How many calories are right for me to consume in a day?

The total number of calories a person needs to consume daily depends on the person's age and gender. For example, females between the ages of 19 and 30 need 2,000 calories per day. Males in the same age range, however, require 2,400 calories per day, the highest of any group.

Males generally require a higher calorie intake than females. Children who are 8 years old or younger are the only exception to this gender difference. While males tend to outpace females in required calorie intake as they get older, young children, both male and female, require a similar number of calories per day, according to ChooseMyPlate.gov. In general, toddlers consume the least calories, requiring 1,000 calories each day.