Trying to like Myfitnesspal

rvenneman
rvenneman Posts: 4 Member
edited October 29 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been using another tracking system and looking for something different. I use a walking app that will interface with MFP. I tried using MFP to add foods but come up with a block that is driving me nuts. With the other app, I can put in the amount of food I want to track, such as adding yogurt and weighing 80 grams, 10 grams of honey, 15 grams of peanut butter, 30 grams of grapenuts. The other system would calculate the calores.

With Myfitnesspal, it seems I do not have the ability to do this. If I search and find a certain yogurt, my options to add is by cups. Almond Breeze only allows a cup or 240ml (which is basically the same.

How would I add the above mentioned foods with the weights or amounts list above in Myfitnesspal.

Thanks.
Richard Venneman

Replies

  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Unfortunately the amounts depend on how the entry was created in the database. For things like yogurt, usually people will use what is considered a serving on the label. So if you eat 80g of yogurt, just say you had 0.25 of a serving of yogurt (80g is 1/4 of 240g).
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Yes, you just adjust the quantity. Some entries though are wrong (user entered) so double check the values.
  • clockworkgeisha
    clockworkgeisha Posts: 48 Member
    I actually find that most things are listed as 100g, 1g or 'whole container' sizes, and normally pick 1g and tell MFP I've had 54 servings (therefore 54g, or whatever). It might be that I'm picking mainly British foods though - we don't use cups over here.
  • mdcoug
    mdcoug Posts: 397 Member
    Usually there are several options of the same food. If you look at some of the other options, they may have the metric you prefer. It is a bit annoying though. You need to be careful and match up foods in the database with the label as best as you can.
  • girlPaula
    girlPaula Posts: 13 Member
    In Europe we use grams, and most MFP things are listed in CUPS or SMALL / MEDIUM / LARGE ....which is stupid!!!! Is it difficult to use scales?
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Most of the entries are user-created anyway so make your own. I personally find the consistent lack of accuracy to be a PITA, and I'm pretty sure it is one of several reasons that we see so many forum posts about counting calories not working.
  • frugalafterfifty
    frugalafterfifty Posts: 240 Member
    For most of my items I see them in every aspect of measurement. I enjoy MFP and how I can track food and exercise. The forum and support are great. I've added foods and created recipes. For me it's not a bother to add a food once and awhile as the benefits of this FREE program outweigh the negatives.
  • rvenneman
    rvenneman Posts: 4 Member
    Thanks. I was working on different ways and the one gram with an adjustment amount seems to work.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Most entries here that don't have grams are user entered...
    girlPaula wrote: »
    In Europe we use grams, and most MFP things are listed in CUPS or SMALL / MEDIUM / LARGE ....which is stupid!!!! Is it difficult to use scales?

    Not all of us live in Europe lost are from North America where grams is not a typical measure.

    Now if it is USDA it is in grams you just have to find that particular listing in the database and use the drop down menu...

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide?hl=Logging+accurately

    If you can't find one.....make it.

  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    Unfortunately the amounts depend on how the entry was created in the database. For things like yogurt, usually people will use what is considered a serving on the label. So if you eat 80g of yogurt, just say you had 0.25 of a serving of yogurt (80g is 1/4 of 240g).

    Is this that common core math I keep hearing about? :wink:
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    edited June 2015
    PeachyPlum wrote: »
    auddii wrote: »
    Unfortunately the amounts depend on how the entry was created in the database. For things like yogurt, usually people will use what is considered a serving on the label. So if you eat 80g of yogurt, just say you had 0.25 of a serving of yogurt (80g is 1/4 of 240g).

    Is this that common core math I keep hearing about? :wink:

    LOL explains a lot doesn't it?

    I can almost always find what I need in grams or at least ounces. Then I can divide out my portion. Otherwise, I can just scan it in.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Ya, I often have to look at several entries before I find one with weights instead of just cups. I try to find the system generated one first, as that will have weights. Entries with asterisks (for desktop) were made by other users, as opposed to the system or by me. I think for mobile they have checkmarks.

    Under (member submitted, x confirmations), there's a "nutritional info" link where you can check the stats and Edit as needed. Your updated entry won't have an asterisk, and so will be easier for you to find. I imagine these come to the top of the search as well.
  • ruggedshutter
    ruggedshutter Posts: 389 Member
    edited June 2015
    I've been using this site to find the food and then searching MFP for the exact food listing, then verifying. It's helped me find errors in the foods that I was using. example, I used a chicken breast entry for a recipe and it had 10g protein more per serving than if I used the USDA entry. I'll be using the USDA page to verify my entries from now on for all non-packaged ingredients.

    http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods
  • LovingLife_Erin
    LovingLife_Erin Posts: 328 Member
    You can add your own foods too. If something isn't in the database, inaccurate, or not in grams, then you can add the food yourself and input the info. that you have for it. That might help!
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    For packaged foods (like frozen vegetables) the serving size is almost always accompanied by a weight in grams. So for some broccoli, I may see a serving size of 1 1/4 cup (85 grams).

    The database entry may often only show the 1 1/4 cup, but because the data matches the nutrition label for that serving size, I know it's referring to the 85 grams serving size. I take my weight serving and divide by labelled serving size and enter that number into MFP.

    For example, I weigh out 104 grams of broccoli. I divide by 85 and get 1.22, which is what I enter. The calories and macronutrients are multiplied off that.

    I do wish MFP would create a numeric serving weight field for database entries instead of just a text name for the serving size. It would be nice if you could enter your serving weight directly instead of having the calculator handy, but I do see where that would be a UI challenge to allow for both ways to work.
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