How accurate is MYP food and calories database?

mrsheu

And what do you do if there is a discrepancy?

For example, yesterday I ate half of a croissant from Costco. There were several MYP listings for this item, calorie count ranging from 250 to 350. I did a quick google search and found that it is suppose to be closer to 350 calories.

I was almost tempted to log the lower calorie, because I'm daily limit is 1100 (it is low because of my height, 60 inches).

AmyRhubarb

I always try to confirm that the info in the database is correct by checking the label on the food itself, or on the restaurants or maker's website. If the database info is wrong, I will make a new entry with the correct info and use that.

There are a lot of errors unfortunately - sometimes because the manufacturer changes something over time which changes the nutritional info, or a user enters it incorrectly by mistake, or changes the serving size for their own use or whatever. Frustrating and tedious when you can find the correct one, but it gets easier over time if you eat the same foods frequently - they'll show up at the top of your list.

slick_fox

Usually MFP is correct BUT I verify that is stated on the label. I have been on this site of 16 months.

What is really off is the calories burned while exercising.

donna_glasgow

I add my own foods ... that way I know they are accurate, some of the foods on the database are fine, but I honestly think some of them are added as a joke.

Bobby_Clerici

I had to tweak everything in the exercise burn database, and I always double check the foods' calorie content.
I think some of the people entering these foods have come down a major case of "wishful thinking":laugh:

OMG_Twinkies

For the most part, I haven't noticed any huge discrepancies in the database EXCEPT on restaurant food. MFP totals have been very underestimated from my experience, so I take the time to look those up myself.

vjrose

I double check my package if it is a member added item. MFP added numbers are usually pretty good but the companies change the product and then the website is incorrect and I doubt they have time or money to track down every change. So I do end up checking websites for the correct values also sometimes. Thank goodness for "recent foods".

k2quiere

I don't know of said MYP database, but I've done perfectly well using the one here. If there are multiple entries it's because too many people have decided to create their own instead of using what had existed, which causes discrepancies. In this case, I usually use the one with the highest count.

tripod271

I had to tweak everything in the exercise burn database, and I always double check the foods' calorie content.
I think some of the people entering these foods have come down a major case of "wishful thinking":laugh:

I'm wondering what you use so that your calories burned are more accurate. I have found the numbers to be off as well.

darrensurrey

Usually MFP is correct BUT I verify that is stated on the label. I have been on this site of 16 months.

What is really off is the calories burned while exercising.

Agreed! And agreed! I always check the label of new food that I've eaten. I've ended up sticking to a core selection of food that I eat just to make life easier.

Tricialew32

I check most food against the label if available or another site when in doubt when it comes to logging food.

I don't trust any of the exercise database because a 28 year old Man of 280 lbs is going to burn more calories then a 40 year old 140 lb woman doing the same exercise for the same amount of time.

I've been wearing a fitbit to get calorie burn info but at best, that is still just an estimate (usually on the lower end according to my HRM).

KStambulic

I had to tweak everything in the exercise burn database, and I always double check the foods' calorie content.
I think some of the people entering these foods have come down a major case of "wishful thinking":laugh:

I'm wondering what you use so that your calories burned are more accurate. I have found the numbers to be off as well.

Sometimes I double the time when I know the calories burned are way off. For example, when I am mowing with my non-motorized push mower, I burn more calories than someone with a motorized mower because it's harder work.

abnerner

I find the exercise to be off more often than the food, which is why i got a HRM

Bobby_Clerici

I had to tweak everything in the exercise burn database, and I always double check the foods' calorie content.
I think some of the people entering these foods have come down a major case of "wishful thinking":laugh:

I'm wondering what you use so that your calories burned are more accurate. I have found the numbers to be off as well.

I had to just take my best guess, then track results over the week. I found my zone.
The issue is that I am in great shape.
YIPYIPYIP YAHOO except that it throws off calorie burn rates. I play tennis, and MFP says that burns 600 calories per hour; however, I log it in as 475. Anyway, this is how I had to look at everything.

gayje

I always double check the accuracy of food items against the food labels, website or if it's produce I go to www.usda.org to make sure the food items are correct. If they aren't you are able to edit the item and by editing items we see fewer similar entries.

Also, I find that some users are only counting certain nutritional information and so not all the information is entered. This is frustrating because I watch everything from calories to sugars and all that falls in between too. It is the only way for me to know what and how I am fueling my body.

I didn't know until reading someones post in this thread that the exercise database could be edited too. Personally, I think there should be an "other" category in the exersize database so that we can include something that isn't already there.

All in all, be honest with yourself and if given multiple options don't just choose the lesser of them. Do your research and choose EXACTLY the item you are consuming. If you don't, the only person you are cheating is yourself and you will set yourself up for failure.

tripod271

I had to tweak everything in the exercise burn database, and I always double check the foods' calorie content.
I think some of the people entering these foods have come down a major case of "wishful thinking":laugh:

I'm wondering what you use so that your calories burned are more accurate. I have found the numbers to be off as well.

I had to just take my best guess, then track results over the week. I found my zone.
The issue is that I am in great shape.
YIPYIPYIP YAHOO except that it throws off calorie burn rates. I play tennis, and MFP says that burns 600 calories per hour; however, I log it in as 475. Anyway, this is how I had to look at everything.

Makes sense! Especially since a muscular , fit person's body would more efficiently burn fewer calories than say a heavier, out of shape person given the same exertion. Thanks, I'll remember to make some adjustments as I get further along.

Bobby_Clerici

I had to tweak everything in the exercise burn database, and I always double check the foods' calorie content.
I think some of the people entering these foods have come down a major case of "wishful thinking":laugh:

I'm wondering what you use so that your calories burned are more accurate. I have found the numbers to be off as well.

I had to just take my best guess, then track results over the week. I found my zone.
The issue is that I am in great shape.
YIPYIPYIP YAHOO except that it throws off calorie burn rates. I play tennis, and MFP says that burns 600 calories per hour; however, I log it in as 475. Anyway, this is how I had to look at everything.

Makes sense! Especially since a muscular , fit person's body would more efficiently burn fewer calories than say a heavier, out of shape person given the same exertion. Thanks, I'll remember to make some adjustments as I get further along.

And the fit person SHOULD be pushing himself more, but he does not always, and such is life....:bigsmile: