· A pound of body fat contains about 3,500 calories, but this is not a reliable rule for weight loss. Learn why the 500-calorie-deficit myth is inaccurate and how to predict your weight loss more realistically. · How Many Calories Are In One Pound Of Body Fat? One pound of body fat is approximately equal to 3, 500 calories, a widely accepted figure originating from Max Wishnofsky in 1958. · One pound of body fat is equal to about 3,500 calories. Knowing this general rule can be helpful when setting weight loss goals, though individual results may vary due to differences in metabolism and other factors. People gain weight by consuming more calories than they burn throughout the day. How Many Calories Are in a Pound of Body Fat? There are 3,500 calories in a pound of body fat, [1] which is why we use this value in the formula above. 1 lb = 3,500 kcal. Some experts suggest that to lose 1 pound per week, you'd need to create a calorie deficit of 3,500 calories, or 500 kcal per day. [2] . · While pure fat does contain approximately 9 calories per gram (or about 4,100 calories per pound), body fat is not composed of pure lipids. Adipose tissue is a mixture of fat cells (adipocytes), water, protein, and other components. · How Many Calories Are in a Pound of Fat A pound of fat equals about 3,500 calories, but weight loss isn’t always that simple. · Pure fat contains approximately 9 calories per gram, which translates to roughly 4,100 calories per pound. However, body fat tissue is significantly different from pure fat. Body fat consists of adipocytes (fat cells) that contain not only fat but also water, protein, and other cellular components.
