How do you log meals on MyFitnessPal?

December 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to data from MyFitnessPal, users who log their food at least four times during their first week are seven times more likely to reach their health goals. This guide will explain precisely how do you log meals on MyFitnessPal, covering all the different methods from simple searches to advanced features for seamless tracking.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial on logging meals in MyFitnessPal. It details multiple methods, including using the search database, barcode scanner, and creating custom meals or recipes for efficient tracking. The article also includes tips for accuracy and consistency, comparing different logging techniques.

Key Points

Basic Search: Use the search bar for individual food items, including specific brand names, and look for entries with a green checkmark for the highest accuracy.
Barcode Scanner: For packaged foods, use the barcode scanner for the fastest and most accurate logging experience.
Save Custom Meals: Save frequently eaten combinations of food as a custom meal for one-tap logging, significantly reducing daily tracking time.
Create Recipes: For complex, homemade dishes, enter the ingredients once to create a reusable recipe that calculates nutritional information per serving.
Adjust Serving Sizes: Always verify and adjust the serving size and number of servings to ensure the nutritional information is as accurate as possible.
Use Quick Add: When in a rush, use the Quick Add feature to manually enter calorie estimates for foods not easily searchable.
Track Consistently: Focus on consistent logging rather than perfect logging, starting with one meal and building the habit over time for sustainable results.

Getting Started: The Basic Food Log

For most users, the journey to tracking meals in MyFitnessPal begins with a simple search within the app's extensive database. This method is straightforward and works for a vast majority of foods, from whole ingredients to restaurant menu items.

Step-by-Step Guide for Basic Logging

Navigate to the Diary: Open the MyFitnessPal app and tap the 'Diary' icon or the blue '+' button at the bottom of the screen, then select 'Food'.
Choose a Meal: Select the specific meal you want to log, such as Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner.
Search for Food: In the search bar, type the name of the food. For more accurate results, include brand names or preparation details (e.g., 'cooked chicken breast' instead of just 'chicken').
Select from Results: A list of results will appear. Look for entries with a green checkmark, which indicates a 'Verified' food item from MyFitnessPal's nutrition science team, offering higher accuracy.
Adjust Serving Size: After selecting the food, a screen will appear where you can change the number of servings and the serving size unit. Be precise here for accurate calorie and macro counts.
Add to Diary: Tap the checkmark to save the food to your diary. Repeat the process for all items in your meal.

Advanced and Time-Saving Logging Methods

Beyond the basic search, MyFitnessPal offers several features to make meal logging faster and more efficient. Utilizing these can dramatically reduce the time spent tracking each day.

Using the Barcode Scanner

For packaged foods, the barcode scanner is one of the fastest logging options.

Access the Scanner: Tap the blue '+' button, select 'Food', and then choose a meal. You will see a barcode icon, typically in the top right corner of the search screen.
Scan the Product: Align your phone's camera with the product's barcode until it scans.
Confirm and Adjust: The app will pull up the food item. Verify the entry, adjust the serving size if needed, and log it to your diary.

Saving and Logging Custom Meals

If you frequently eat the same combination of foods, saving it as a custom meal is a major time-saver.

Create a Custom Meal: After logging all the foods for a meal in your diary, tap the three dots at the bottom of that meal entry and select 'Save as Meal'. Name the meal (e.g., "Daily Oatmeal") and save it.
Log a Saved Meal: The next time you want to log that meal, go to 'Add Food' for the corresponding meal slot. Scroll to the 'Meals' tab and select your custom-named meal. You can still edit or remove individual items if necessary.

Logging Recipes

For home-cooked dishes with multiple ingredients, you can create and log recipes for a more accurate nutrient breakdown.

Create a New Recipe: Go to More > My Meals, Recipes & Foods > Create a Recipe.
Enter Ingredients: Add all the ingredients for your recipe and specify the number of servings. MyFitnessPal will calculate the nutrition per serving.
Log the Recipe: When logging, select the 'Recipes' tab and add the appropriate number of servings to your diary.

MyFitnessPal Logging Methods Comparison


Logging Method	Best For	Time & Effort	Accuracy	Premium Required
Basic Search	Unpackaged, whole foods, and restaurant meals.	Moderate: Requires typing and selecting from a list.	Good, especially with 'Verified' entries.	No
Barcode Scanner	Pre-packaged foods with a UPC code.	Fast: Quick scan and confirm.	Excellent, directly from the manufacturer's data.	Yes (Free trial available)
Saved Meals	Repetitive meals (e.g., breakfast or daily lunch).	Very Fast: One-tap logging.	Excellent, based on your manually entered ingredients.	No
Recipes	Complex, homemade dishes with multiple ingredients.	Moderate to High initially, very fast later.	Excellent, once the recipe is set up correctly.	No
Meal Scan	Visually logging entire plated meals.	Fastest: Uses phone camera and AI.	Moderate, may require minor adjustments.	Yes

Quick Add and Copying Meals

Quick Add Calories: If you don't have time to search for a specific food, the Quick Add feature allows you to manually enter the calorie count. Premium users can also add macronutrients.
Copying Meals: For recurring meals, you can copy an entry from a previous day. In your diary, tap the three dots next to the meal you wish to copy and select 'Copy' to add it to another day or meal slot.

Conclusion: Building Consistent Logging Habits

Mastering how do you log meals on MyFitnessPal is a matter of learning the different tools available and finding what works best for your routine. By using a combination of methods—like the barcode scanner for groceries, saved meals for your staples, and the basic search for new foods—you can make tracking your nutrition a quick and integrated part of your day. The key to success is consistency over perfection. Starting with a single meal and building the habit gradually will provide the most sustainable path to achieving your health goals. Consistent tracking provides powerful insights, empowering you to make mindful and informed food choices.

Remember that MyFitnessPal is a tool for self-awareness, not judgment. Your daily food diary helps you understand your eating patterns and make strategic adjustments toward a healthier lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Open the app, tap the blue '+' button at the bottom, select 'Food', and then choose the meal. You can then search for food, use the barcode scanner, or select from your recent or saved items.

Yes. When you search for a food item, you can often find entries for menu items from popular restaurants. For the best results, use the restaurant name and item in your search (e.g., 'Chipotle chicken bowl').

The green checkmark indicates a 'Verified' food item. These entries have been cross-checked by MyFitnessPal and are considered the most accurate options in the database.

Navigate to More > My Meals, Recipes & Foods > Create a Recipe. Enter all the ingredients and specify the total number of servings. The app will calculate the nutritional breakdown per serving, allowing you to log it easily in the future.

To edit or delete an item, go to your diary, find the food entry, and swipe left on it. Alternatively, you can tap 'Edit' at the top of the diary to select and remove multiple items.

Make sure your phone's camera permissions are enabled for the MyFitnessPal app. In your phone's settings, grant MyFitnessPal access to the camera to use the barcode scanner.

Yes. Scroll down in your diary past the meal entries to find the water tracker. Tap the plus or minus buttons to add or remove your daily water intake.