Can I add another meal on MyFitnessPal? Your definitive guide

Over half of MyFitnessPal users track more than the traditional three meals a day, according to user behavior data. Whether you eat frequent snacks or follow a specific meal plan, the app accommodates more than the standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and this guide shows you exactly how.

Quick Summary

This article explains how to add extra meal slots to your MyFitnessPal diary, outlining the process for both the mobile app and website versions. It also covers how to save and log custom meals and recipes for faster tracking and a more personalized dietary record.

Key Points

• Adding Meal Slots: You can add up to two extra meal slots in MyFitnessPal, increasing your total to six for better tracking of frequent meals or snacks.

• Accessing Settings: For mobile users, navigate to More > Settings > Diary Settings to customize meal names and add new slots. Website users will find the option under My Home > Settings > Diary Settings.

• Saving Custom Meals: You can save frequently eaten food combinations as a single custom meal, which can be quickly logged again in the future under the "My Meals" tab.

• One-Tap Logging: Once a custom meal is saved, it can be added to your diary with a single tap, significantly speeding up the logging process.

• Flexible Tracking: The ability to add and rename meal slots is a standard feature for all users, accommodating various eating styles and schedules.

• Efficient Copying: Use the "Copy to Date" feature to duplicate a meal's entry to another day, perfect for meal prepping or repetitive eating patterns.

Customizing Your MyFitnessPal Diary with Extra Meals

Many nutrition plans, such as those for bodybuilders or individuals with specific medical needs, require more than the standard three meals and two snacks. Fortunately, MyFitnessPal offers the flexibility to customize your food diary to fit your lifestyle. By adding extra meal slots and renaming them, you can create a tracking system that aligns perfectly with your eating schedule, from early morning pre-workouts to late-night snacks. This process is quick and can be done easily on both the website and the mobile app.

How to Add More Meal Slots on the MyFitnessPal Website

For those who prefer a desktop experience or find it easier to navigate settings on a larger screen, adding meal slots via the website is straightforward. Your changes will automatically sync to your mobile app once you log in with an internet connection.

1. Log In: Navigate to www.myfitnesspal.com and sign in to your account.
2. Access Settings: Click on "My Home" in the top menu, then select "Settings" from the dropdown.
3. Find Diary Settings: Choose "Diary Settings" from the list of options on the left-hand side of the page.
4. Add and Rename: At the top of the Diary Settings page, you can see your current meal names. There are options to rename these and add up to two additional meal slots.
5. Save Your Changes: After making your adjustments, be sure to click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the page.

Adding More Meals in the MyFitnessPal Mobile App

The process on the mobile app is just as simple, allowing you to customize your diary on the go.

1. Navigate to More: Tap the "More" button, which looks like three horizontal lines or three dots and is typically in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Go to Settings: Tap on "Settings" from the menu.
3. Select Diary Settings: Choose "Diary Settings" from the next menu.
4. Customize Meal Names: Tap "Customize Meal Names" to open the menu where you can edit existing meal titles and enable additional meal slots, up to a maximum of six in total.
5. Confirm and Sync: Once you have customized your meals, the app will save your preferences automatically.

Creating and Logging Custom Meals for Quick Tracking

Beyond just adding meal slots, MyFitnessPal allows you to save custom meals that you eat frequently. This saves a significant amount of time, especially if you eat the same foods or follow a repetitive meal prep routine.

Here's how to create a custom saved meal:

1. Log Food Items: Log all the individual food items for your meal into your food diary.
2. Save as Meal: Tap the three dots at the bottom right corner of the meal entry in your diary. Choose "Save as Meal".
3. Name and Save: Give your meal a descriptive name (e.g., "Morning Protein Shake") and tap "Save".

Once saved, this custom meal can be added with a single tap in the future. Just navigate to the "My Meals" tab when logging food and select your saved entry.

Comparison of Customization Methods

Feature	Adding New Meal Slots (Diary Settings)	Saving a Custom Meal (Recipes & Foods)
Function	Adds new, empty logging categories to your daily food diary.	Bundles a group of specific food items into a single, pre-filled entry.
Maximum	Limited to a maximum of six total meal slots (including snacks).	Unlimited number of saved custom meals.
Best For	Users who follow a consistent eating schedule with more frequent meals or snacks.	Tracking prepped meals or favorite, repetitive food combinations for quick logging.
Customization	Renames the meal title (e.g., "Meal 5").	Gives a specific name to a food combination (e.g., "Post-Workout Shake").
Syncs	Syncs across all days and devices automatically.	Stored in your personal database for future use on any day.
Process	One-time setup via Settings menu.	Created from items already logged in your diary.

Frequently Asked Questions About MyFitnessPal Meals

How to Create a New Meal in MyFitnessPal

To create a saved custom meal, log the individual ingredients in your diary for that day. Then, tap the three dots or edit option next to the meal and choose "Save as Meal." Give it a name, and it will be available under the "My Meals" tab for future use.

What is the maximum number of meals I can add on MyFitnessPal?

MyFitnessPal allows you to add up to two additional meal slots, bringing the total number of customizable daily entries to six. This includes the standard breakfast, lunch, dinner, and any snacks.

How do I rename meal slots on MyFitnessPal?

On the mobile app, navigate to More > Settings > Diary Settings > Customize Meal Names. On the website, go to My Home > Settings > Diary Settings to find the options for renaming meals.

Can I copy a meal to another day on MyFitnessPal?

Yes, you can. In your food diary, tap the three dots next to a meal and select "Copy to Date" to quickly transfer that meal's entry to a different day.

How do I log multiple food items as one meal?

The most efficient way is to create a custom saved meal. Log the items once, save them as a named meal (e.g., "Oatmeal with Berries"), and then log that single entry next time.

Is the option to add more meals available to both free and premium users?

The ability to add and rename up to six meal slots is a feature available to all MyFitnessPal users, both free and premium. Premium features may offer more advanced options, but the core functionality for extra meals is standard.

Can I edit a custom meal after I've saved it?

Yes, you can edit saved custom meals. In the mobile app, go to More > My Meals, Recipes & Foods > Meals. Tap on the meal you want to edit and make your changes.

Conclusion

MyFitnessPal is a versatile tool that allows users to move beyond the traditional three-meal format to better suit their individual eating habits. By following the steps to add up to two additional meal slots, you can easily track a more frequent eating pattern. For even greater efficiency, saving frequently consumed food combinations as custom meals or recipes can streamline your daily logging process. These built-in customization options help ensure that your nutrition tracking is both accurate and convenient, empowering you to stay consistent with your health and wellness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a sixth meal slot on MyFitnessPal?

Yes, you can add up to two additional meal slots on MyFitnessPal, which, when combined with the standard four (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks), brings the total to six. This can be done through the 'Diary Settings' menu on both the app and website.

How do I rename the meal slots in my diary?

To rename your meal slots, go to 'Settings' and then 'Diary Settings.' There, you will find the 'Customize Meal Names' option where you can edit the titles of all your meal entries to better suit your needs, such as renaming 'Snacks' to 'Pre-Workout'.

What is the difference between saving a meal and a recipe?

A saved meal is a bundle of food items logged together in your diary that can be added as a single entry later. A recipe is created separately and allows for more detailed nutritional breakdown and serving size adjustments.

Is adding extra meal slots a premium feature?

No, the ability to add and rename meal slots up to a maximum of six is a standard feature available to both free and premium users of MyFitnessPal.

Can I copy a meal from one day to another?

Yes, you can copy a meal. After logging your food, tap the three dots next to the meal entry in your diary, and select 'Copy to Date.' You can then choose which day to copy the entry to.

How do I edit a saved custom meal?

To edit a saved meal on the mobile app, go to More > My Meals, Recipes & Foods > Meals, then select the meal you wish to change. From there, you can adjust ingredients and save the updated version.

Do my custom meal slots sync across devices?

Yes, any changes you make to your meal slots or names will automatically sync across all your devices (website and mobile app) the next time you log in with an internet connection.