Nutrition
Thermic Effect of Food
The thermic effect of food is calories burned digesting meals—highest for protein. It slightly boosts daily burn but cannot offset chronic overeating.
The thermic effect of food (TEF) is the energy cost of digesting, absorbing, and storing what you eat. Protein has the highest TEF, followed by carbs and fat, which is one reason higher-protein meals feel more satisfying.
TEF is a small slice of daily burn, not a magic lever for fat loss alone.
Common questions
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Which macro has the highest thermic effect?
Protein typically burns twenty to thirty percent of its calories in digestion versus roughly five to ten percent for carbs and zero to three percent for fat.
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Can you lose weight by eating more protein for TEF alone?
No—TEF is a small bump. Calorie deficit and adherence still drive fat loss; protein mainly preserves lean mass and satiety.
Related terms
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