How to edit custom foods in Fitbit app with ease

According to the official Fitbit Community forums, editing a custom food can be done quickly through a specific menu in the app, but the exact steps differ slightly by device. This guide will walk you through how to edit custom foods in the Fitbit app, ensuring your nutrition logs are always accurate.

Quick Summary

A guide to updating previously created custom food entries in the Fitbit mobile application. Detailed instructions for modifying nutritional data and serving sizes for saved items, not just daily log entries.

Key Points

• Access the Custom Food List: To edit a custom food, navigate to the 'Food' tile, tap the '+' button, and select the 'Custom' tab.

• Edit on iOS: iOS users tap the 'Edit' button in the top-left corner of the custom foods screen and then select the pencil icon next to the food they want to modify.

• Edit on Android: Android users swipe left on the custom food entry to reveal the 'Edit' and 'Delete' options.

• Detailed Macro Editing: To edit specific macronutrients, select the custom food and tap 'Switch to detailed view' on the food's detail page.

• Historical Entries Not Affected: Changes to a custom food only apply to future logged meals and do not update past entries.

• Custom Meals are Different: Custom meals cannot be edited as a single entry; you must edit the individual custom food components within the meal.

• Avoid Deleting and Re-adding: Editing an existing custom food is more efficient than deleting and creating a new one, as it prevents clutter and saves time.

• Use Search for Quick Access: If your custom food list is long, use the search bar within the 'Custom' foods tab to quickly find the item you need to edit.

Why you need to edit custom foods

Manually logging custom foods is a powerful feature for tracking homemade recipes, obscure ingredients, or foods without a barcode. However, recipes change, portion sizes fluctuate, and nutritional information may need correcting. A custom food entry for a smoothie you made last year might have different ingredients and macronutrients than the one you're making now. Rather than creating a new entry from scratch every time, editing the existing custom food saves time and keeps your food list clean.

Accessing the custom food editing menu

The process for editing custom foods is slightly different depending on whether you use an iOS or Android device. However, the first few steps are the same for everyone.

1. Open the Fitbit app on your mobile device.
2. Tap on the Food tile from the main Dashboard (it looks like a plate and cutlery icon).
3. Tap the + (plus) icon in the top right corner of the screen, just as if you were going to log a new meal.
4. At the top of the 'Log Food' screen, tap the Custom tab.

Editing on iOS (iPhone, iPad)

For iOS users, the interface has a specific edit button for managing your custom foods.

1. From the Custom food list, tap the Edit button in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. A list of your custom foods will appear with a small pencil icon next to each one. Tap the pencil icon next to the food you want to modify.
3. On the food's detail screen, you can now update the name, serving size, and nutritional information.
4. Once all changes are complete, tap Save to update the custom food entry.

Editing on Android

Android users use a slightly different gesture to access the edit option.

1. From the Custom food list, find the custom food entry you want to change.
2. Swipe left on the custom food entry.
3. Two options will appear: a grey Edit button and a red Delete button.
4. Tap the grey Edit button.
5. Modify the food's name, serving size, or nutritional details as needed.
6. Tap Save to confirm your changes.

Editing a single macro in a custom food

In some cases, you may only need to tweak a specific macronutrient. While most users will edit from the main screen, there is another way to access a more detailed view if you need it.

1. Follow the steps above to get to the food's detail screen.
2. On the food's detail page, look for an option like "Switch to detailed view" to make more granular changes to specific macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat).
3. Edit the macronutrient values directly.
4. Save your changes to update the custom food entry permanently.

Comparison: Editing vs. Deleting and Re-adding

When faced with an outdated custom food, you might wonder if it's easier to simply delete it and start over. This comparison table highlights why editing is the more efficient choice.

Feature	Editing an Existing Custom Food	Deleting and Re-adding
Time Efficiency	Quick and simple, just a few taps to update specific values.	Requires re-entering all nutritional data from scratch.
Data Integrity	Preserves the original food entry while updating. Useful for slight variations.	Starts with a brand new entry, which can lead to duplicate or messy logs.
Historical Data	Updates the base food item. Note that it will not retroactively change past logged meals.	Does not impact past logs but creates a new, separate food item for future use.
User Experience	Seamless and clean. Your custom food list remains organized.	Clutters your custom food list with multiple versions of the same food.

Conclusion

Maintaining an accurate food log is essential for effective health and fitness tracking. Learning how to edit custom foods in the Fitbit app is a simple but crucial skill that streamlines the process and keeps your data tidy. Whether you are adjusting a recipe, correcting an error, or fine-tuning your macronutrients, the app provides a straightforward way to update your entries. Regularly editing your custom foods ensures your nutritional data is always up-to-date, providing a more reliable foundation for achieving your health goals.

Frequently asked questions

Question: Why can't I edit the macronutrients for a food I logged from the main database? Answer: You can only edit the macronutrients for custom foods that you created yourself. For foods from the main Fitbit database, you can only adjust the serving size for a specific daily log entry.

Question: If I edit a custom food, will it change my past food logs? Answer: No, editing a custom food will not retroactively update any meals you have previously logged. The changes will only apply to future logs using that custom food.

Question: Can I edit a custom meal in Fitbit the same way as a custom food? Answer: No. While you can create custom meals from a combination of other foods, the process for editing these is different. You must edit the individual food items within the meal rather than editing the meal as a whole.

Question: What's the difference between editing and deleting a custom food on Android? Answer: On Android, swiping left on a custom food reveals both an 'Edit' and a 'Delete' button. 'Edit' allows you to change the details of the food, while 'Delete' permanently removes it from your custom foods list.

Question: Is the process for editing custom foods the same for all Fitbit devices? Answer: The editing process is tied to the Fitbit mobile app, not the specific device you use (e.g., Charge, Versa, Sense). The steps are consistent across all devices as long as you are using the same version of the app on either iOS or Android.

Question: Can I edit a food log entry for a specific day? Answer: Yes, you can edit a food you've already logged by tapping the food entry from your daily log to adjust the serving size, time, or date. However, you can only edit the nutritional content if it is a custom food.

Question: What happens if I use quotation marks in the food name when editing? Answer: It is best to avoid using quotation marks in the food name, as this can sometimes cause unexpected issues with data formatting in the app. Stick to alphanumeric characters for the name.

Question: I can't find my custom food. How do I locate it to edit it? Answer: Navigate to the Food tile, tap the + icon, go to the Custom tab, and then use the search bar at the top of that screen to search for the food by name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I edit the nutritional information for a food I logged from Fitbit's main database?

You can only edit the specific serving size and time for food entries from Fitbit's database, but not the core nutritional content. The ability to change macronutrients is reserved for custom foods you've created yourself.

Does editing a custom food change my previously logged meals?

No, editing a custom food does not retroactively change any past food logs. It only updates the master custom food entry, so all future logs using that food will have the new information.

How do I edit a custom meal in Fitbit?

Custom meals are a combination of other foods. To edit a custom meal, you need to edit the individual food items that make up that meal, not the meal as a whole. This approach allows for more flexibility.

What is the fastest way to edit a custom food on Android?

On an Android device, the fastest way to edit a custom food is to swipe left on its entry from your 'Custom' foods list and then tap the grey 'Edit' button that appears.

Can I edit custom foods from the Fitbit website?

While it used to be possible on the web dashboard, the Fitbit app is now the primary interface for editing food logs and custom foods. The instructions provided are for the mobile app, which is the standard method.

How can I update the nutrients for a custom food after I've already logged it?

First, you must edit the master custom food entry using the steps outlined above. After saving the update, you can go back to your daily log, delete the old entry, and log the newly updated custom food.

Is there a way to delete a custom food entry?

Yes. On an Android device, swipe left on the custom food and tap 'Delete'. On iOS, tap the 'Edit' button and then select the custom food you want to remove to find the delete option.