How Can My Friends See My Meals on MyFitnessPal? A Simple Guide

By default, your food diary on MyFitnessPal is set to private, meaning your meals are visible only to you. If you've been wondering, 'how can my friends see my meals on MyFitnessPal?', the solution is to adjust your diary's privacy settings to allow your friends to view your logged food and exercise. This simple change enables a social support system that can help you stay on track with your fitness goals.

Quick Summary

Friends can view your food diary on MyFitnessPal by adjusting your privacy settings from the default 'Private' to 'Friends Only' using the app or website. Your friends must also be connected with you on the platform. This setting allows them to view your daily meal entries and provides extra motivation for accountability.

Key Points

• Adjust Privacy Settings: You must change your diary sharing settings from the default 'Private' to 'Friends Only' or 'Public'.

• Friends List Required: Your friends must also be connected with you on MyFitnessPal to view your diary once permissions are set.

• Easily Viewable: Once sharing is enabled, friends can view your food diary by visiting your profile page in the app or on the website.

• Copy Meals: A convenient feature allows friends to copy meals you have logged, which is ideal for sharing recipes or for partners logging the same meal.

• Weight is Always Private: It is important to note that your actual weight is never visible to others, regardless of your diary sharing settings.

• Mobile & Web Support: Diary settings can be changed from both the MyFitnessPal mobile app (More > Settings > Diary Sharing) and the website (My Home > Settings > Diary Settings).

Adjusting Your Diary Sharing Settings

When you first create a MyFitnessPal account, your diary is automatically set to private to protect your personal information. This means that even your friends cannot see your meal logs unless you explicitly change the settings. The process to adjust your diary sharing is straightforward and can be completed from either the mobile app or the website. You have three options for diary visibility: 'Private' (only you can see it), 'Friends Only' (only your connected friends can see it), or 'Public' (anyone on MyFitnessPal can view it). For most users, the 'Friends Only' option strikes the perfect balance between privacy and social support.

For Mobile App Users (iOS & Android)

The steps for updating your privacy settings on the MyFitnessPal mobile app are consistent across iOS and Android devices, though the exact menu names can vary slightly depending on your phone's operating system.

1. Open the MyFitnessPal app on your smartphone.
2. Tap the 'More' menu icon, usually located in the bottom-right corner.
3. Navigate to 'Settings'.
4. Find and tap on 'Diary Sharing' within the settings menu.
5. From the options, select 'Friends Only'.
6. Tap the checkmark or 'Save' button to confirm your changes.

For Website Users

If you prefer to use a computer or are having trouble with the app, you can also change your privacy settings by logging into the MyFitnessPal website.

1. Go to the MyFitnessPal website and log in to your account.
2. Click on 'My Home' in the top navigation menu.
3. Hover over 'Settings' and then click on 'Diary Settings'.
4. Next to 'Diary Sharing', choose 'Friends Only' from the drop-down menu.
5. Click 'Save Changes' to update your preference.

Viewing and Copying a Friend's Meals

Once your diary is set to 'Friends Only' and you are connected with a friend on MyFitnessPal, they can easily view your logged meals. In fact, one of the most useful social features is the ability to copy meals from a friend's diary. This is particularly helpful when you eat the same meal together and want to log it quickly.

Viewing a Friend's Diary (Mobile App)

1. Go to the 'More' menu and tap 'Friends'.
2. Find the friend whose diary you want to view in your friends list and tap their name.
3. On the friend's profile page, tap the small diary icon to open their log for the day.

Copying a Meal from a Friend (Mobile App)

1. View your friend's diary for the day the meal was logged.
2. Under the specific meal (e.g., Lunch), tap the three dots or 'Quick Tools' icon.
3. Select 'Copy to Date' and choose the meal and date you want to copy it to.

Comparison of Diary Sharing Settings

Setting	Visibility	Use Case	Key Benefits
Private	Only visible to you.	For personal tracking and maximum privacy.	Complete control over your data; no social pressure.
Friends Only	Visible to your approved friends.	Sharing with a select group for mutual support.	Encourages accountability; easy meal sharing with partners or friends.
Public	Visible to all MyFitnessPal users.	Engaging with the broader community for motivation.	Connects you with a wider support network; discover new ideas from others.
Locked with a Key	Visible to anyone with the password you set.	Sharing with a coach or a specific group.	Offers secure sharing beyond the friends list.

Conclusion: The Power of Social Accountability

Being able to share your meals with friends on MyFitnessPal is more than just a novelty; it's a powerful tool for building a support system that can boost your accountability and motivation. By following the simple steps to change your diary sharing settings, you can open up a new avenue for support and encouragement on your health and wellness journey. Whether you're sharing recipes, celebrating successes, or simply staying transparent with your diet, connecting your food log with friends can make the process more engaging and enjoyable.

For more detailed help and information, you can always visit the official MyFitnessPal Help Center for the latest app updates and instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't my friends see my meals on MyFitnessPal?

By default, your food diary is set to private. You need to manually change this setting to 'Friends Only' or 'Public' in your app or website settings for friends to view your meals.

How do I change my diary settings to 'Friends Only' in the app?

Go to the 'More' menu, then 'Settings', then 'Diary Sharing'. From there, select 'Friends Only' and save your changes.

Can my friends see my weight or other personal data?

No, your weight and other confidential information are never visible to friends or other users, regardless of your diary sharing settings. This data is for your eyes only.

How do I view a friend's food diary?

First, ensure they have set their diary to be visible to friends. Then, go to the 'Friends' list in the app, tap their name, and click the diary (book) icon to view their log.

Can I copy a meal from a friend's diary?

Yes, if your friend's diary is set to 'Friends Only', you can view their diary, select the meal, and use the 'Quick Tools' or three-dot menu to copy it to your own log.

What if the 'View Diary' option is missing from the app?

This has been a reported issue for some users, but the functionality remains available on the MyFitnessPal website. If it's missing from your app, you can log in on the website to view or copy a friend's diary.

Is it possible to share my diary with someone who isn't my friend on MyFitnessPal?

Yes, you can either set your diary to 'Public' or use the 'Locked with a key' option, which allows you to share a password with a specific individual for access.