Is 1700 calories too low for a woman?

Not necessarily. For women with a TDEE of 2,000–2,200 calories, eating 1,700 creates a moderate deficit and is perfectly appropriate for weight loss. For smaller, sedentary women with a TDEE around 1,600–1,800, 1,700 calories may be close to maintenance or only a slight deficit. The key is knowing your TDEE first.

Can a man lose weight on 1700 calories?

Most men have TDEEs of 2,200–3,000+ calories, meaning 1,700 calories represents a substantial deficit — typically 500–1,300 calories per day below maintenance. This is achievable for weight loss but may feel very restrictive. Men with lower TDEEs (sedentary, smaller frame) could potentially maintain weight at 1,700 calories.

What happens if you eat 1700 calories every day?

If your TDEE is above 1,700, you will lose weight consistently over time. If your TDEE equals 1,700, your weight will remain stable. If your TDEE is below 1,700 (rare, but possible for very small, sedentary individuals), you may gain weight. The outcome depends entirely on the relationship between 1,700 and your personal TDEE.

Is 1700 calories a good calorie goal?

1700 calories is a reasonable weight loss target for many women and some men, provided it sits at least 300 calories below your TDEE. It is high enough to support adequate nutrition and protein intake. Whether it is the right number for you specifically depends on your calculated TDEE.

How quickly will I lose weight on 1700 calories?

Your rate of weight loss on 1700 calories equals your TDEE minus 1,700, divided by 3,500 per week. For example, if your TDEE is 2,200, your deficit is 500 calories per day, and you will lose approximately 1 pound per week. If your TDEE is 2,500, your deficit is 800 calories per day and you will lose roughly 1.6 pounds per week.

1700 Calories a Day: Is It Enough?

By TDEE Hub · Updated April 2026 · 5 min read

Eating 1700 calories a day is a popular weight loss target — but whether it actually causes you to lose weight, maintain, or even gain depends entirely on one thing: your TDEE. For someone who burns 2,200 calories per day, 1,700 is a solid 500-calorie deficit. For someone who burns 1,650, it is a slight surplus.

Before deciding whether 1700 is right for you, you need your personal daily calorie burn as a reference point. Everything else follows from that number.

      Simple rule: If your TDEE is above 1,700, eating 1,700 calories per day will produce weight loss. The larger the gap, the faster you lose. If your TDEE equals 1,700, your weight will stay the same.
    

Who Does 1700 Calories a Day Work For?

Here is how 1,700 calories per day plays out for different people:

Profile	Estimated TDEE	1700 cal outcome	Loss rate
Sedentary woman, 120 lbs	~1,600	Slight surplus	Possible slow gain
Sedentary woman, 150 lbs	~1,850	150-cal deficit	~0.3 lb/week
Lightly active woman, 160 lbs	~2,050	350-cal deficit	~0.7 lb/week
Moderately active woman, 175 lbs	~2,200	500-cal deficit	~1 lb/week
Sedentary man, 170 lbs	~2,100	400-cal deficit	~0.8 lb/week
Active man, 185 lbs	~2,800	1,100-cal deficit	Too aggressive

For most women between 140 and 190 lbs with moderate activity, 1,700 calories is a sensible weight loss target — producing a 300 to 600 calorie daily deficit. For men, 1,700 is often too low and may be difficult to sustain while preserving muscle mass.

Will You Lose Weight on 1700 Calories?

Only if 1,700 is below your TDEE. The most important first step is to calculate your TDEE using the TDEE Calculator. Once you have that number, the answer is straightforward:

TDEE > 1,700: You will lose weight. Rate depends on the gap.
TDEE = 1,700: Your weight will stay stable.
TDEE < 1,700: You will slowly gain weight (rare for most adults).

If your TDEE is only slightly above 1,700 (say 1,800), the deficit is too small for meaningful progress. In that case, increase activity to raise your TDEE, or reduce intake modestly further.

What a Good 1700-Calorie Day Looks Like

The quality of your 1,700 calories matters as much as the number. A calorie budget dominated by processed foods will leave you hungry and nutrient-depleted. Built around protein, vegetables, and whole foods, 1,700 calories is surprisingly satisfying.

A practical macro split for 1,700 calories targeted at fat loss:

Protein: ~130g (520 cal / 31%) — keeps you full and preserves muscle
Carbohydrates: ~170g (680 cal / 40%) — fuels activity and brain function
Fat: ~55g (495 cal / 29%) — supports hormones and satiety

Illustrative day at 1700 calories

Breakfast: 3 eggs scrambled + 100g Greek yogurt + fruit (~450 cal, 38g protein)

Lunch: 150g chicken breast + large salad with cucumber, peppers, and light dressing (~380 cal, 42g protein)

Snack: 100g cottage cheese + rice cakes (~150 cal, 14g protein)

Dinner: 120g salmon + 200g roasted vegetables + 100g cooked rice (~500 cal, 38g protein)

Snack: Apple + small handful almonds (~210 cal, 5g protein)

Total: ~1,690 cal, ~137g protein

Is 1700 Calories Safe?

For most adults, yes. 1,700 calories is well above the 1,200 calorie threshold commonly cited as the minimum for women to avoid nutritional deficiencies on a whole-food diet. It is enough to support adequate protein, micronutrients, and dietary fibre — provided your food choices are reasonably varied.

Where 1,700 can become problematic is if protein intake drops too low. When calories are restricted and protein is insufficient, your body breaks down muscle tissue to meet energy needs. This reduces your TDEE over time and worsens body composition. Prioritising protein within your 1,700-calorie budget protects against this. See our guide on 150 grams of protein a day for practical strategies.

What If You Are Not Losing Weight on 1700 Calories?

If you have been eating 1,700 calories consistently and the scale is not moving, consider these common causes before assuming your metabolism is broken:

Tracking inaccuracy. Oils, sauces, coffee additives, and eyeballed portions add up fast. Weigh everything on a food scale for one week to check your actual intake.
Your TDEE is lower than expected. Some people have TDEEs 10–15% below the Mifflin-St Jeor prediction due to genetics, history of dieting, or thyroid function. If tracking is accurate and you are still not losing, try dropping to 1,550–1,600 calories.
Water retention masking fat loss. High sodium, new exercise, hormonal fluctuations, and stress can all add 2–5 lbs of water weight temporarily. Measure body weight as a 2-week average, not individual daily weigh-ins.
Activity creep. Your TDEE estimate assumes a certain activity level. If you have become less active, your actual TDEE may be lower than when you started.

1700 Calories vs. Other Common Targets

Daily Calorie Target	Best suited for	Typical context
1,200 cal	Very small, sedentary women	Minimum — hard to sustain, risks muscle loss
1,500 cal	Small-medium women, sedentary men	Aggressive deficit, 2 lb/week possible
1,700 cal	Medium-large women, lighter men	Moderate deficit — sustainable and nutritious
2,000 cal	Active women, average men	Mild deficit or maintenance depending on TDEE
2,500 cal	Active men, larger individuals	Often maintenance to slight deficit for men

Use the Calorie Deficit Calculator to find the exact intake that gives you your desired weekly loss rate based on your actual TDEE.

Note: This article is for general educational purposes. Calorie needs vary significantly between individuals. If you have a history of disordered eating or a medical condition affecting metabolism, consult a registered dietitian before setting a calorie target.