caloric intake

Question
Hi there,
I have a question about the consistency of daily caloric intake.  The stats you ask for: I'm 6'1", around 215lbs and have normal bp, hr, cholesterol, etc.  I have been recording my eating for a little while now in attempts to lose weight.  I have a very inconsistent schedule.  Some days I work for 9 or 10 hrs and then go to school for 3 hrs.  Other days I only work 5 or 6 hrs, etc.  I've noticed that my caloric intake also varies considerably.  So my question is this- is it better to try hard to eat the same number of calories each day or is it ok/better to mix it up, as long as the average stays low?  Thank you for your input!

Answer
Dear Dave,
It is not essential to eat the same number of calories each day. However, it is wise to eat a reasonable number of calories each day!  For instance, if you notice that you've only eaten 1100 one day and that another day you took in 3000, I would suggest you try to plan your meals and snacks in advance to make sure you are getting in the optimal nutrition each day.
Research shows that skipping meals does not help with weight loss. On the days you are busy try to find time to fit in a healthy snack, even if it's something like a granola bar or a slimfast-type meal replacement drink or bar. This will keep a steady flow of nutrients for your body to use consistently.
Likewise, take a look at days when your caloric intake is high to figure out where a large number of calories are coming from.
If you are talking about a fluctuation of 200 or 300 calories, it's not important. I would imagine anywhere between 1800 and 2200 calories will be a good daily goal for your weight loss plan.

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