Reference
Use this topic when you want to understand the calculations behind a calorie or weight number. It explains calorie budgets, weight maintenance calories, BMR, BMI and the required deficit, including why a budget can fall below BMR. You can also check whether MyNetDiary calculates WeightWatchers POINTS or find the What's New section. For changing your weight goal, calorie budget or nutrient targets, use Calories, Macros, and Goals instead.
How your calorie budget is calculated
Use when you want to understand calorie budget, maintenance calories, BMR or deficit calculations, or troubleshoot AutoPilot calculations.
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How are the Calorie Budget and Weight Maintenance Calories calculated?
See the three steps behind your Calorie Budget: Weight Maintenance Calories, the Required Daily Calorie Deficit, and the final budget, and what is left out.
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How do we calculate BMR calories? Can I enter my own? Free
Explaing our BMR calculations and ways to adjust it
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Understanding Your Calorie Budget in Relation to Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) Free
Understand why your Calorie Budget may sit below your BMR, why the 1200 calorie floor ended, and how to keep a gradual, healthy pace.
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How is the Required Deficit calculated?
See how the Required Deficit is calculated from the pounds left to lose and the days left to your target date, with a worked example.
When your calorie budget is below your resting needs
Use when your calculated Calorie Budget is less than your BMR or AutoPilot shows a BMR budget problem.
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Resolving Autopilot Issues: Calorie Budget Below BMR
Fix the Advanced Autopilot error that stops you saving settings when the calorie budget falls below BMR, by slowing the rate or setting the budget by hand.
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Autopilot Troubleshooting: BMR Budget Issues for 1.5-2 lb/week Weight Loss
Fix Advanced Autopilot when the calorie budget falls below BMR on a 1.5 or 2 lb/week goal, by changing the target weight, target date, or weekly rate.
Find explanations for health numbers and app tools
Use when you ask how BMI works, why food calories differ, about WW POINTS, or want the water converter or What’s New.
- How does the app calculate BMI? Can I enter my own BMI?
- BMI and underweight targets
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Food calories don't match calories calculated from fats, carbs, and proteins
Understand why calories calculated from carbs, protein, and fat can differ from the label, and why daily totals may miss planned values.
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Does MyNetDiary calculate WeightWatchers® POINTS®?
Learn why MyNetDiary tracks calories and nutrients instead of WeightWatchers POINTS, and what feedback you get on food, exercise, and nutrients.
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Water Conversion Calculator
Convert between water weight and volume with a few simple equivalents, such as 1 g to 1 ml and 1 fl oz to about 29.6 ml.
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How to View the “What’s New” Section in the App
Find What's New in the App Guide: open Diet Tools on iPhone or Android, or use the left-side pop-out menu to open the App Guide on iPad.
Common questions about Reference
How does MyNetDiary calculate my calorie budget?
It first estimates your Weight Maintenance Calories with the Institute of Medicine's Estimated Energy Requirements formula, using age, sex, height, and weight. It then divides the pounds left to lose times 3,500 by the days left until your target date to get your required daily deficit, and subtracts that deficit from maintenance calories.
Why is my calorie budget lower than my BMR?
Your budget can fall below BMR with a 2 lb/week loss rate and exercise calories excluded. A slower rate or enabling Add Exercise to Calorie Budget raises it. The old 1200-calorie floor was removed. Eating below BMR can harm your health and should only be followed with a registered dietitian's guidance or under medical supervision.
Why don't a food's calories match its fat, carbs, and protein?
The 4-4-9 rule, 4 calories per gram of carbs and protein and 9 per gram of fat, uses approximate averages that vary by type, so differences of a few percent are normal. If the calculated and listed calories differ by more than 20%, double-check the Nutrition Facts. This can also make daily totals differ from planned calories and macros.
How are BMR and BMI calculated?
BMR is estimated with the Mifflin formula and represents the calories your body burns at rest to maintain normal functions. BMI uses the formula published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It indicates whether your current or target weight is in a healthy range.
Did Not Find It?
Email support@mynetdiary.com or send a request from the app under Me, then Support. Most replies within one business day.