Your 'Maintenance' Is A Myth!

The concept of "maintenance calories" is often misunderstood in the world of nutrition. Many people believe that there is a specific number of calories they must consume daily to maintain their current body weight. However, this is a common misconception.

During a recent seminar, Jakob Davis explained why this belief is flawed. He pointed out that daily activities and energy expenditure vary significantly from day to day. For example, today, he might be standing, walking around, and waving his hands while talking. Tomorrow, he could be sitting at his computer for several hours. These differences in activity levels mean that his calorie burn isn't consistent from one day to the next.

This variability is where the concept of N.E.A.T. (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) comes into play. N.E.A.T. encompasses the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating, or sports-like exercise. It includes activities like walking, typing, and even fidgeting. Because these activities can change daily, so does the number of calories burned.

Therefore, when we talk about maintenance calories, it's more accurate to refer to a range rather than a fixed number. Jakob suggests a range of about 150 calories plus or minus to account for daily fluctuations in activity levels. This approach provides a more realistic framework for understanding and managing body weight.

In summary, the idea of a single, static maintenance calorie number is a myth. Daily energy expenditure is dynamic, influenced by various factors, and should be viewed within a flexible range to better reflect the body's needs.