent on solid fats, added sugars or alcohol. Another way to spend your extras is to eat more healthy foods from any food group. These extras are you “discretionary calories”.
Small or Large – Discretionary Calorie Allowance
You will have a small discretionary calorie allowance if:
- you are not physically active and
- eat foods rich in fat and sugar
You will have a larger discretionary calorie allowance if:
- you are more physical active and
- eat healthier foods
MyPyramid Discretionary Calories Allowance Estimation
The discretionary calories allowance is based on estimated calorie needs by age/sex group. Physical activity increases calorie needs, and thereby gives you a larger discretionary calorie allowance. Remember that the discretionary calorie allowance is part of total estimated calorie needs, and not in addition to total calorie needs.
- An adult woman who isn’t physical active has an estimated total calorie need of 1600-2000, from which 130-265 is discretionary calorie allowance.
- An adult man who isn’t physical active has an estimated total calorie need of 2000-2400, from which 265-360 is discretionary calorie allowance.
MyPyramid Print Materials
- What are “discretionary calories”?
- How many can I have?
- What are “solid fats”?
- How are solid fats different from oils?
- How do I count solid fats?
- What are “added sugars”?
- How do I count discretionary calories?
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Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, MyPyramid