How accurate is MFP?

Honeykun
Honeykun Posts: 9
in Food and Nutrition
How accurate is MFP when it comes to food and exercise? Sometimes it's dead on, and sometimes it's not when looking up the calories on the package. Though there are many foods where I don't have the nutrition list (I eat a lot in cafeterias).

I track my walking times with MFP as well though I do my best to eat under the number of calories it has listed before the extra gets added with the exercise count but I'm not sure that's right either.

I've been on this site just under a week now and I like it so far but I'm just curious...

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Most foods are entered by users, so the accuracy can very widely.

    As far as calorie burns estimates from exercise, I don't think it's very accurate at all.
  • Erienneb
    Erienneb Posts: 592 Member
    As far as the food goes, I always look at a couple and either average or take the high amount.

    For exersise I have found it's high. I got my heart rate zones tested and know a much closer calorie count and MFP almost doubles depending on the activity.

    But for calorie intake it was low. It said to lose 2lbs a week I should eat 1680 at my current weight. But when I got everything tested my 2lb a week range is more like 1916...I changed my goals on my own to a number in between to see how it works.

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