Final answer:
A 28-year-old woman wishing to lose weight should have a caloric intake lower than her daily energy expenditure to create a calorie deficit, aiming for a safe weight loss of about 1 to 2 pounds per week. Personalized advice from a healthcare provider is recommended to meet individual needs and ensure nutritional adequacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A 28-year-old woman looking to lose weight should aim for a caloric intake that supports a gradual and sustainable weight loss, while ensuring her body receives the required nutrients. Moderate female adults require an average of 1500 to 2000 calories per day to sustain daily activities, depending on their activity levels, body mass, height, and other factors. To lose weight, this intake might need to be adjusted to create a caloric deficit. A safe deficit is often 500 to 1000 calories less than the amount needed to maintain current weight, which leads to a weight loss of about 1 to 2 pounds per week.
For specific caloric requirements and to ensure the diet is balanced, it is best to consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. They can provide personalized recommendations, consider health status, lifestyle, and adjust for metabolic changes, like those observed in the study by Carla Prado's team at the University of Alberta on energy expenditures after childbirth.