Finding Your Calorie Goal Settings
Adjusting your calorie intake on MyFitnessPal is a straightforward process, but the navigation differs slightly between the mobile app and the website. The key is to locate the 'Goals' section, which is the central hub for all your dietary targets. Once there, you can either let the platform recalculate your intake based on updated profile information or manually set a specific number.
On the MyFitnessPal Mobile App (iOS & Android)
To begin, open the MyFitnessPal app on your smartphone. The steps are very similar for both iPhone and Android users.
- Navigate to the Menu: On iOS, tap the 'More' tab in the bottom right corner. On Android, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
- Access Goals: From the menu, select 'Goals'.
- Select Nutrition Goals: Tap on 'Calories, Carbs, Protein & Fat Goals'.
- Edit Calories: Now you can tap the 'Calories' field and enter your new target amount. Tap the checkmark or 'Save' to confirm your changes.
On the MyFitnessPal Website
For those who prefer a desktop experience or find the website interface easier to navigate, follow these steps.
- Login: Go to the MyFitnessPal website and log into your account.
- Access Goals: Click 'My Home' in the main navigation, then select 'Goals'.
- Edit Daily Goals: Next to 'Daily Nutrition Goals', click the 'Edit' button.
- Enter New Calorie Goal: A new page will open where you can adjust your daily caloric target. Make your changes and click 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the page. The changes will automatically sync to your mobile app during its next sync.
Adjusting Your Calorie Goal: Two Main Methods
There are two primary ways to change your calorie intake on MyFitnessPal, each with its own advantages. The right method for you depends on whether you want a system-calculated number or a custom figure.
Method 1: Update Your Profile for Automatic Recalculation
MyFitnessPal's guided setup automatically calculates your daily calorie needs based on your current weight, activity level, and weight loss/gain goals. This is the ideal option if your health metrics have changed and you need a new, professionally suggested target.
- Update Weight: In the 'Goals' section, enter your current, most recent weight. If you’ve lost or gained a significant amount (e.g., 10 pounds), the app may prompt you to recalculate your goals.
- Change Weekly Goal: Adjust your target rate of weight loss or gain (e.g., from 1.5 lbs/week to 1.0 lbs/week). This will prompt a recalculation of your daily calorie allowance.
- Adjust Activity Level: Changing your activity level from 'Lightly Active' to 'Active', for example, will increase your daily calorie target. It's often recommended to set a lower activity level initially, as exercise can add calories back to your daily budget.
Method 2: Manually Override Your Goals
If you are following a specific plan from a dietitian or just prefer to use a custom number, you can set your calories manually. This is done in the same 'Goals' section as the automatic adjustments, but you simply type in the desired calorie number directly. This is also the section where you can adjust macronutrient (carbs, protein, fat) percentages, which are linked to your total calorie goal.
Understanding the Connection to Macros
When you manually adjust your calorie number, the macro percentages (carbs, protein, and fat) will automatically adjust to fit the new total. If you have the free version, these macros are adjusted in 5% increments. For example, if you change your target from 2000 to 1800 calories, the macro grams will reflect this new total while maintaining the set percentages.
Customization Options: Free vs. Premium
The level of control you have over your calorie and macro goals depends on whether you are a free or premium user. The premium subscription offers more granular control for those who need it.
| Feature | MyFitnessPal (Free) | MyFitnessPal (Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Calorie Goal Editing | Can set a single daily calorie goal manually or via guided setup. | Can set a single daily calorie goal manually or via guided setup. |
| Macro Goal Editing | Can customize macronutrient percentages (carbs, protein, fat) in 5% increments, totaling 100%. | Can set precise macronutrient goals in grams. |
| Daily Custom Goals | All days of the week share the same calorie goal. | Can set custom daily goals for different days (e.g., higher calories on workout days). |
| Meal-by-Meal Goals | Not available. | Can view the macro breakdown by meal and set specific calorie targets for each meal. |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you find your calorie goal isn't updating as expected, consider these troubleshooting steps:
- Force a Recalculation: If your weight has changed but the goal didn't update automatically, go back to the 'Goals' section and simply select your current 'Weekly Goal' option again, then save. This often forces the app to refresh the calorie calculation based on your current weight.
- Check for Syncing Issues: If you edit on the website, ensure the app has synced properly. This usually happens automatically but can be forced by reopening the app.
- Manual Overrides: Remember that any manual calorie entry will override the automatic calculation from your profile settings. If you’ve previously entered a manual number, the app will continue to use it until you change it again.
Conclusion
Editing your calorie intake on MyFitnessPal is a simple and essential step in making sure your tracking is accurate and aligned with your current health and fitness objectives. Whether you are using the app or the website, the 'Goals' section is where you can update your profile information for an automatic recalculation or manually input your own custom calorie target. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your goals is a key practice for effective weight management and long-term success. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently take control of your nutritional tracking.
For more specific help with features, refer to the official MyFitnessPal Help Center.
