“Eat only watermelon and see quick results!” is just one of the multiple misconceptions someone training in a calorie deficit may read on social media.
A calorie deficit, as defined by Virginia Wagner, a registered dietician for Mercy Health, is “taking in less calories than what it takes to maintain your weight, cutting back on food, and doing physical activity.”
If a person is eating 250 calories less a day and burning 250 calories in a physical activity, they would find themselves in a calorie deficit, the dietitian said. Ms. Wagner cautions a person looking to train in a calorie deficit if they have not done proper online research or met with a registered dietitian…