MFP Net Calories

HeyJudii

I am confused about how MFP determines net calories. I thought it was calories in (food/beverages consumed) minus calories out (energy burned).

But, if my BMR is higher than what I have eaten that day (illness), why would my net be the amount of calories I ate, since just being alive (no matter how close to death I thought I was ) I burned more than I ate?

My Home Page shows "Exercise" being subtracted from "Food" but is that true "Net"?
I thought MFP calculations were based on NEAT.

jjpptt2

Yes, that is your net calories.
Yes, MFP is based on Neat.

MFP gives you a calorie goal based on your estimated BMR, activity level (not including exercise) and weight loss goal. Your goal is to "net" the number of calories MFP has estimated for you. Your body needs calories to function... so you have to give it to them. That's why you're net will/should always be above your BMR.

If/when you exercise, you are asking your body to do more, thus it needs more calories to be healthy. That's why exercise is subtracted from food and your net calories change.

HeyJudii

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Yes, that is your net calories.
Yes, MFP is based on Neat.

MFP gives you a calorie goal based on your estimated BMR, activity level (not including exercise) and weight loss goal. Your goal is to "net" the number of calories MFP has estimated for you. Your body needs calories to function... so you have to give it to them. That's why you're net will/should always be above your BMR.

If/when you exercise, you are asking your body to do more, thus it needs more calories to be healthy. That's why exercise is subtracted from food and your net calories change.

But,
my net calories, was exactly what I ate that day. If, I would require say, 1000 (nice round number) even if I was in a coma, and I ate 500 calories, wouldn't my net be -500, not 500?

stanmann571

A screenshot would be helpful.

IF you exercise, those calories are added to your NEAT. Your food is subtracted from the total and your NET is any remaining.

What you're describing may be a bug or just an interesting anomaly.

glassyo

1000 (tdee while in a coma) minus 500 (what you're fed while in the coma) equals 500. That's your net.

jjpptt2

HeyJudii wrote: »

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Yes, that is your net calories.
Yes, MFP is based on Neat.

MFP gives you a calorie goal based on your estimated BMR, activity level (not including exercise) and weight loss goal. Your goal is to "net" the number of calories MFP has estimated for you. Your body needs calories to function... so you have to give it to them. That's why you're net will/should always be above your BMR.

If/when you exercise, you are asking your body to do more, thus it needs more calories to be healthy. That's why exercise is subtracted from food and your net calories change.

But,
my net calories, was exactly what I ate that day. If, I would require say, 1000 (nice round number) even if I was in a coma, and I ate 500 calories, wouldn't my net be -500, not 500?

Correct. Net = food eaten - exercise.

Yes and no - you're look at it backwards. In your example, you would have a net energy balance of -500. In that sense, you are correct. MFP is coming at it from the other end... giving you a calorie goal and working off that number. In your example, MFP is telling you have 500 calories net remaining to eat. You're trying to net the number MFP gives you, not zero.

nutmegoreo

HeyJudii wrote: »

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Yes, that is your net calories.
Yes, MFP is based on Neat.

MFP gives you a calorie goal based on your estimated BMR, activity level (not including exercise) and weight loss goal. Your goal is to "net" the number of calories MFP has estimated for you. Your body needs calories to function... so you have to give it to them. That's why you're net will/should always be above your BMR.

If/when you exercise, you are asking your body to do more, thus it needs more calories to be healthy. That's why exercise is subtracted from food and your net calories change.

But,
my net calories, was exactly what I ate that day. If, I would require say, 1000 (nice round number) even if I was in a coma, and I ate 500 calories, wouldn't my net be -500, not 500?

No. MFP doesn't subtract your NEAT in that equation. Your NET calories should be close to your target calories. Food consumed - exercise calories = NET calories. MFP uses NEAT to calculate your target, which is why you are supposed to eat those exercise calories.

HeyJudii

jjpptt2 wrote: »

You're trying to net the number MFP gives you, not zero.

Perfectly clear. Thank you!

TavistockToad

HeyJudii wrote: »

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Yes, that is your net calories.
Yes, MFP is based on Neat.

MFP gives you a calorie goal based on your estimated BMR, activity level (not including exercise) and weight loss goal. Your goal is to "net" the number of calories MFP has estimated for you. Your body needs calories to function... so you have to give it to them. That's why you're net will/should always be above your BMR.

If/when you exercise, you are asking your body to do more, thus it needs more calories to be healthy. That's why exercise is subtracted from food and your net calories change.

But,
my net calories, was exactly what I ate that day. If, I would require say, 1000 (nice round number) even if I was in a coma, and I ate 500 calories, wouldn't my net be -500, not 500?

Your net is not the same as your NEAT calories?