I'm afraid it's a very debated topic and trying to find the right answer for you is like trying to find a platinum needle in a stack of silver needles. Some people believe you need your TDEE, if not more, others believe a deficit to a certain degree is perfectly fine. Like many areas of bodybuilding, you're going to have to do what you feel is right. If I was to make any recommendation in regards to diet:
- Make sure you eat 6 meals a day (Roughly every 2 1/2 - 3 hours).
- Eat a well varied diet and make sure EVERY meal contains a good source of complete / whole protein (Eggs, Fish, Cheese etc).
- Calculate your caloric intake and if you're way off the TDEE mark, find ways of introducing more calories in a healthy manner (Not shite food) E.G. Flax seeds are a good source of unsaturated fats, 9 calories per gram, add one or two tablespoons of these to your protein drink.
- Be creative.
Beyond that, there really isn't much more I could recommend.
Be a skeptical thinker: Gather as much information as you can, but be a skeptic. Read books, check the forums and, most of all, ask questions! Believe nothing you hear, 5% of what you read, and only 50% of what you see. Most of learning will involve trying things for yourself and see what works for you so don't trust anything you hear or read unless there is published, peer-reviewed, university research which backs up the claims. Remember that not too long ago proper nutrition was "three square meals a day" with lots of red meat, cheese, and dairy. Especially be skeptical of any claims in muscle magazines because many exist just to sell supplements.
I find this quote nails the whole process very squarely on the head, most of what you discover that works for yourself will take time and you will make mistakes along the way, but you will have to discover it for yourself.
