Sources
At Foodimal, our goal is to help you build a joyful and mindful relationship with food, with your Foodimal companion by your side. To help you on this journey, we provide gentle insights based on established nutritional science. Transparency is important to us, so this page explains our approach and the public sources we consult.
Important: For Awareness & Informational Purposes Only
Foodimal is a companion for fostering wellbeing and is not a medical device. The guidance, feedback, and information provided within the app are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Our app is not designed to guide individuals with specific health conditions, including but not limited to food allergies, eating disorders, diabetes, or celiac disease. Your health journey is unique. Before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or lifestyle, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a doctor or registered dietitian. They can provide advice tailored to your personal health needs.
How We Provide Gentle Guidance
To help you and your Foodimal thrive, the app provides an estimate of your daily energy needs. This is not a strict rule, but a gentle baseline to foster awareness of your body's requirements. This estimate is based on your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the amount of energy your body needs at rest. We use the widely recognised Mifflin-St Jeor equation for this calculation.
For Females: (10 x {weight in kg}) + (6.25 x {height in cm}) - (5 x {age in years}) - 161
For Males: (10 x {weight in kg}) + (6.25 x {height in cm}) - (5 x {age in years}) + 5
This BMR is then adjusted based on the activity level you provide to estimate your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE).
Scientific Foundations & Further Reading
Foodimal is built upon publicly available and peer-reviewed scientific information. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the following organisations or authors.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is a validated method for predicting resting energy expenditure.
Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, Hill LA, et al. A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals. _Am J Clin Nutr_. 1990;51(2):241-247. doi:10.1093/ajcn/51.2.241
Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a general screening tool that can be used to identify potential weight categories.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Adult BMI.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html
Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
TDEE accounts for BMR plus the energy used during physical activity.
- Hussain, J., Panwala, T., Patil, M., Upadhyay, J., & Boddula, R. (2024). Comprehensive Review on BMI, TDEE, BMR, and Calories for Weight Management: Insights into Energy Expenditure and Nutrient Balance for Long-Term Well-Being. _International Research Journal on Advanced Engineering and Management_.