What does TDEE mean?

by Andy Williams - last updated 26th March 2024

So you've calculated your BMR and understand the amount of energy your body expends just to sustain itself, but now you're ready to engage in activities like walking, cleaning, running, or playing with the kids. It's time to learn how to understand your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure).

What is TDEE and what's the meaning?

So to explain, TDEE stands for Total Daily Energy Expenditure. It represents the total number of calories that your body burns in a day, taking into account your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) as well as the calories expended through physical activity and the thermic effect of food digestion. In essence, TDEE reflects the total amount of energy your body requires on a daily basis to maintain its current weight and support various activities, including exercise, work, and daily tasks. 

Calculating your TDEE is essential for managing your calorie intake effectively, whether you're looking to maintain, gain, or lose weight. It took me while to learn this at the beginning of my weight loss journey, but I now know this was one of the most important things I could learn!

Why is TDEE important?

When i started my weight loss journey I got confused by BMR and what TDEE meant, but ultimately TDEE is important as it lets us know how much energy (calories) we burn everday. So if we know our TDEE we know the answer to how much energy deos my body need?

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) is important for several reasons:

Weight Management: TDEE provides an estimate of the total number of calories your body burns in a day, taking into account both your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and your activity level. Understanding your TDEE helps you determine the appropriate calorie intake for achieving your weight-related goals, whether it's weight loss, weight maintenance, or weight gain.

Caloric Needs: By knowing your TDEE, you can tailor your calorie intake to match your specific needs. Consuming fewer calories than your TDEE creates a calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss, while consuming more calories leads to a surplus, which is needed for weight gain. Losing or gaining weight is really as simple as that!

Nutritional Planning: TDEE serves as a guideline for planning your daily nutrition. It helps you ensure that you're consuming the right amount of calories to support your body's energy requirements while also meeting your health and fitness goals.

Physical Activity: TDEE takes into account the calories burned through physical activity, including exercise and daily movements. This information is valuable for individuals who engage in regular exercise and want to ensure they're fueling their bodies adequately to support their activity level.

Overall, understanding your TDEE is essential for effective weight loss or weight gain, nutritional planning, and overall health and fitness. It provides valuable information that empowers you to make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle to support your goals.