Going to Europe - help using MFP!

Maxine00
Maxine00 Posts: 31
in Food and Nutrition
Hi European MFP users! I'm going to Germany and Austria for work/vacation mix and I'm worried about being a 'lil MFP angel over there...

Are European products listed in the food database? Are most products listed in European serving size measurements?

Do the bar codes of products scan over there? I'll be roaming on my iPhone so I probably won't be able to use the scanner much...

Thanks!
Max

Replies

  • SanjiSun
    SanjiSun Posts: 69 Member
    Hi there,

    never used the bar code scan here (Germany), but I would assume that this is not very well supported.
    However there are many European products listed in the database.
    And yes, most are listed in European service size measurements.
    If you have any questions while you are over here, just drop me a message =)
  • orangesmartie
    orangesmartie Posts: 1,870 Member
    I live in the UK and have used MFP all over europe and never had a problem. It takes some playing about with to get servings in proper measurements (i.e ml/g rather than in cups and oz) but the barcode scanner works fine as does the search function. For those rarer foods, sometimes you just have to make 'best guess' with food closest on the database, but i've never had to do that yet touch wood!
  • tyresank
    tyresank Posts: 174 Member
    Hi Max
    Just wanted to say that I travel a lot and have had no issue finding most foods in the database, and I recently returned from Thailand, which I found a bit hard to find in the database, but in Europe usually not as much trouble. I am sure you will do splendid. Most foods will be in the metric system of measurements, you are correct.
  • Maxine00
    Maxine00 Posts: 31
    Thanks! I hope European users have been uploading info in grams...
  • SanjiSun
    SanjiSun Posts: 69 Member
    Thanks! I hope European users have been uploading info in grams...

    uh, yes, contrary to you we always use grams over here ;-)
  • Antlady69
    Antlady69 Posts: 204 Member
    I'm from Germany and was surprised to find many German foods already in MFP's databse. If you cannot find your food in the databse, it's not big deal: nearly all products you can buy have the calories, protein, sodium etc. listed on the packaging (strangely enough not on ready-to-serve leafy salads, though).

    Of course everything is in the metric system but you can use the excellent http://www.onlineconversion.com/ site for easy conversions.

    Other than that, you shouldn't have too many problems eating healthy if you apply common sense (our salad sauces are just as rich as the ones in the States) ;)

    Enjoy your trip over here!
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    I live in Germany and have no problem. A lot is already in the database otherwise I create my own entry with the data on the package. Sometime conversion in units is a pain but google is your friend. You will need to spell German words correctly. Good luck with that. :)
  • Maxine00
    Maxine00 Posts: 31
    Thanks everyone. Fingers crossed!

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