How to Add Meals in Pal: The Comprehensive MyFitnessPal Guide

Over 80% of MyFitnessPal users report that logging their meals helps them reach their health goals. This comprehensive guide explains exactly how to add meals in Pal, focusing on the highly popular MyFitnessPal application, to help you stay on track and maintain consistency with your nutrition tracking.

Quick Summary

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for logging food within the MyFitnessPal app using several methods. It details how to find foods via search, scan product barcodes, create and save custom meals, and utilize advanced features for efficiency.

Key Points

• Search: Use descriptive keywords to find foods in the extensive database.

• Barcode: Scan packaged products for fast and accurate logging.

• Saved Meals: Create and reuse custom meals and recipes for frequently eaten foods.

• Copy Meals: Duplicate meals from previous days to save time and ensure consistency.

• Meal Scan: Premium users can use AI to log meals by simply taking a picture.

• Accuracy: Always adjust serving sizes and prioritize verified food entries.

• Alternatives: 'Pal' can refer to other apps like FoodPal or MealPal, each with a different focus.

Getting Started with Logging in MyFitnessPal

For many, the first step to better health is understanding what they eat. MyFitnessPal provides a robust platform for logging meals, but navigating all its features can be confusing at first. The most direct path starts from the main dashboard or 'Diary' tab.

Accessing the Food Diary

On the MyFitnessPal app, you will find a prominent blue '+' button, usually at the bottom of the screen. Tapping this button presents several options. Select 'Food' to begin logging your meal. From there, you'll choose which meal you are logging, such as 'Breakfast', 'Lunch', 'Dinner', or 'Snacks'.

Using the Search Database

The most common method for logging a meal is to search the app's extensive food database. The database contains over 19 million food items, from whole foods to restaurant meals.

Steps for searching for food:

1. After selecting your meal, tap the search bar at the top of the screen.
2. Type in the name of the food. For best results, be specific (e.g., 'grilled chicken breast' instead of 'chicken').
3. Review the list of search results. Look for items with a green checkmark, which indicates a verified entry from MyFitnessPal's nutrition science team.
4. Tap the correct food item. On the next screen, you can adjust the serving size and number of servings to accurately reflect your portion.
5. Tap the checkmark to add the item to your food diary.

Logging with the Barcode Scanner

For packaged goods, the barcode scanner is the fastest and most convenient logging method. It's a premium feature in some versions but widely available.

Steps for scanning a barcode:

1. Tap the '+' button, then 'Food', and select your meal.
2. On the search screen, tap the barcode icon, usually in the top right.
3. Your phone's camera will activate. Position the barcode of the food item within the frame.
4. The app will automatically detect the product and pull up its nutritional information. Review the serving size and quantity before logging.

Advanced Logging for Efficiency

As you use MyFitnessPal more frequently, you can save time by creating custom meals and recipes for food you eat regularly.

Creating Custom Meals and Recipes

Instead of logging every single ingredient of a repeated meal, such as your daily breakfast of eggs and toast, you can save it as a custom meal.

To save a meal:

1. Log all the individual ingredients for one meal as you normally would.
2. In the diary, find the meal section (e.g., 'Breakfast') and tap the three dots (...) or 'Edit'.
3. Select 'Save as Meal' and give it a name like 'Daily Scrambled Eggs'.
4. The next time you eat this meal, go to the 'Add Food' screen, tap the 'My Meals' tab, and select it for quick logging.

To create a recipe:

1. Go to the 'More' menu, then 'Meals, Recipes & Foods'.
2. Select 'Create a Recipe' and choose 'Enter Ingredients Manually' or import from a URL.
3. Enter the ingredients, name the recipe, and specify the number of servings.

The Meal Scan Feature (Premium)

MyFitnessPal Premium subscribers can use the AI-powered 'Meal Scan' feature to log food by simply taking a picture. The app uses computer vision to recognize multiple food items on a plate, suggest verified entries, and allow for quick logging.

Copying Meals for Repeat Days

If your eating habits are consistent, the 'Copy Meal' or 'Copy from Date' features can be a huge time-saver. You can copy an entire meal from a previous day to your current diary with just a few taps.

Comparison of Food Tracking Platforms

While MyFitnessPal is the most common interpretation of 'Pal' for meal tracking, other apps exist. Here is a brief comparison.

Feature	MyFitnessPal (MFP)	FoodPal	MealPal
Primary Function	Calorie & macro tracking, extensive database	Diet plans, meal prep, shopping lists	Subscription service for restaurant meals
AI Features	Meal Scan (Premium) identifies food from photos	AI companion for recipes and planning	None; based on user-chosen restaurant meals
User Base	Very large, user-driven database	Smaller, community-focused, often regional	Specific to metro areas, focuses on lunch/dinner pickups
Free Tier	Yes, with ads and core features	Yes, with premium 'Pro' version available	Trial offers available, operates on a credit system
Best For	General, comprehensive food and exercise logging	Meal planning and recipe management	Cost-effective lunch/dinner from local restaurants

Troubleshooting Common Logging Issues

Dealing with Inaccurate Data

Because MyFitnessPal's database is user-driven, some entries can be inaccurate. Always prioritize items with the green 'Verified' checkmark. For packaged items, use the barcode scanner, and for generics, opt for verified or USDA entries.

Handling Unlisted Foods

For items not found in the database, such as unique ingredients or restaurant meals, you can create a custom food entry. This is done through the 'More' menu, under 'Meals, Recipes & Foods', by tapping 'Create a New Food'.

Conclusion: Consistent Tracking for Success

Understanding how to add meals in Pal is the cornerstone of effective nutrition tracking. By leveraging MyFitnessPal's powerful features—from simple searching and barcode scanning to advanced options like saving meals and copying entries—you can build a consistent and sustainable habit. Remember, accuracy is key, so always double-check serving sizes and opt for verified entries when possible. With a little practice, food logging will become a quick and easy part of your daily routine, empowering you with the data you need to reach your health and fitness goals. For further tips and support, visit the MyFitnessPal support site at https://support.myfitnesspal.com/hc/en-us.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I log a meal with multiple ingredients?

First, log all the individual ingredients into a single meal category, like 'Dinner'. Once all items are added, you can use the 'Save as Meal' feature to combine them. This creates a single entry that you can add in the future with one tap.

Can I log food without scanning a barcode?

Yes. The barcode scanner is just one method. You can use the extensive search database by typing the food's name, find items from your history, or create a custom entry for unlisted items.

How do I create a custom food entry?

To create a custom food entry, navigate to the 'More' menu. Select 'Meals, Recipes & Foods', then tap 'Create a Food'. You will then manually enter the nutritional information for the item.

What should I do if the search results show inaccurate data?

Due to the large user-contributed database, some entries may be inaccurate. For reliable data, always look for entries with a green checkmark, which signifies a verified entry from MyFitnessPal's nutrition team.

How can I copy a meal to another day?

After logging a meal, tap the three dots (...) next to the meal entry. Select 'Copy to Date' and choose the day and meal slot where you want to paste the entry.

What is the Meal Scan feature?

Meal Scan is an AI-powered feature for MyFitnessPal Premium users that allows you to log food by taking a picture of your meal with your phone's camera. The app recognizes the food and logs it for you.

Does this guide apply to apps other than MyFitnessPal?

This guide primarily focuses on MyFitnessPal, as it is the most common interpretation of 'Pal' in the context of food logging. Other apps like FoodPal or MealPal have different interfaces and features.