Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)
The thermic effect of food, or TEF, is the energy your body burns just to digest, absorb and store the food you eat.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
The thermic effect of food, or TEF, is the energy your body burns just to digest, absorb and store the food you eat. Protein has the highest thermic effect, meaning a higher-protein meal uses more energy to process. It is a small but real part of your daily calorie burn.
Medical
Clinical Definition
The thermic effect of food, also called diet-induced thermogenesis, is the increase in energy expenditure above basal levels after eating, accounting for roughly 10 percent of total daily energy expenditure. It varies by macronutrient: protein elicits the greatest response at 20 to 30 percent, followed by carbohydrate at 5 to 10 percent and fat at 0 to 3 percent, and is influenced by meal size and composition.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
TEF helps explain why higher-protein eating patterns can modestly support weight management. Dr Joseph Wang uses this principle alongside others when personalising nutrition advice.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.