Why create custom meals in MyFitnessPal?
Creating custom meals is a powerful tool for anyone tracking their food intake. It streamlines the logging process, especially for meals you eat regularly, and ensures greater accuracy. Instead of searching for and adding each ingredient separately every time you eat, you can add an entire meal with a single tap. This is particularly useful for meal preppers, those with consistent breakfast or lunch routines, or anyone who wants a more precise nutrient breakdown than what a generic database entry might provide. Custom meals are distinct from custom recipes and single custom foods, offering a flexible way to group ingredients.
Step-by-step guide to creating custom meals on the mobile app
MyFitnessPal offers two main ways to create a custom meal on the iOS and Android apps. You can either save a logged meal from your diary or build one from scratch.
Method 1: Save from your diary
This is the fastest method if you have just logged a meal that you want to save for later.
- Open your diary: Log all the ingredients for the meal you want to save. For example, add "oats," "milk," and "cinnamon" to your breakfast entry.
- Select ingredients: Tap the "Edit" button at the top of your diary. Select the foods you wish to include in the custom meal.
- Save as meal: Tap the "..." icon and choose "Save as Meal".
- Name and save: Give your meal a descriptive name, like "Weekday Oatmeal." You can also add an optional photo. Tap "Save" to store it in your "My Meals" list.
Method 2: Build from scratch
This method is best if you're creating a new meal combination from memory or for future meal prep.
- Navigate to the meal section: Tap the "More" menu at the bottom right of your screen.
- Access meals and recipes: Tap on "My Meals, Recipes & Foods".
- Create a new meal: Select the "Meals" tab at the top and tap the "Create a Meal" button.
- Add details: Enter a name for your meal. You can also add an optional photo.
- Add ingredients: Tap "Add items to this meal" and search for each food item you want to include.
- Adjust servings: For each ingredient, specify the exact quantity and serving size. This is a crucial step for accurate tracking.
- Save: Once all ingredients are added, tap the checkmark to save the new custom meal.
Creating custom meals on the MyFitnessPal website
If you prefer using a desktop, you can also create custom meals via the MyFitnessPal website. The process is slightly different from the mobile app but just as effective.
- Log in and go to food: On the top navigation bar, click "Food".
- Access custom entries: On the sub-tab, click "Recipes". This section also includes your saved meals.
- Click quick tools: Under any of your meals in the diary, click "Quick Tools" and then "Remember Meal".
- Name and save: Give the meal a name and save it. It will now be available for logging with a single click.
Custom meals vs. recipes vs. custom foods
Understanding the difference between MyFitnessPal's three custom entry options is key to using the app efficiently.
Comparison table
| Feature | Custom Meal | Custom Recipe | Custom Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A group of individual foods logged together for convenience. | A multi-ingredient dish with a calculated nutritional profile per serving. | A single food item not found in the public database. |
| Best for | Fast logging of frequent, simple food combinations like breakfast or a repeatable lunch. | Dishes you cook in bulk, like soup, chili, or complex casseroles. | Tracking specific, custom-made items, such as a homemade protein bar or a local restaurant dish. |
| Editing flexibility | Highly flexible. You can easily remove or adjust individual ingredients after logging. | Less flexible. You log a single portion of the recipe, and the nutritional data is fixed per serving. | Not applicable. This is for a single item. |
Tips for efficient custom meal creation
- Start simple: If you are just starting, save simple, repeatable meals like your breakfast or a consistent pre-workout snack. This will help you get used to the process before moving on to more complex dishes.
- Use the diary method: If you're not sure which ingredients to include, log the meal as you eat it. Once you're finished, save it as a custom meal from your diary.
- Name wisely: Use clear, descriptive names for your meals (e.g., "Post-Workout Protein Shake" or "Weekday Office Lunch") to find them quickly later.
- Double-check ingredients: When building a meal or recipe, always verify the ingredient information to ensure accuracy. The public database is extensive but can sometimes contain errors.
- Use recipes for bulk cooking: If you are meal-prepping a large batch of a dish, using the recipe feature is more efficient. You can specify the number of servings and the app will do the math for you.
Conclusion
Yes, you absolutely can create custom meals in MyFitnessPal, and it's one of the app's most powerful features for consistent and accurate food tracking. By taking a few minutes to set up your favorite meal combinations, you can save significant time on daily logging. The ability to save meals, recipes, and single custom foods provides a comprehensive set of tools for any nutritional plan. Whether you're a creature of habit or a seasoned meal prepper, customizing your meal entries will make your health journey more efficient and personalized.
