Patient-Friendly Explanation

Diet-induced thermogenesis, also called the thermic effect of food, is the energy your body uses to digest, absorb, and process the food you eat. It accounts for about 10% of your daily calorie burn. Interestingly, protein-rich foods require almost three times more energy to digest than fats or carbohydrates.

Clinical Definition

Diet-Induced Thermogenesis (DIT) refers to the increase in energy expenditure above basal metabolic rate following food intake, encompassing the metabolic cost of digestion, absorption, transport, and storage of nutrients. DIT typically accounts for 10-15% of total daily energy expenditure, with macronutrient-specific values: protein 20-30%, carbohydrate 5-10%, and fat 0-3% of ingested energy.

Why It Matters

Understanding DIT explains why higher-protein diets tend to be more effective for weight loss — your body burns more calories just processing protein. At NuLifeCare, we use this principle when designing personalised meal plans that maximise metabolic efficiency and support sustainable weight loss.