How do I put serving size into MyFitnessPal for accurate tracking?

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

According to research, users who consistently log their food are more successful at reaching their health goals. But many people get stuck on a simple step: figuring out how do I put serving size into MyFitnessPal accurately. This guide simplifies the process so you can get the most out of your tracking.

Quick Summary

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on adjusting serving sizes within MyFitnessPal to improve logging accuracy. It covers modifying existing food entries, using fractions and decimals, creating custom food items, and mastering recipes for seamless, consistent tracking. The article also highlights the benefits of using a food scale for the most precise measurements.

Key Points

Adjust Serving Numbers and Units: For quick fixes, tap on the number or unit of a logged food to change it, using decimals for partial portions.
Embrace the Food Scale: For the highest accuracy, measure food in grams and log the exact weight by finding a 1-gram serving size option.
Create Recipes for Homemade Meals: The recipe tool allows you to add all ingredients and then log individual portions by weight, ensuring exact nutritional data.
Save Your Go-To Meals: For foods you eat often, use the 'Save as Meal' feature to make logging a one-tap process while still allowing for adjustments.
Use Verified and Manual Entries: Prioritize entries with green checkmarks or manually create custom food items to ensure nutritional information is correct.
Log Consistently: For optimal results, aim for consistency over perfection, even if it means estimating for restaurant meals when a scale isn't available.

Mastering Basic Serving Size Adjustments

When logging a food item in MyFitnessPal, you will be presented with the number of servings and the serving size unit. The key to accurate tracking is to edit these fields to reflect what you actually ate, not just the default entry.

Editing an existing food log

Search for and select your food: Use the search bar or barcode scanner to find the item you ate.
Tap to edit: On the logging screen, tap on the default number of servings or the serving size to edit it.
Use the unit multiplier: You can either change the serving size unit (e.g., from '1 cup' to '1 oz') or change the number of servings (e.g., from '1' to '0.75' for three-quarters of a serving).
Confirm and log: After adjusting, tap the checkmark to save the entry to your diary.

Using decimals for partial servings

For non-whole servings, simply use decimals. If a serving size is listed as '1 cup' and you ate half, you would enter 0.5 in the number of servings field. If you ate a quarter, you'd use 0.25. This is a straightforward method for quick logging.

The Gold Standard: Using a Food Scale

For the highest level of accuracy, especially with calorie-dense or home-cooked foods, a digital food scale is your best friend. Here's how to put serving size into MyFitnessPal using grams, the most precise unit.

Find a suitable entry: When searching for food, prioritize entries that list the serving size in grams (e.g., '1 g'). Often, these entries have a green checkmark indicating they are from a trusted source like the USDA.
Weigh your food: Place your bowl or plate on the scale and 'tare' it (zero out the weight). Add your food until you have the desired amount in grams.
Log the weight: In MyFitnessPal, select the food entry with the 1-gram serving size. Enter the weight from your scale into the 'Number of Servings' field. The app will automatically calculate the total nutrition for that exact amount.

Creating Custom Foods and Recipes

What if the food isn't in the database or you're cooking a multi-ingredient meal? MyFitnessPal's custom food and recipe features are the answer.

Custom Food Entry

This is ideal for a single item with a known nutrition label, like a specific brand of cereal not yet in the database. When creating it, set the serving size to a single gram (e.g., '1 g'). This allows you to easily log any amount in grams later.

Recipe Tool for Batch Cooking

For home-cooked meals, use the recipe tool for ultimate flexibility.

Create a recipe: In the 'Recipes, Meals & Foods' section, select 'Create a Recipe.'
Add all ingredients: Manually add every ingredient and its total weight in grams.
Determine serving size by weight: Once the recipe is finished cooking, weigh the entire batch in grams. Set the total weight as the 'Number of Servings'.
Log portions: When you eat a portion, weigh it in grams and log that weight as the number of servings. The app will calculate the accurate macros for that specific amount.

Comparison Table: Logging Methods


Method	Best For	Pros	Cons	Accuracy Level
Editing Existing Entry	Packaged goods with simple portioning	Quick, easy for standard items	Can be inaccurate if portion size varies	Moderate
Using Decimals	Small adjustments to pre-defined serving sizes	Fast and simple for fractions	Still relies on package's standard size	Moderate to High
Weighing in Grams	Everything (cooked food, loose produce)	Extremely accurate, removes guesswork	Requires a food scale, slightly more effort	Highest
Custom Recipes (by weight)	Bulk meals, homemade food	Precise for variable portions	Takes time for initial setup	Highest

Advanced Tips for Consistent Tracking

Prioritize Verified Entries: When searching, look for foods with a green checkmark or 'Best Match' to ensure the most accurate nutritional data.
Be Consistent with Food States: Always log the food state (raw vs. cooked) you're measuring. The nutritional values differ, so being consistent prevents error.
Save Common Meals: For meals you eat regularly, save them for one-tap logging. If you make a variation, you can easily adjust the portion sizes of individual components within the saved meal.
Use the Copy Feature: If you eat the same food on a different day, use the 'Copy to Date' function to save time and ensure consistency without re-entering the data.
Understand Estimation Limitations: For restaurant meals, where exact measurements aren't possible, do your best to estimate. Break down the meal into its components and choose entries that seem reasonable. Accuracy is a spectrum, and an estimate is better than nothing.

Conclusion

Logging your serving sizes accurately in MyFitnessPal is a skill that improves over time. By moving beyond the default options and embracing precision with a food scale and the app's recipe features, you can dramatically improve the quality of your data. This enhanced accuracy leads to more informed dietary choices and better, more consistent progress toward your health and fitness objectives. Consistency is more important than perfection, but the tools exist to get as close to perfect as you desire.

Frequently Asked Questions

To log a custom food, go to 'More' > 'Meals, Recipes & Foods' > 'Foods' > 'Create a New Food'. Input the nutritional information from the label. It's best to set the serving size to 1 gram (or another single unit) so you can easily log any amount later.

Use MyFitnessPal's recipe tool. Add all ingredients and their total weights. After cooking, weigh the final dish and set the total weight as the number of servings. When you eat a portion, weigh it and log that weight as the number of servings.

Yes. When logging a food, simply change the 'Number of Servings' to a decimal. For example, enter 0.75 for three-quarters of a serving or 0.5 for half a serving.

A food scale and grams provide the most accurate measurement, eliminating the inconsistencies of volume-based measurements like cups or spoons. This is crucial for calorie-dense foods where small differences can add up quickly.

When logging a food item, tap the serving size unit (e.g., 'cup'). This will bring up a list of alternative units. If the database entry offers it, you can select grams, ounces, or another unit of measurement.

After searching for your food, tap on the 'Number of Servings' field. Change the default value to 0.5 to log exactly half a serving. MyFitnessPal will automatically calculate the nutrition for that amount.

While it's hard to be 100% accurate, you can get close. Try searching for similar entries from chain restaurants or break down the meal into its core components (e.g., chicken breast, white rice, sauce) and estimate the portions for each. Overestimate slightly to be safe.