Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE): What is Another Word for Maintenance Calories?

November 19, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know your maintenance calories are not a static number but can change based on your activity level? Another word for maintenance calories is Total Daily Energy Expenditure, or TDEE, a concept critical for managing your body weight.

Quick Summary

The term Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) is interchangeable with maintenance calories, representing the daily energy burn required to sustain your current body weight. It accounts for your basal metabolism and all physical activity, from exercise to daily movement.

Key Points

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE): This is the primary and most accurate term for maintenance calories, which is the total amount of energy your body burns in a day.
Energy Balance: When your calorie intake equals your TDEE, you are in energy balance, meaning your weight remains stable.
Four Main Components: TDEE is composed of your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF), Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), and Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (EAT).
Calculation Method: You can estimate your maintenance calories (TDEE) by first calculating your BMR and then multiplying it by an appropriate activity level factor.
Goal-Oriented Adjustments: To lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than your TDEE; to gain weight, you must consume more; to maintain, you must consume roughly the same amount.

Total Daily Energy Expenditure: A Comprehensive Term for Maintenance Calories

Maintenance calories, the number of calories needed to maintain current weight, is also known as Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). This figure is influenced by age, sex, weight, height, and activity level. Understanding TDEE is crucial for effective weight management, whether the goal is weight loss, gain, or maintenance.

The Four Components of Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)

TDEE is comprised of four main elements:

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

BMR accounts for the largest portion of daily calorie burn (60-70%) and is the energy required for basic bodily functions at rest. It is affected by body size, genetics, and age.

Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)

TEF is the energy used to digest and process food, contributing approximately 10% to daily calorie burn.

Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)

NEAT includes all non-exercise physical activity like walking and chores. Its contribution to TDEE varies based on activity level.

Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (EAT)

EAT is the energy burned during planned exercise. It's the most variable TDEE component, depending on exercise frequency, intensity, and duration.

Maintenance Calories (TDEE) vs. BMR: A Comparison

TDEE and BMR are distinct. TDEE represents total daily calorie burn including activity, while BMR is the minimum required at rest.


Feature	Maintenance Calories (TDEE)	Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Definition	Total daily calories burned, including rest and all activity.	Minimum calories burned at complete rest.
Components	BMR, TEF, NEAT, and EAT.	Energy for vital functions only.
Measurement	Estimated via equations and activity multipliers.	Requires laboratory conditions for accuracy.
Application	Practical for setting calorie goals.	Baseline energy needs, not total daily requirements.

How to Calculate Your Maintenance Calories (TDEE)

TDEE can be estimated by calculating BMR and multiplying by an activity factor. The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is a common BMR estimation method.

Step-by-Step Calculation using the Mifflin-St Jeor Formula

Step 1: Calculate your BMR
- Men: $$(10 \times \text{weight in kg}) + (6.25 \times \text{height in cm}) - (5 \times \text{age in years}) + 5$$
- Women: $$(10 \times \text{weight in kg}) + (6.25 \times \text{height in cm}) - (5 \times \text{age in years}) - 161$$
Step 2: Multiply BMR by your activity level
- Sedentary (little to no exercise): BMR x 1.2
- Lightly Active (light exercise 1-3 days/week): BMR x 1.375
- Moderately Active (moderate exercise 3-5 days/week): BMR x 1.55
- Very Active (hard exercise 6-7 days/week): BMR x 1.725
- Extremely Active (hard exercise twice daily): BMR x 1.9

This calculation provides your estimated TDEE.

Using Maintenance Calories for Your Goals

Adjust calorie intake based on your TDEE for goal achievement.

Weight loss: Consume fewer calories than your TDEE (a deficit).
Weight gain: Consume more calories than your TDEE (a surplus).
Weight maintenance: Consume calories equal to your TDEE.

Conclusion: The Dynamic Nature of Total Daily Energy Expenditure

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) is the accurate term for maintenance calories, a dynamic measure based on BMR, activity, and digestion. Understanding TDEE is vital for any fitness goal. Recalculating TDEE after significant body changes is recommended. For more on BMR, see the Cleveland Clinic website. Managing energy balance through TDEE is key to health outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most accurate and comprehensive term for maintenance calories is Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), which accounts for all the energy your body burns in a day.

No, BMR is only one component of your maintenance calories. Your BMR is the energy your body burns at complete rest, while your maintenance calories (TDEE) include your BMR plus all the calories you burn through physical activity and digestion.

You can calculate your estimated maintenance calories by first finding your BMR using a formula like Mifflin-St Jeor and then multiplying that result by a physical activity level (PAL) multiplier based on your lifestyle.

The key to weight loss is creating a caloric deficit, which means consistently consuming fewer calories than your body burns (your TDEE) over a period of time.

The key to weight gain is creating a caloric surplus, which means consistently consuming more calories than your body burns (your TDEE).

Yes, your maintenance calories are dynamic and can change based on shifts in your weight, body composition, age, or activity level. It is a good practice to recalculate them periodically.

No, it is not recommended to eat below your BMR. Doing so can trigger your body to slow down your metabolism, leading to fatigue and nutrient deficiencies.