Frequently Asked Questions

What does TDEE stand for and what is it?

TDEE stands for Total Daily Energy Expenditure. In simple terms, it is the total number of calories your body burns in a 24-hour period. What is TDEE in nutrition? It is the sum of four components:

1. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Calories burned at rest.
2. TEF (Thermic Effect of Food): Calories burned digesting food.
3. NEAT: Calories burned from daily movements (walking, fidgeting).
4. EAT: Calories burned from deliberate exercise.

Knowing what is your TDEE is the most important step in creating a nutrition plan.

What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?

This is the most common confusion we see.

What is BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)? This is the energy your body needs just to keep you alive (breathing, circulating blood, cell production) if you were in a coma.

What is TDEE? This is your BMR plus all your physical activity.

Is BMR the same as maintenance calories? No. Your maintenance calories are your TDEE. If you only eat your BMR calories, you will likely lose weight, but you might also lack the energy for daily tasks.

How is TDEE calculated?

How to calculate TDEE involves a two-step mathematical process.

First, we find your BMR using a formula (like Mifflin-St Jeor).

Second, we multiply that number by an "Activity Factor" to find your total expenditure.

How to calculate TDEE formula generally looks like this: TDEE = BMR x Activity Multiplier

Our calculator automates this using the most current scientific data.

How to calculate BMR and TDEE for females vs. males?

Biologically, men and women burn calories differently due to muscle mass and hormonal differences.

How to calculate TDEE for female: The equations we use lower the baseline slightly to account for naturally higher essential body fat percentages.

How to calculate TDEE for male: The formula assumes a higher starting lean muscle mass, resulting in a higher BMR.

However, how to determine TDEE accurately for either gender ultimately comes down to activity levels.

Are TDEE calculators accurate?

You might wonder, how accurate are TDEE calculators? While no online calculator is 100% perfect (because it cannot see your exact DNA or metabolism), ours uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, which studies show is accurate within 10% for the vast majority of people.

It provides the best possible starting point.

To find your exact TDEE, use our number for 2-3 weeks and monitor your weight.

How do I determine my activity level for TDEE?

Choosing the wrong activity level is the #1 error users make. Here is a breakdown to help you find your TDEE accurately:

• Sedentary: Desk job, very little movement.
• What is light exercise TDEE? Light activity 1-3 days/week (e.g., long walks, light yoga).
• What is moderate exercise TDEE? Moderate activity 3-5 days/week (e.g., gym sessions, jogging).
• Heavy Exercise: Hard training 6-7 days/week.

Be honest! Overestimating activity is often why is my TDEE so low compared to expectations.

How to use TDEE to lose weight?

What is TDEE in weight loss? It is your "break-even" point. To lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than your TDEE. This is called a caloric deficit.

How to calculate TDEE for weight loss:

1. Calculate your maintenance TDEE.
2. Subtract 300-500 calories from that number.

This deficit typically results in losing about 1 lb (0.5 kg) per week.

Why is my BMR or TDEE so low?

If you are asking "why is my BMR so low?", it usually depends on three factors:

• Age: Metabolism slows as we get older.
• Size: Smaller bodies require less energy to move.
• Muscle Mass: Muscle burns more calories than fat.

How to increase BMR? The most effective way is resistance training. Building muscle increases your lean body mass, which permanently raises your BMR and TDEE.

How to find TDEE to gain muscle?

To build muscle, you need energy. You should aim for a "Calorie Surplus."

Take your TDEE calculated number and add 250-500 calories. Combine this with heavy weightlifting.

This ensures the extra weight you gain is muscle, not just fat.

What is BMR in fitness and health?

What is BMR in health? It is a vital indicator of your metabolic efficiency. A higher BMR generally indicates more muscle mass and better metabolic health.

What does BMR stand for in body composition? It represents the cost of maintaining your specific body tissue.

How to raise BMR? Focus on high-protein diets (which have a high thermic effect) and strength training.

What is nutrition and why is it important?

What is nutrition? At its core, nutrition is the biochemical process of consuming and using food for health and growth.

Why is nutrition important? It fuels every biological process in your body. Good nutrition reduces the risk of chronic diseases, boosts immunity, and improves longevity.

We also see a strong link between food and the mind: how does nutrition affect mental health? Diets rich in omega-3s and whole foods have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, proving that why nutrition matters goes beyond just physical muscles. Understanding your TDEE calculated needs helps optimize this nutrition for your specific body.

What are the basic components of nutrition?

To understand food, you must understand its parts:

• What are macros in nutrition? Macronutrients are the big three: Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fats.
• What are fats in nutrition? Often misunderstood, fats are essential for hormone production and brain health.
• What are minerals in nutrition? These are micronutrients like calcium and magnesium that your body needs in small amounts to function.

Even simple foods like can tuna nutrition or what nutrition does corn have provide complex blends of these macros and micros.

Why are Germans tall: genetics or nutrition?

Users often ask interesting correlations like why are Germans tall genetics nutrition. The answer is both.

While genetics set the potential for height, high-quality nutrition—specifically high protein and dairy consumption during childhood—allows populations to reach that maximum genetic potential.

How to read nutrition labels correctly?

Learning how to read a nutrition label is a superpower. When you look at the nutrition facts, start with the serving size.

What is DV in nutrition? DV stands for Daily Value. It tells you if a food is high (20%+) or low (5% or less) in a nutrient based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

What does RDA stand for in nutrition? RDA is the Recommended Dietary Allowance, which is the average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy people.

How do you read the nutrition label on food? Always check for added sugars and trans fats, which are often hidden in the fine print.

How do you make your own nutrition facts?

If you are a chef or meal prepper asking how to make a nutrition label, you can use our Nutrition Dashboard database or official USDA databases to sum up the ingredients in your recipe.

This allows you to generate accurate macro counts for your home-cooked meals.

What is the role of nutrition in sports?

Food is fuel. What is the role of nutrition in sports? It is to provide energy for performance (glycogen) and material for recovery (protein).

Athletes often wonder about specific products:

• Is Optimum Nutrition creatine good? Yes, it is widely regarded as a high-quality, micronized creatine monohydrate.
• Does Optimum Nutrition creatine come with a scoop? Yes, it typically includes a serving scoop buried in the powder.
• Is Ancient Nutrition a good brand? Known for bone broth proteins, many users find it beneficial for gut health.
• Who owns Ancient Nutrition? It was co-founded by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe.
• Is 1Up Nutrition sold in stores? While primarily online, you can ask 1Up Nutrition where to buy at select specialty supplement retailers, though direct buying is common.

Are brands like Goli, Bloom, and Hum legit?

We often get asked is Goli nutrition legit or what is Bloom nutrition? These are popular wellness brands focusing on greens and gummies. While they can be convenient, we always recommend getting your nutrients from whole foods first.

Similarly, users asking is Fay nutrition legit or is Berry Street nutrition legit should check third-party lab testing and reviews before purchasing.

Note: If you need to stop a subscription, searching how to cancel Hum nutrition usually leads to their specific customer portal settings.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?

Medical nutrition therapy is an evidence-based medical approach to treating chronic conditions through a tailored diet, monitored by a registered dietitian.

This leads to questions like does Medicare cover nutrition counseling for obesity? Yes, Medicare Part B covers obesity screenings and behavioral counseling if you meet specific BMI criteria.

What is Parenteral Nutrition?

What is parenteral nutrition? It is a medical method of feeding a person intravenously, bypassing the eating process.

What is total parenteral nutrition (TPN)? This is when all daily nutritional requirements are delivered through a vein, used only when the digestive tract cannot function.

What is Functional Nutrition?

What is functional nutrition? It is a holistic approach that considers diet, lifestyle, and environment to address the root cause of disease, rather than just treating symptoms.

How to become a nutrition coach?

If you want to help others, asking how to become a nutrition coach is the first step. You typically need a certification from an accredited body (like NASM or ISSA).

What can you do with a nutrition degree? You can become a Registered Dietitian (RD), work in public health, or develop food products.

Assistance Programs (SNAP & WIC)

What is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program? SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families.

How to claim Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Florida? You must apply through the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) website.

How to apply for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program? This program helps seniors buy fresh produce. You typically apply through your local State Agency on Aging.