What is meant by caloric deficit?

A caloric deficit refers to a state in which an individual consumes fewer calories than their body expends through daily activities and metabolic processes. This concept is central to weight management and is often employed in weight loss strategies. When a person is in a caloric deficit, the body must tap into its energy stores—primarily fat—to meet its energy needs, resulting in weight loss over time.

Maintaining a caloric deficit is essential for effective weight loss because it creates an energy imbalance that forces the body to use stored energy. While complete fasting is not sustainable or healthy long-term, which rules out not consuming any calories for a day, it’s important to emphasize that simply eating fewer calories must also be coupled with adequate nutrition to ensure that the body receives essential nutrients. A balanced diet, while crucial for health, does not inherently imply a caloric deficit unless calorie intake is lower than expenditure.