Tracking Carbs on MyFitnessPal: The Basics
MyFitnessPal offers comprehensive macronutrient tracking capabilities, including carbohydrates. Whether you are using the free or premium version of the app, you can log your food and view your daily carb consumption. The app's extensive food database contains nutritional information for millions of foods, automatically calculating your intake as you log your meals.
How to Set and Customize Your Carb Goals
By default, MyFitnessPal assigns a standard macronutrient ratio when you first set up your profile. However, you can easily adjust these settings to align with your personal dietary plan, whether it's low-carb, keto, or another approach.
To set your carb goals (Free & Premium):
- Navigate to the Goals section: From the home screen, tap the 'More' tab (or the three dots menu in some versions), then select 'Goals'.
- Access Macronutrient Goals: Under 'Nutrition Goals', tap on 'Calories, Carbs, Protein, and Fat Goals'.
- Adjust the Percentages: Use the wheel interface to adjust the percentage for carbohydrates. You must ensure that the total of all three macros (carbs, protein, and fat) equals 100%. The free version only allows adjustments in 5% increments.
- Save Your Changes: Once your macro percentages are set, tap the checkmark to save your new goals.
For greater precision (Premium Only):
Premium users can set their macro goals in exact gram increments instead of percentages, offering much finer control over their dietary intake. This is particularly useful for those following a strict low-carb or ketogenic diet. Premium members can also set custom daily goals, allowing for different macro targets on workout days versus rest days.
How to Track Net Carbs on MyFitnessPal
For those on a ketogenic or very low-carb diet, tracking net carbs is essential. Net carbs are the total carbohydrates minus fiber and, in the US and Canada, sugar alcohols. MyFitnessPal offers a feature specifically for this, but it is exclusive to Premium subscribers.
Activating Net Carbs Mode (Premium Only, US & Canada):
- Go to Diary Settings: Open the 'More' menu, navigate to 'Settings', and then 'Diary Settings'.
- Toggle the Feature: Look for the 'Track Net Carbs' option and toggle it on.
- Automatic Calculation: Once enabled, the app will automatically display your net carbs instead of total carbs in your diary and on your nutrition summary.
This feature significantly simplifies the process of tracking for low-carb lifestyles. If you are not a Premium user or are in an unsupported region, you can still manually calculate net carbs by subtracting the fiber from the total carbs shown in your diary.
Viewing Your Carb Intake
After logging your food, MyFitnessPal provides a clear overview of your carb consumption, helping you monitor your progress toward your goals. You can access this data in several ways:
- Daily Overview: At the top of your food diary, you'll see a summary showing your remaining calories. Tapping this or scrolling to the bottom reveals a detailed daily nutrition summary.
- Macros View: From the diary summary, tap 'Nutrition', then 'Macros' to see a visual pie chart breakdown of your carbs, protein, and fat for the day. This view helps you visualize your macronutrient distribution.
- Nutrients View: Alternatively, tapping 'Nutrients' gives you a list view of various nutrients, including total carbs, fiber, and sugar, and shows how your intake compares to your set goals.
- Weekly View: Switch from the 'Day View' to the 'Week View' to see your average consumption over the past seven days, identifying trends in your carb intake.
Comparison: Standard vs. Premium Carb Tracking
| Feature | Free MyFitnessPal | Premium MyFitnessPal |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking Total Carbs | Yes | Yes |
| Tracking Net Carbs | Manual calculation required | Automatic calculation via 'Net Carbs Mode' |
| Setting Carb Goals | Percentage-based, in 5% increments | Gram-based, precise control |
| Goal Flexibility | Single daily goal | Set custom daily goals for different days |
| Barcode Scanning | Limited functionality | Unlimited for easier logging |
Conclusion
To answer the question, "Can you track carbs on MyFitnessPal?" — unequivocally, yes. The app provides robust functionality for monitoring carbohydrate intake, whether you're a standard user keeping a general eye on your macros or a Premium subscriber tracking net carbs for a ketogenic diet. By leveraging the app's food diary, customizable goals, and detailed nutrition screens, users can effectively manage their carb consumption to meet their specific health and fitness objectives. MyFitnessPal simplifies the process of nutritional awareness, empowering you to make informed dietary choices and stay on track with your wellness journey. You can learn more about MyFitnessPal's tracking features on their official blog.
