STEADFAST TRAINING GLOSSARY
Definition
Total daily energy expenditure, or TDEE, is all the energy your body uses over a day, including basic functions, food processing and physical activity.
What it means
Physical activity includes both planned exercise and ordinary movement. TDEE is broader than the calories displayed for a workout and broader than basal metabolic rate.
A practical example
Someone who trains for an hour but sits for the rest of the day may have a different activity pattern from someone with an active job. The workout alone does not describe either person’s full day.
Putting it into practice
Use calculator results as estimates. Select an activity level that reflects your usual routine, then assess the estimate against longer term observations. Avoid automatically adding exercise calories again if the activity factor already includes them.
Related terms
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) · Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) · Maintenance Calories
Explore further
Calorie calculator and daily energy estimates · Browse the glossary
Source
National Academies: Factors Affecting Energy Expenditure and Requirements