How to Add a Food Item to MyFitnessPal: A Comprehensive Guide

According to MyFitnessPal data, users who log their food at least four days in their first week are seven times more likely to make progress towards their weight loss goals. This means that knowing how to add a food item to MyFitnessPal efficiently and accurately is a fundamental skill for anyone serious about their wellness journey.

Quick Summary

This detailed guide explains the multiple ways to add food to your MyFitnessPal diary, covering the database search, manual entry for custom items, barcode scanning, and creating saved meals or recipes.

Key Points

• Custom Entry: Manually input nutritional information for items not in the database, like unique local products or specialized supplements.

• Barcode Scanning: Use the app's scanner for fast, accurate logging of packaged foods by matching the product's barcode to existing database entries.

• Save Meals: Group frequently eaten combinations of foods into a single saved meal for quick logging with just one tap.

• Create Recipes: Input individual ingredients and their quantities to automatically calculate the total nutritional value for homemade dishes.

• Use Verified Foods: Prioritize database entries marked with a green checkmark, as these have been verified by MyFitnessPal staff for accuracy.

• Pre-Log Meals: Plan and log your meals in advance to stay on track and adjust your food intake proactively to meet your daily goals.

• Report Inaccuracies: Flag incorrect user-submitted food data using the 'Report a Food' feature to improve the database for all users.

Navigating the world's largest food database requires a little know-how. Whether you are adding a common item, a homemade recipe, or a custom food with specific nutritional data, MyFitnessPal provides several methods to ensure your food diary is as accurate as possible. By understanding each method, you can make food logging a quick and easy part of your routine.

Method 1: Adding a Food from the Database

This is the most common and fastest way to log your food, ideal for packaged products and standard fresh foods. The MyFitnessPal database contains millions of items, including brand names and restaurant dishes.

1. Open your Diary: On the main dashboard, tap the blue plus (+) button, then select the 'Food' icon, and choose the meal you are logging.
2. Search for the food: Type the name of the item into the search bar. Including brand names (e.g., "Kellogg's Special K Cereal") or preparation details (e.g., "cooked salmon") can yield more accurate results.
3. Select the item: Scroll through the list and find the best match. Items with a green checkmark are verified by MyFitnessPal and are typically the most reliable.
4. Confirm serving details: Tap the item to adjust the serving size, number of servings, and the meal it belongs to. Tap the checkmark to add it to your diary.

Method 2: Creating a Custom Food

When a specific food item or product isn't in the database, you can create a custom entry. This is particularly useful for unique brands, local products, or tracking very precise nutritional information.

For the mobile app

1. Start a search: Tap the add food button for your meal and search for the item. When the search yields no results or the results are inaccurate, an option to "Create a new food" will appear below the search results.
2. Enter details manually: Enter the food's name, serving size, and nutritional information, which you can copy directly from a nutrition label for maximum accuracy. You can also specify the number of servings per container.
3. Save the food: Tap the save button. The new food will now appear in your "My Foods" list and is searchable for future logging.

For the website

1. Navigate to the food tab: On the MyFitnessPal website, click the "Food" tab at the top of the page.
2. Find the custom entry option: In your food diary, below the search results for a meal, click the link that says "Add a food to our database".
3. Fill in the information: Enter the brand name, description, and nutritional information, then click continue to save the item. It will be added to your personal database.

Method 3: Scanning a Barcode

For packaged goods, the barcode scanner is one of the quickest ways to add a food item, though it is often a premium feature on the MyFitnessPal app.

1. Initiate the scanner: Tap the blue plus (+) button, select the 'Food' icon, and tap the barcode icon in the search bar.
2. Scan the barcode: Position your phone's camera over the barcode of the food package. The app will automatically search for and find the item in the database.
3. Verify the information: The app will pull up the nutritional details. Always double-check that the information matches the packaging, as user-generated entries can sometimes be inaccurate.
4. Adjust and log: Confirm the serving size and quantity before logging the item to your diary.

Method 4: Creating and Saving a Recipe or Meal

If you frequently eat the same combination of foods, such as a homemade dish or a regular breakfast, creating a saved recipe or meal is a major time-saver.

1. Go to the Recipes section: Tap the 'More' menu in the bottom right corner, then navigate to 'Meals, Recipes & Foods' and select the 'Recipes' tab.
2. Create a recipe: Tap 'Create a Recipe' and choose 'Enter Ingredients Manually'. Name your recipe and specify the number of servings. A helpful tip is to make the number of servings equal to the total weight in grams, so one serving is one gram.
3. Add ingredients: Search for each ingredient and add the correct amount to the recipe. The app will calculate the total nutrition for you.
4. Save and log: Once all ingredients are added, save the recipe. It will now be available in your 'My Recipes' list, ready for quick logging in the future.

How to Save a Meal for Quick Logging

For simple combinations, you can save a meal directly from your diary:

1. Add all foods: First, add all the individual food items for a meal to your diary as you normally would.
2. Save as a meal: Tap the three dots (···) at the bottom of that meal entry and choose "Save as Meal." Give it a name, and it will be accessible in your "My Meals" tab.

Tips for Maximizing Accuracy

• Prioritize verified entries: When searching the database, look for items with a green checkmark to ensure the most reliable data.
• Pre-log your food: If you're planning your meals, log them in advance to see how they impact your daily goals and make adjustments before you eat.
• Use a food scale: For the most accurate tracking, especially for calorie-dense items like oils or pasta, use a food scale to weigh your portions.
• Check and report errors: If you find inaccurate user-entered data, you can report the food item to help improve the database for everyone.

Comparison of MyFitnessPal Food Logging Methods

Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
Search Database	Packaged foods, fresh produce, restaurant items	Fastest method for common items, large database	Potential for user-entered inaccuracies
Create Custom Food	Unique items, precise nutrition labels, specific brands	Maximum accuracy, ensures all foods are trackable	Requires manual data entry, more time-consuming
Scan Barcode	Packaged foods with a nutrition label	Very fast and convenient, pulls precise label data	Often a Premium feature, data can be user-generated
Create Recipe	Homemade meals, complex dishes with multiple ingredients	Automates calculation for complex dishes, saves time long-term	Initial setup takes time, accuracy depends on ingredient entry
Save Meal	Simple, repetitive meal combinations (e.g., breakfast)	Extremely fast for logging regular meals	Best for fixed combinations, less flexible than a recipe

Conclusion

There are multiple ways to add a food item to MyFitnessPal, each offering different levels of convenience and accuracy. For quick logging of common items, the database search or barcode scanner is ideal. For specific or homemade foods, taking the time to create a custom food or saved recipe will yield the most accurate results and save you effort in the long run. By mastering these different methods, you can build a more complete and insightful food diary, supporting your health and fitness journey with reliable data. Consistency is more important than perfection, so use the methods that best fit your lifestyle to build a sustainable tracking habit.

For more great tips and best practices for food logging, check out this guide from the MyFitnessPal Blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manually add a new food item in MyFitnessPal?

To manually add a new food, tap the 'More' menu, go to 'Meals, Recipes & Foods,' and select 'Foods.' Tap the plus (+) button or 'Create a new food' to input the nutritional information from scratch.

What is the difference between a custom food and a saved recipe?

A custom food is a single food item with its nutritional facts entered manually. A saved recipe is a collection of multiple ingredients that MyFitnessPal combines to give you the total nutrition for the finished dish.

Can I add a food item by scanning a barcode?

Yes, many packaged foods can be added by scanning their barcode with your phone's camera. This is often a premium feature on MyFitnessPal.

How do I find a verified food item in the search results?

Verified food items are indicated with a green checkmark next to their name in the search results. These entries have been checked by MyFitnessPal staff and are generally the most accurate.

How do I report inaccurate nutritional information for a food entry?

If you find an inaccurate food entry, you can report it to MyFitnessPal. At the bottom of the food details screen, look for a 'Report a Food' or similar option to flag it for review.

How do I log a meal that I eat frequently?

You can save frequently eaten combinations of foods as a meal. Log all the items for the meal once, then use the 'Save as Meal' option from your diary to quickly add it again in the future.

Is it better to weigh my food or use measuring cups?

Using a food scale to weigh your food is the most accurate method for tracking portion sizes, especially for calorie-dense foods. Volume measurements like cups are less precise.