Calorie Deficit Formula:
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A calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body expends. This is the fundamental principle behind weight loss, as your body must use stored energy (fat) to make up for the energy shortfall.
The calculator uses the simple calorie deficit formula:
Where:
Explanation: The calculation shows how many fewer calories you're consuming compared to what your body needs, indicating your daily deficit for weight loss.
Details: Calculating your calorie deficit helps you understand your weight loss progress, adjust your diet accordingly, and set realistic goals for sustainable weight management.
Tips: Enter your TDEE (calculated through other methods or formulas) and your daily calorie intake. Both values must be positive numbers measured in kcal/day.
Q1: What is a healthy calorie deficit?
A: A deficit of 500-1000 calories per day is generally recommended, leading to a safe weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week.
Q2: How do I calculate my TDEE?
A: TDEE can be estimated using formulas like Mifflin-St Jeor or Harris-Benedict, multiplied by an activity factor that represents your daily physical activity level.
Q3: Can a calorie deficit be too large?
A: Yes, excessively large deficits can lead to muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, metabolic adaptation, and are generally unsustainable long-term.
Q4: Should I recalculate my deficit as I lose weight?
A: Yes, as you lose weight, your TDEE decreases, so you may need to adjust your calorie intake or increase activity to maintain the same deficit.
Q5: Are all calories equal when creating a deficit?
A: While calorie quantity determines weight loss, calorie quality affects nutrition, satiety, and overall health. Focus on nutrient-dense foods within your calorie target.