What is Metabolism Based Eating?
By: Stephanie Mull, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS
Metabolism Based Eating (MBE) is exactly as the name implies – it is a way of eating based on your metabolism. Scientifically speaking, MBE is a tailored nutrition plan centered around one’s metabolic rate. If we add in a body composition or body fat percentage, then we have the most accurate nutrition plan possible entirely customized to you. Metabolism Based Eating is not a diet. Rather it serves as an objective way to provide nutrition intervention using calorie and macronutrient targets from Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and body composition assessments. The RMR and body composition assessments allow for customized planning for your unique needs to support whatever goals you may have.
Metabolism Based Eating was created by myself, a Registered Dietitian, and Todd Miller, a PhD exercise physiologist. We have over 55 years of combined experience in the exercise and nutrition science industries. When we connected in 2013, we realized how many gaps existed in both fields. These gaps are present not only in education but also in practice, particularly as it relates to assessment and intervention for weight management. We combined our knowledge and experience, poured through the existing scientific literature, and created MBE. 
The Miller Method
There are many cool things about MBE! First and foremost, it’s effective for long-term sustainable fat loss, which is the single greatest way to improve your health. We are focused on the end-goal from the start, and not just the immediate results. Our goal is to get that fat off your body at an appropriate rate which increases your success rate long-term. We also want to protect and optimize your metabolism long-term, so you eat more as you get lighter.
We focus on fat loss for the sole reason that it is the most effective way to improve health and athletic performance. If an athlete wants to run faster, then we look to see if there is room to improve the body composition. If someone needs to improve lipid or glucose levels, then we will optimize the body composition as our primary intervention before we focus on fiber, fat sources, or even vegetable intake. By approaching nutrition intervention this way, we give you the greatest chance at long-term success and health improvements.
Another awesome thing about MBE is that it is 100% objective. I will not tell my clients how to eat. That’s not my job. My job is to tell them how much to eat to meet their needs and support their goals. Together we can figure out their food philosophy to make them feel good with what they are eating. Oftentimes, people will pick a food philosophy as a way to improve weight or health. For example, someone may become vegan thinking that is what will help them lose weight or improve their diabetes. Those results may or may not happen. Weight loss and chronic health issues are improved with specific nutrition intervention. Some people get lucky by adopting a food philosophy first. Most don’t. Food quantity trumps food quality for weight loss. If you don’t know how many calories you are consuming, then your strategy is defeating its purpose.
The number one thing we ask our clients to be is objective. We remove all emotion from our process and focus on the objective data available to us – metabolism test results, body composition assessment, food tracking information, and even lab work. By approaching nutrition intervention this way, you improve your relationship with food and see effective, long-term results.Stephanie is an experienced sports specialist dietitian who is passionate about guiding people who want to optimize their body composition and improve their metabolism. She is also one of our MightyFIT Nutrition Experts! Contact her for more information about metabolism-based eating and for healthy meal planning guidance. New customers get a FREE consultation!