Nutrition
Daily intake target
The figure to actually eat, which is maintenance plus the surplus.
The Formula
target = maintenance + daily surplus
The figure to actually eat, which is maintenance plus the surplus.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T | Daily target | number | Calories to eat each day. |
| M | Maintenance | number | Total daily energy expenditure. |
| S | Daily surplus | number | Extra calories per day. |
What Each Symbol Means
Tnumber
Daily target
Calories to eat each day.
Mnumber
Maintenance
Total daily energy expenditure.
Snumber
Daily surplus
Extra calories per day.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate a caloric surplus page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate A Caloric Surplus, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.