You have to be sure to use the same settings on both sites (check your height, current weight, age, etc., then go on to your goal, they all have to be the same). I found that when I got them both set up, I was typically within about 50 calories between the two sites, which honestly is probably equivalent to the uncertainty in data entry for food anyway.

Fitbit also recalculates your daily food "allowance" throughout the day, so the number will change! Don't get distracted by this. Essentially, Fitbit recalculates your energy need throughout the day based on your activity level over the past few hours. I usually find by the end of the day (just before bed) the two (MFP and Fitbit) are pretty much in agreement, but throughout the day, MFPs number is static while the Fitbit number changes a little based on what I've been doing.

Ok so I just bought a fitbit one and the fit bit site has given me less calories a day then this site so which should I follow?

Yes make sure your weight loss goals are the same on both (weekly rate of loss). The other thing, if your MFP allowance starts at 1200 calories than it is likely that your fitbit allowance will be less. The reason is, 1200 is MFP's minimum allowance. MFP deducts your requested deficit off what it expects you to burn at your stated activity level, but if that would put you below 1200 it just sets you for 1200 starting allowance with a smaller deficit (and slower rate of loss). Fitbit deducts the deficit off total calorie burn and has no minimum allowance. So it is likely for someone in this situation to have a lower allowance on Fitbit even if their settings otherwise match. This can be fixed by either reducing the deficit (if set to 2 pounds a week, try 1.5 pounds or 1 pound a week) or by raising your activity level (if set to sedentary try lightly active--only if you actually have the real life activity to support the higher level though).

But if it is your first day I would give it a day or so before changing the settings if you have already been using MFP.

I want to make sure I have my fitbit Flex set for 1lb per week, but have no idea where on the dashboard I am supposed to plug in "1lb per week." Help!

Hmm. No plate. Just tiles for steps, calories burned, distance, very active minutes, sleep, friends, top badges, and an invite to try Premium.

The Calories burned gear leads me to a box that says Daily Goal calories. Not sure what that ought to say.

Aha! Thank you ladies for your help. :^D