Why You Might Need to Add More Meals
Many users find the standard three-meal-a-day layout restrictive. This is particularly true for athletes who fuel before and after workouts, people who practice intermittent fasting and use a shorter eating window, or those who simply prefer to snack throughout the day. By adding custom meal slots, you gain greater control and accuracy in tracking your nutrition, which is crucial for achieving specific health goals. For instance, someone on a macro-specific diet might want a separate slot for their post-workout protein shake to ensure they meet their daily targets.
Step-by-Step Guide for Adding Meals on the MyFitnessPal Website
Using the MyFitnessPal website is the easiest way to add new meal slots, as it gives you a clear, centralized view of your diary settings. Once you make these changes on the website, they will automatically sync to your mobile app.
- Log In to Your Account: Start by navigating to the MyFitnessPal website and logging in with your credentials.
- Access Diary Settings: Click on the "My Home" tab at the top of the page, and then select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. From there, click on "Diary Settings".
- Customize Meal Names: At the top of the Diary Settings page, you will see your current meal names (Breakfast, Lunch, etc.). You have the option to rename these as you wish. Below the existing meal names, you will find options to add two additional meal slots.
- Add Your Meals: Click the checkbox next to the empty meal slots to add them. You can then give them custom names that fit your dietary needs, such as "Snack 1," "Post-Workout," or "Supper".
- Save Your Changes: Be sure to click the "Save Changes" button to confirm your new diary layout. The next time you open the mobile app, your updated meal slots will appear.
Step-by-Step Guide for Adding Meals on the Mobile App
While adding meals is done most effectively through the website, you can also access these settings from the mobile app, though the process differs slightly between iOS and Android.
- Access More Menu: Open the MyFitnessPal app and tap the "More" button in the bottom right corner (the icon with three dots).
- Navigate to Settings: From the "More" menu, tap on "Settings".
- Find Diary Settings: In the Settings menu, find and tap "Diary Settings".
- Customize Meal Names: Tap on "Customize Meal Names" to edit or add meals. This will allow you to add up to two more meal slots and rename all of them to suit your needs.
- Save Your Updates: After you've made your changes, save them. The app will sync and your new diary will be ready for logging.
Creating a Reusable Meal vs. Adding a New Slot
Understanding the difference between creating a saved meal and adding a new meal slot is key to efficient logging. A new meal slot is a permanent category in your daily diary, while a saved meal is a pre-packaged collection of foods that can be logged in any meal slot.
| Feature | New Meal Slot | Saved Meal (e.g., 'My Meals') |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Adds a new, permanent category to your diary for better organization. | Bundles frequently eaten foods together for quick, one-tap logging. |
| Appearance | Appears as a new, empty meal category in your daily diary. | Found under the 'My Meals' tab when you go to log food. |
| Best For | Users who follow a consistent 4-6 meals-per-day schedule or want specific slots for snacks. | Users who eat the same few foods frequently but at different times. |
| Process | Done via Diary Settings on the website or mobile app. | Created from logged food items within the diary itself. |
Conclusion
Adding extra meal slots in MyFitnessPal offers a personalized approach to tracking your diet. By adjusting the diary settings on the website or the mobile app, users can create up to two additional custom meal slots. This flexibility, alongside the ability to set up reusable "My Meals", helps users accurately track nutrition and reach their health goals.
