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Knowing how many calories you need to consume each day is essential for losing, gaining,
or maintaining weight. One way to determine this with a technique called the Harris-Benedict
formula, which is one method used to estimate your basal metabolic rate (BMR).
By definition, BMR is your rate of metabolism (the conversion of calories and oxyge
n to energy) at rest. It is the minimum level of energy required to sustain vital functions
such as breathing, digestion, and circulation. The Harris-Benedict formula is often used to
assist weight loss by ensuring that you reduce the intake of calories below what you need
to maintain weight. It was revised in 1984 to be more accurate and was used up until 1990,
when the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation was introduced. The Mifflin-St Jeor Equation also calculates
BMR, and has been shown to be more accurate than the revised Harris-Benedict Equation. In
calculating your calories, we will use the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation.