Calorie Deficit Equation:
From: | To: |
A daily calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body burns. This energy imbalance forces your body to use stored fat for energy, resulting in weight loss over time.
The calculator uses the simple calorie deficit equation:
Where:
Explanation: A deficit of approximately 500 calories per day typically results in about 1 pound (0.45 kg) of weight loss per week.
Details: Creating a consistent calorie deficit is the fundamental principle behind weight loss. Understanding your deficit helps you plan appropriate dietary changes and track progress toward your weight loss goals.
Tips: Enter your TDEE (calculated through other methods or fitness trackers) and your daily calorie intake. Both values should be in kcal/day. The calculator will show your daily calorie deficit.
Q1: What is a safe calorie deficit for weight loss?
A: A deficit of 500-1000 calories per day is generally considered safe, resulting in 1-2 pounds of weight loss 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, or measured using fitness trackers.
Q3: Can too large a deficit be harmful?
A: Yes, extremely large deficits can cause muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, metabolic slowdown, and other health issues.
Q4: Should I maintain the same deficit every day?
A: Weekly averages matter more than daily numbers. Some people prefer varying their intake throughout the week.
Q5: How accurate is calorie deficit calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate, but individual metabolic variations, measurement errors, and changing TDEE can affect accuracy.