TDEE Calculator for Paleo: Calorie Needs on a Whole Foods Diet
The Paleo diet eliminates processed foods, grains, legumes, and dairy in favour of meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. Despite its food quality focus, total calorie intake still determines body composition outcomes. Use your TDEE to set a calorie target, then fill it with Paleo-approved foods to achieve your specific goal — whether that's weight loss, maintenance, or performance.
The paleo diet focuses on eating whole, unprocessed foods that our ancestors would have had access to. In practice, this means meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while cutting out grains, dairy, legumes, and processed foods. Your TDEE calculation stays the same regardless of diet philosophy. The advantage of paleo for many people is that it naturally reduces calorie intake by eliminating calorie dense processed foods and emphasising protein and fiber, both of which promote satiety. The downside is that cutting out grains and dairy removes cheap, convenient calorie sources, which can make hitting your TDEE challenging if you have high energy needs.
- Your TDEE doesn't change based on the diet you follow. Paleo works for weight loss because it naturally increases protein and reduces processed calorie sources.
- If you struggle to eat enough calories on paleo, add more healthy fats from avocados, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish.
- Paleo eliminates dairy and grains, which are common sources of calcium and B vitamins. Consider bone broth, leafy greens, and sardines as alternatives.
- You don't need to be 100 percent strict to benefit from paleo principles. Even reducing processed food intake by 80 percent delivers most of the health advantages.
More calculators
Other calculators that fit your goal
Hand-picked recommendations — tailor your calculation to your situation.
TDEE Calculator for Keto: How Many Calories Do You Need on Low Carb?
Calories still matter on keto. Calculate your TDEE to set the right energy targets before adjusting your carb intake.
How to Calculate Your TDEE for Weight Loss
Calculate your TDEE and set the right calorie deficit to lose weight safely. 300–500 kcal below maintenance for steady, sustainable fat loss.
Calculate Your TDEE for Bulking and Muscle Gain
Calculate your TDEE for lean muscle gain. Add 200–400 kcal surplus to build muscle without excessive fat. Based on Mifflin-St Jeor equation.
Vegan Macro Calculator: Hit Your Protein Goals on a Plant-Based Diet
Calculate your optimal macros for a vegan diet. Hit your protein targets from plant sources while meeting carb and fat needs.
Dive Deeper
Explore our in-depth guides on this topic
How Many Calories Per Day to Lose Weight? The Honest Answer
How many calories you should eat per day to lose weight — with the formula, realistic examples for women and men, a table by activity level, and the most common mistakes that make diets fail.
BMR vs TDEE: What’s the Difference (And Which One Should You Use)?
BMR is the energy you burn at complete rest. TDEE is your real-world daily burn, including activity and digestion. Use TDEE to set goal calories; use BMR only as a component in the calculation.
How to Calculate Your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)
A clear, step-by-step guide to calculate your TDEE correctly using Mifflin–St Jeor and activity factors, plus common mistakes to avoid.