Glossary · Fitness
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)
TDEE is the total number of calories your body burns per day — basal metabolic rate plus movement plus digestion.
Why it matters
TDEE is a useful nutrition-planning reference but is usually estimated in everyday practice. Calculators model it from resting energy and activity; longer real-world trends can then help calibrate the plan.
Resting energy, everyday movement, planned activity and the thermic effect of food all contribute to total expenditure. A simple activity multiplier does not measure these components separately.
Calculators provide a starting value, not a measured daily expenditure. Bodyweight, recorded energy intake and activity across several weeks can help adjust practical planning.
An unexpected weight trend does not prove a 'broken metabolism'. Measurement error, water shifts, activity and model uncertainty need to be considered together.