How do I find someone else's recipe on MyFitnessPal?

Over 200 million people use MyFitnessPal, but finding another user's recipe is not as straightforward as it seems. While there is no direct search function for public recipes, you can find someone else's recipe on MyFitnessPal through a simple workaround involving a shared food diary.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the step-by-step process for copying a recipe from a friend's diary in MyFitnessPal. It details how to adjust diary sharing settings and use the 'Copy a Meal' feature, addressing a common user challenge with sharing custom recipes on the platform.

Key Points

• Diary Sharing is Key: The only way to get a user's custom recipe is by having them share their food diary with you, set to 'Friends Only'.

• Copying a Meal: You must copy the recipe as a complete meal from your friend's diary before you can save it to your own recipes.

• No Public User Search: MyFitnessPal's Recipe Discovery only shows official, curated recipes, not public recipes from other users.

• Communication is Necessary: The recipe creator needs to log the recipe and tell you which day and meal to find it, as there is no universal search for user content.

• App and Web Differences: The steps for copying a meal vary slightly between the mobile app and the website, but the core process remains the same.

• Save and Edit: After copying the meal to your diary, you can save it as your own recipe and make adjustments as needed.

Understanding Recipe Sharing Limitations on MyFitnessPal

Unlike the curated Recipe Discovery feature offered by MyFitnessPal, the platform does not currently support a public search for recipes created by other users. This means you can't simply type in a friend's name or a recipe title to find their custom creations. However, a clever workaround allows you to access and save a friend's recipe by using the 'Copy a Meal' feature, provided they have adjusted their privacy settings to share their food diary with you. This process is useful for sharing with friends or family who are also tracking their meals on the app.

Step-by-Step Guide for Sharing and Copying a Recipe

Successfully sharing a recipe requires cooperation from both the recipe creator and the recipient. The creator must first log the recipe as a meal and then allow friends to view their diary. The recipient can then copy this meal entry to their own diary and save it as a new recipe.

For the Recipe Creator (MyFitnessPal App)

1. Adjust Diary Sharing Settings: Go to the 'More' menu (•••). Tap on 'Settings,' then 'Privacy Center,' and finally 'Sharing & Privacy'. Change 'Diary Sharing' to 'Friends Only'.
2. Save Recipe as a Meal: Log the recipe in your food diary for a specific day and meal, such as 'Lunch.'
3. Notify Your Friend: Tell your friend which day and meal to look for the recipe.

For the Recipe Recipient (MyFitnessPal App)

1. Access Friend's Diary: Go to the 'More' menu (•••), then 'Friends'. Tap on your friend's name, then the 'Diary' icon (a book).
2. Copy the Meal: Find the recipe your friend logged on the designated day and meal time. Tap the three dots (•••) next to the meal and select 'Copy to Date'.
3. Save as Your Own Recipe: Once the meal is in your diary, you can save it as your own recipe. Go to your diary and find the copied meal entry. Tap the three dots (•••) next to the meal and select 'Save as Meal' or 'Save as Recipe'. You can then edit the name and make any adjustments.

How to find someone else's recipe on MyFitnessPal via the Website

The process for the website is very similar but uses a slightly different navigation path.

For the Recipe Creator (Website)

1. Adjust Diary Settings: Click 'My Home' > 'Settings' > 'Diary Settings'. Ensure 'Diary Sharing' is set to 'Friends Only'.
2. Log the Recipe: Log the custom recipe in your food diary for your friend to copy.

For the Recipe Recipient (Website)

1. View Friend's Diary: Navigate to 'My Home' > 'Friends'. Click your friend's username, then 'View Diary'.
2. Copy the Meal: Find the meal with the recipe. Click the 'Quick Tools' link below it, then select 'Copy to Today' or 'Copy to Date'.
3. Save as New Recipe: Once copied to your diary, you can save it as a new recipe from your food log.

MyFitnessPal Recipe Sharing: Community vs. Private Sharing

Feature	Community Recipe Discovery	Private 'Copy a Meal' Workaround
Source	Curated collection from MyFitnessPal.	Shared from a friend's private food diary.
Accessibility	Available to all users, with some features for Premium members.	Only possible with a friend who has enabled diary sharing.
Search Function	Search by category, dietary preference (e.g., high protein, gluten-free), and meal type.	No direct search; requires knowing the specific day and meal logged by the friend.
Best For	Finding new, healthy recipes from MyFitnessPal's official library.	Sharing trusted, custom recipes with people you know.

Common Issues and Best Practices

Why can't I see my friend's diary?

If you can't view your friend's diary, they likely have their 'Diary Sharing' settings set to 'Private.' They will need to adjust this setting to 'Friends Only' to allow you access.

What if my friend logged the recipe a long time ago?

You will need to navigate back through their diary history to find the specific meal. A better practice is for your friend to re-log the meal on the current day, or create it as a recipe under 'My Meals, Recipes & Foods,' and then log it to their diary to make it easy for you to find.

Best Practices for Sharing

• Clear Communication: Always communicate with your friend about which day and meal contains the recipe you want to copy. This prevents confusion and saves time.
• Relogging for Freshness: If the recipe was logged far in the past, ask your friend to relog it for the current day. This makes it easier for you to find in their recent activity.
• Use the Website for Older Entries: If the recipe is from a long time ago and your friend can't relog it, using the website might be easier for navigating to past dates and copying meals.

Conclusion

While MyFitnessPal does not offer a public user-generated recipe search function, finding and copying a recipe from a friend is a straightforward process using the platform's social features. By adjusting diary sharing settings and utilizing the 'Copy a Meal' function, users can effectively share custom recipes within their trusted network. This method empowers users to exchange favorite meals and stay motivated on their wellness journey together, even without a dedicated recipe-sharing feature. For official, curated recipes, the dedicated Recipe Discovery section remains the best resource.

For more in-depth information on MyFitnessPal's features and community, you can visit the official MyFitnessPal Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search for another user's recipe directly on MyFitnessPal?

No, MyFitnessPal does not have a search function for finding recipes created by other individual users. You can only browse recipes in the curated 'Recipe Discovery' section or copy a meal from a friend's shared diary.

How can my friend share a recipe with me on MyFitnessPal?

Your friend must first log the recipe as a meal in their food diary. Then, they need to ensure their diary sharing settings are set to 'Friends Only' or 'Public'. You can then view their diary and copy the meal.

What if my friend's diary is private?

If your friend's diary is set to 'Private,' you will not be able to view their meals or copy their recipe. They must change their 'Diary Sharing' setting to 'Friends Only' for you to gain access.

How do I copy a recipe from a friend's diary?

On the app, navigate to your friend's profile via the 'Friends' menu and tap the 'Diary' icon. Find the meal containing the recipe, tap the three dots, and select 'Copy to Date'. On the website, visit their profile, click 'View Diary,' find the meal, and use 'Quick Tools' to copy.

Once I copy a meal, how do I save it as a permanent recipe?

After copying the meal to your own diary, find the entry and tap the three dots next to it. Select 'Save as Recipe' or 'Save as Meal' to add it to your own custom recipes list.

Can I share a recipe with someone who isn't a friend on MyFitnessPal?

You can only use the 'Copy a Meal' workaround with users you are friends with on the platform. Otherwise, you would need to manually provide the recipe ingredients and nutritional information to them.

Is there an easier way to find recipes on MyFitnessPal?

Yes, for official recipes, you can use the 'Recipe Discovery' feature found in the 'More' menu. This section provides access to a large library of curated recipes categorized by meals, goals, and dietary preferences.