We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Is MFP daily calorie intake REALLY correct?

2»

Replies

  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    I don't follow what MFP sets for me. I changed it to 1500 a day intake, and I changed my macros to 30 carb 35 protein 35 fat.

    MFP also says my TDEE is 2700 a day lol. My doctor says it's more like 1100.

    Also, I had my BMR tested and it was 801 - 911, not 1800 like it said online.

    Don't trust computers, they are trying to take over the world. SKYNET! LOL

    Your are confused (or your goal is weight gain)............FIRST of all if your TDEE was 1100 calories......you would be gaining weight by eating 1500 calories. OP is not asking about weight gain.

    BMR - basal metabolic rate.....calories your body would use if you were in a coma.

    TDEE - total daily energy expenditure .....BMR+ activity level + exercise ......in other words.....maintenance.

    SECOND.......MFP gives you XXXX calories based upon "I want to lose XX pounds per week"..........If a 6'5" woman puts in a rediculously high weight loss goal.......MFP spits out 1200 calories. This is NOT MFP saying it's a healthy daily calorie goal.....it's just doing math.....and setting the number at it's lowest default.

    THIRD.....men have a higher default than women. Men typically have more muscle mass.....it takes calories to maintain existing muscle. If you want to lose "weight" as fast as possible....if the number on the scale is more important than fat to muscle ratio.....by all means put in a rediculously high weekly goal.

    Morbidly obese people can lose 2 pounds a week ......people within 15 pounds of goal ......1/2 pound a week is more like it.

    Of course MFP is using estimates.....activity level is a range......not all people has the same fat to muscle ratio (higher fat = slower metabolism)....Calorie burns for exercise are estimates......even a heart rate monitor is an estimate ........BUT MFP numbers work for most people.....provided they have supplied accurate (and sensible) information.

    My TDEE is 1100 - 1200, according to my hospital tests, BMR is 801 - 911. Therefore I eat 1500, burn 500 and have a deficit of 100 - 200 day.
  • zealey77
    zealey77 Posts: 104
    OK, thanks everyone for thoughts. I guess best way is trial and error. Here's a funny thing though (not on original topic). I weighed myself in jeans and top on Tuesday afternoon and it showed 17st 9pounds. I've weighed myself just now (Thurs morning) in just my boxer shorts and it says 16st 11pounds. Wow, how can I fluctuate so much in under 48 hours???? BTW, I didn't have lead weights in my jeans pockets!! LOL
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    OK, thanks everyone for thoughts. I guess best way is trial and error. Here's a funny thing though (not on original topic). I weighed myself in jeans and top on Tuesday afternoon and it showed 17st 9pounds. I've weighed myself just now (Thurs morning) in just my boxer shorts and it says 16st 11pounds. Wow, how can I fluctuate so much in under 48 hours???? BTW, I didn't have lead weights in my jeans pockets!! LOL

    jeans and a top are heavier than boxers to start with....

    plus weighing in the afternoon which means you have the literal weigh tof the food and drink you have consumed through the day so of course its goign to be more.

    weigh the same time same day in the same clothes (or without any) to get an accutate measurement.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    There's too much risk to fill up the rest that you need with junk foods.

    What is this even supposed to mean? If it's food, then it isn't "junk." That's crazy talk.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I don't follow what MFP sets for me. I changed it to 1500 a day intake, and I changed my macros to 30 carb 35 protein 35 fat.

    MFP also says my TDEE is 2700 a day lol. My doctor says it's more like 1100.

    Also, I had my BMR tested and it was 801 - 911, not 1800 like it said online.

    Don't trust computers, they are trying to take over the world. SKYNET! LOL

    Your are confused (or your goal is weight gain)............FIRST of all if your TDEE was 1100 calories......you would be gaining weight by eating 1500 calories. OP is not asking about weight gain.

    BMR - basal metabolic rate.....calories your body would use if you were in a coma.

    TDEE - total daily energy expenditure .....BMR+ activity level + exercise ......in other words.....maintenance.

    SECOND.......MFP gives you XXXX calories based upon "I want to lose XX pounds per week"..........If a 6'5" woman puts in a rediculously high weight loss goal.......MFP spits out 1200 calories. This is NOT MFP saying it's a healthy daily calorie goal.....it's just doing math.....and setting the number at it's lowest default.

    THIRD.....men have a higher default than women. Men typically have more muscle mass.....it takes calories to maintain existing muscle. If you want to lose "weight" as fast as possible....if the number on the scale is more important than fat to muscle ratio.....by all means put in a rediculously high weekly goal.

    Morbidly obese people can lose 2 pounds a week ......people within 15 pounds of goal ......1/2 pound a week is more like it.

    Of course MFP is using estimates.....activity level is a range......not all people has the same fat to muscle ratio (higher fat = slower metabolism)....Calorie burns for exercise are estimates......even a heart rate monitor is an estimate ........BUT MFP numbers work for most people.....provided they have supplied accurate (and sensible) information.

    My TDEE is 1100 - 1200, according to my hospital tests, BMR is 801 - 911. Therefore I eat 1500, burn 500 and have a deficit of 100 - 200 day.

    TDEE = BMR + activity level (ie sedentary) + exercise. ......so your TDEE is 911+500+activity level (even sedentary is above BMR).
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    I don't follow what MFP sets for me. I changed it to 1500 a day intake, and I changed my macros to 30 carb 35 protein 35 fat.

    MFP also says my TDEE is 2700 a day lol. My doctor says it's more like 1100.

    Also, I had my BMR tested and it was 801 - 911, not 1800 like it said online.

    Don't trust computers, they are trying to take over the world. SKYNET! LOL

    Are you 4' tall?
  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    I trust MFP, if you entered your information honestly then your numbers are right.
  • wmahunter
    wmahunter Posts: 6
    I have not hit my total daily calories at all. Still adjusting foods. Sometimes over on carbs until I exercise and it wipes them out.

    Still adjusting what I can and cannot eat from foods I use to eat. They were all healthy but found it was more loaded on the sugars side. So off with the fruit and smaller portions on the pasta.
  • sdreed25
    sdreed25 Posts: 208 Member
    If it helps you at all I'm a 6ft 2 guy who does about the same activity as you and I'm losing well at 2,250 cal per day
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    I don't follow what MFP sets for me. I changed it to 1500 a day intake, and I changed my macros to 30 carb 35 protein 35 fat.

    MFP also says my TDEE is 2700 a day lol. My doctor says it's more like 1100.

    Also, I had my BMR tested and it was 801 - 911, not 1800 like it said online.

    Don't trust computers, they are trying to take over the world. SKYNET! LOL

    Are you 4' tall?

    LOL no!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories