MyFitnessPal: everything you need to know

Calorie tracking is a popular way to get to grips with weight management, and MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular apps to use. The platform offers a holistic approach to nutrition and exercise, streamlining the user experience with numerous third-party integrations. Read on to learn all about the app.

For a calorie tracking app with a focus on fitness, it’s hard to beat MyFitnessPal. The app includes tools and resources to help users take stock of their diet, as well as their fitness. It even offers a robust online community of users.

Most important features

MyFitnessPal is primarily a food logging and calorie tracking platform. As such, the app offers one of the largest food databases available, including over 14 million foods. However, MyFitnessPal is more than just a digital food diary. MyFitnessPal users track a personalized weight loss plan using the app’s tools. In addition to custom daily calorie goals, below are some of the main features of the app.

• Efficient Food Tracking: Enter your calories by searching the app’s food library or through your food history and saved recipes. You can even scan barcodes or use your phone’s camera to scan meals.
• Detailed Tracking: Set calorie goals and let the app automatically add up and track your progress throughout the week. On MyFitnessPal, users can also dig deeper with macro breakdowns. See how the percentage of carbohydrates, fats and proteins you consume matches your pre-set goals.
• Nutrition Analysis: The app also provides detailed diet analysis on macros, cholesterol, sodium, fiber and more. Set in-app goals for these components and use MyFitnessPal to stay on track.
• Follow water: Health and hydration go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise that MyFitnessPal also offers hydration tracking. Use the app to stay on top of your H2O.
• Exercise calorie tracking: MyFitnessPal offers a more comprehensive experience than most calorie tracking apps by incorporating exercise into the math. Use the app to determine the impact of activities on your calorie budget, so you can adjust your meals accordingly. You can record workouts directly in the app or sync them with the tools you already use.
• Connectivity: Likewise, MyFitnessPal offers robust connectivity to over 50 third-party apps and devices, including those from Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, and many others. That means your diet and nutrition planning can be fully integrated with the services you already know and love.
• Community: MyFitnessPal users can also use the platform to access a sense of community. Meet other users on their own fitness journey, exchange advice and meal ideas, and learn useful tips.

Who uses the app?

• Casual Athletes: If you exercise regularly and care about burning calories as much as counting them, MyFitnessPal is the app for you. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to balance healthy eating with an active lifestyle.
• Nutrition Nuts: MyFitnessPal also provides insight into the composition of food. This makes it an attractive choice for anyone looking to better control their macronutrients. Whether you want to increase your protein or stabilize your sugar intake, the app can give you clear achievable goals for each meal.
• Wearable fans: Few apps offer as much connectivity as MyFitnessPal. If you rock an Apple Watch Series 8, a Fitbit Versa 3, or another popular device, you can probably sync your activity directly to the app.

What can you do with MyFitnessPal?

MyFitnessPal takes the stress out of tracking your calories. Users can lean on the app to keep tabs on their food intake without having to scramble to calculate meals or read food packaging. The app also helps users learn about the nutritional impact of food choices and simplifies healthy meal planning. In turn, it helps to make healthy eating a sustainable habit.

Rather than strict diets that lead to yo-yos of weight gain, MyFitnessPal’s tools promote understanding, moderation, and balance. Users can set and track long-term goals and stay motivated by viewing their progress. For many, that means realistic long-term weight management and a healthier relationship with food.

Plus, through deep integration with fitness and activity metrics, MyFitnessPal also provides context. Users can evaluate their meal planning in relation to their activity and adjust their diet and exercise as needed.

MyFitnessPal is free to download and users will find plenty of tools and features in the basic version of the app. On the other hand, MyFitness Pal Premium offers more tailored guidance and deeper insights.

A subscription to the premium service costs $19.99 per month or about $79.99 per year. It’s certainly pricey, but the fee does cover a more personalized experience (no ads!). The slogan of the premium service is even ‘Your Goals, Your Way’.

Connectivity is where MyFitnessPal really shines. From apps like Strava to companion platforms like Apple Health, MyFitnessPal integrates with many of the biggest names in wellness tracking. Below is a list of services that are compatible with the app.

MyFitnessPal isn’t the only name in the game. However, for an app with a lot of depth and connectivity, it’s one of the best options available. While other calorie tracking apps offer a similar tracking experience, none quite as successfully provide a fitness focus as MyFitnessPal.

On the other hand, some apps offer a no-nonsense approach to food tracking. For users who strictly want to count their calories, MyFitnessPal may be more than you need. Other apps offer an alternative focus, such as Noom, which takes a psychological approach to dieting. Read our dedicated guide to learn more about MyFitnessPal versus competitors, including Lose It, WW (formerly Weight Watchers), or Noom.