Nutritionist and fitness expert Jillian Michaels, known for her appearances on “The Biggest Loser,” reveals that a top diet mistake that many people make is overeating.
Speaking with “E! News,” Michaels, 50, explained how many individuals underestimate their daily caloric intake—sometimes by as much as 1,000 calories.
“The research on how many people underestimate their calorie intake is robust and it’s extensive,” Michaels said. “It could be up to 1,000 calories a day.”
Michaels, host of the Keeping It Real With Jillian Michaels podcast, shared that she has encountered countless individuals who insist that eating less has not resulted in weight loss. Upon further examination, however, she often finds that the 1,400 calories they believe they are consuming is actually closer to 2,300.
“It does come down to the simple math,” she noted. “So, helping people understand that to lose a pound, they need to burn roughly 3,500 calories more than they are consuming in a day. And if you consume 100 calories more than you’re burning in a day, you’ll gain roughly 10 pounds in a year.”
This fundamental principle, Michaels said, is key to weight management. Even small adjustments, such as eliminating a daily calorie-dense coffee drink, can make a significant impact over time.
“Cutting out a once-a-day Starbucks habit will prevent you from gaining 10 pounds in a year,” she said. “But people don’t realize when they’re no longer gaining, or when they’re holding their ground. They’re just looking for massive numbers on the scale, and they don’t understand the math.”
Michaels advocates for a balanced approach to nutrition, centered on whole, high-quality foods. She stresses the importance of including protein, fat, and carbohydrates in every meal while minimizing empty calories from sugary beverages.
“It’s whole foods, protein, fat, and carbs in every single meal, and ideally, good quality food whenever possible,” she said. “That’s the rule.”
America’s Growing Health Crisis
Beyond individual dietary choices, Michaels has spoken out about the broader health crisis facing the nation. Speaking on “Fox & Friends” in September 2024, she described America’s rising obesity and chronic disease rates as “horrifying,” linking these concerns to the widespread consumption of ultra-processed, chemically-laden foods.
“The statistics are horrifying,” Michaels stated. “It’s not a question anymore, it is not nuanced. It’s simply right or wrong, good against evil. And the reality is, I can sit here and I can tell everybody, ‘Hey, guys… eat less and move more and use common sense with your food choices,’ but the reality is that you can be thin and still get cancer and still get type 2 diabetes.”
Michaels believes there are ways for individuals to make healthier choices. She encourages consumers to prioritize locally sourced foods and organic options where it matters most.
“What we want to do is go back to the old-school advice,” she said. “First of all, you buy in bulk. Second, try to go to local farmers’ markets and get your produce locally. It’s more cost-effective, has fewer chemicals. Go organic where it counts, which is going to be dairy, beef, and thin-skinned fruits and vegetables. If you can’t afford it, that’s when you go to the thick-skinned fruits and vegetables or what we call the clean 15, and you amortize those dollars.”