Evaluation of the Maximum Carbohydrate Per Day (MCPD) method as a complementary tool to TDEE-based method for calculation of carbohydrate requirement per day

Background: Accurate estimation of daily carbohydrate intake is essential for metabolic health, particularly in populations with a high prevalence of dysglycaemia. Conventional carbohydrate calculation based on Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) does not account for individual variations in glycaemic status. The Maximum Carbohydrate Per Day (MCPD) method incorporates Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS) along with Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and offers a more metabolically responsive alternative. This study compares MCPD with the standard TDEE-based carbohydrate calculation (TDEE-C).Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 257 adults in Gujarat, India. Daily carbohydrate requirements were calculated using both TDEE-C (50% of total energy) and MCPD formulas. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests to compare means, Pearson’s correlation to assess association, Cohen’s d to determine effect size, and Bland–Altman analysis to evaluate agreement and bias.Results: Mean carbohydrate estimates were 648.0 ± 117.9 kcal/day for TDEE-C and 636.6 ± 284.3 kcal/day for MCPD. The difference between methods was not statistically significant (p = 0.366). A strong positive correlation was observed (r = 0.805, p < 0.001). The mean bias was minimal (11.40 kcal/day), with wide limits of agreement (−384.38 to 407.15 kcal/day), reflecting considerable inter-individual variability in glycaemic control. The effect size was negligible (Cohen’s d = 0.051).Conclusion: MCPD provides carbohydrate estimates comparable to TDEE-C at the population level while offering improved individualization through the inclusion of fasting blood glucose. It represents a simple and practical tool for personalized nutrition planning, particularly for individuals with impaired glucose regulation.