Potential Feature: Using Logged Food Data to Create Shopping Lists!

NateNeedsCoffee
NateNeedsCoffee Posts: 1 Member
in Food and Nutrition
This should be a feature available for premium users. If I am in error, and this feature already does exist, I would love to know how to gain access.

I have tried exporting a printable version of my Diary and using AI to analyze and generate a list, but the text of the exported file is not OCRed, which means it is not readable by any digital document scan. I tried exporting raw data through the available tool, but that data only outputs the raw macro/micronutrient numbers and does not include the food names.

Adding this function could potentially be a great help! Generating shopping lists based on past logs could be a useful tool for efficiently and successfully meeting nutrition goals over time. Though I will admit, creating/using new recipes can be rewarding and a major motivator when dieting, and should be part of the equation at various stages of progress, sometimes time constraints and a sense of what works make that a less than optimal option. Please let me know what you think about this suggestion!
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Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,197 Member
    edited May 30
    MFP staff don't read every post in the whole Community. Here, you're just talking to other MFP users with no more power than you have yourself.

    If you want to suggest a new feature, post here:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/categories/feature-suggestions-and-ideas

    MFP staff do read that section, sometimes reply. Also, others can upvote your suggestion there if they like the idea.

    I think there may be a way to extract food lists in a way that makes the names capturable. Maybe someone else will know, not sure.
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,739 Member
    I would just look at my Recent Foods lists to remind myself if I need anything. Doing that today, actually, since I need to hit up Trader Joe's.

    I eat a lot of the same stuff tho.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,197 Member
    glassyo wrote: »
    I would just look at my Recent Foods lists to remind myself if I need anything. Doing that today, actually, since I need to hit up Trader Joe's.

    I eat a lot of the same stuff tho.

    FWIW, I don't use MFP in any way for grocery lists.

    I have a checklist on my phone of things I buy, and over time it has grown to be quite comprehensive (but not functionally overwhelming). When I get to the "time to replace" level on foods I regularly use (before I'm totally out), I un-check the item so that it sorts into the need-to-buy section. Next time at the store, I buy the things in that section of the list, check them off again.

    I like variety, so there are things I buy that I don't list: For example, I tend to keep some kinds of veggies and some kinds of fruits in good supply at home, but buy whatever looks good/fresh/tempting when I shop.

    I can't imagine a way of manipulating my MFP food log foods that would be simpler than this, and I say that as someone who had a long IT career and likes using technology when it makes my life simpler.

    That said, if OP likes doing it a different way, more power to him.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,940 Member
    edited May 30
    I own two small freezers and keep stock of what's inside with an app (pantrist). I think it can also create shopping lists, but I don't need that functionality. I only need to know what's where in my freezers. And the rest: oh well, it's easy to see for me, and a supermarket is just around the corner.
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,739 Member
    You two are way above how I make my shopping lists. There are things I buy weekly, no matter what, but I just basically scan my pantry, fridge, freezer for things I should replenish and check the sales/digital coupons for anything I want before they expire and then write them down on a small sheet of paper to stick in my pocket when I go to the market (I always walk there.)

    I carry my phone when I go to Trader Joe's but it's just easier to pull that piece of paper out of my pocket and look at it.

  • COGypsy
    COGypsy Posts: 1,352 Member
    The shopping app that I use to order groceries has a running list of everything I’ve bought, so no need for an another app to tell me what it thinks I need. I just click on what needs restocking.
  • faypaulanyc
    faypaulanyc Posts: 1 Member
    100% agree with Nate on this! Feel like the holy grail is to find an App where can meal prep based on desired macros, track what have consumed, save recipes AND generate grocery list. All the data is in MyFitnessPal, so would think this would be doable.

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