Calorie Calculator - Daily Energy Needs

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): This is the minimum number of calories your body needs to perform basic, life-sustaining functions while at rest. It accounts for about 60-75% of your daily calorie expenditure. Factors like age, gender, weight, height, and genetics influence BMR.

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE): This is your BMR plus the calories you burn through physical activity and the thermic effect of food (calories burned during digestion). TDEE is the most accurate representation of your total daily calorie needs.

Thermic Effect of Food (TEF): The energy expended to digest, absorb, and metabolize food. It accounts for about 10% of your total daily energy expenditure.

Age: Metabolism generally slows with age, leading to a decrease in calorie needs.

Gender: Men typically have higher muscle mass and lower body fat percentage than women, resulting in higher BMR and calorie needs.

Body Composition: Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. Individuals with higher muscle mass will have higher BMRs.

Activity Level: The more physically active you are, the more calories you burn, and thus your TDEE will be higher.

Genetics & Hormones: Individual genetic makeup and hormonal balance can also play a role in metabolic rate and calorie expenditure.