Customizing Your Dashboard on the MyFitnessPal Mobile App
The most recent updates to MyFitnessPal have focused on providing users with a more personalized experience, especially for Premium subscribers. This means that the home screen is no longer a one-size-fits-all experience. Customizing your dashboard can help you focus on the metrics that matter most to your personal health goals, whether that's tracking specific nutrients, focusing on calories, or monitoring your macros.
For Premium Users: Editing Goal Cards
- Open the App: Launch the MyFitnessPal app on your iOS or Android device.
- Navigate to the Dashboard: Tap on the 'Dashboard' or 'Today' view, which is the main home screen of the app.
- Find the 'Edit' Button: In the top right corner of the dashboard, you will see an 'Edit' button. Tap this to begin customizing your display.
- Select Your Goal Cards: A list of nutrient goal card options will appear. You can select and reorder these cards to highlight up to two custom goals on your main screen. Options include:
- Carbohydrate
- Fat
- Protein
- Saturated Fat
- Sodium
- Cholesterol
- And more...
- Save Your Changes: After you have selected and arranged your cards, tap 'Done' or the checkmark to save your new dashboard layout.
Adjusting Macronutrient Focus (Premium)
For Premium users, you can also change the overall focus of your home screen to prioritize macronutrients. This can be done via the settings menu:
- Tap the yellow crown or settings gear in the top right corner of the dashboard.
- Select “Home Screen Dashboard” or a similar option.
- Choose “Macronutrient Focused” to see a quick view of your carbs, protein, and fat.
Customizing Your Dashboard on the MyFitnessPal Website
While the mobile app offers significant customization, the website provides another avenue for adjusting your dashboard settings, especially for nutrient tracking.
- Log In: Go to the MyFitnessPal website and log into your account.
- Access the Nutrient Dashboard: Navigate to the 'My Home' section and find the 'Nutrient Dashboard' feature.
- Change the View: Look for the 'Change' button near the top of the dashboard. This will present you with several preset views to choose from.
- Choose a Preset View: You can select from options like 'Calorie Focus', 'Macronutrient Focus', 'Heart Healthy', or 'Low Carb'.
- Create a Custom View: Alternatively, you can select 'Custom' and choose up to three specific nutrients to display prominently.
Using Widgets for Quick Access
For faster access to key information without opening the app, you can add MyFitnessPal widgets to your smartphone's home screen. This provides a snapshot of your progress directly on your device's home or lock screen.
Adding a Widget (iOS)
- Swipe Right: On your iPhone's home or lock screen, swipe all the way to the right to access the Today View.
- Tap 'Edit': Scroll to the bottom and tap 'Edit'.
- Add MyFitnessPal: Tap the '+' icon in the top left, search for MyFitnessPal, and select the widget of your choice (e.g., Today's Calories or Today's Macros).
- Place the Widget: Tap 'Add Widget' and then move it to your desired home screen location.
Adding a Widget (Android)
- Tap and Hold: Press and hold an empty space on your Android home screen.
- Select 'Widgets': Tap the 'Widgets' option that appears at the bottom.
- Find MyFitnessPal: Scroll or search until you see the MyFitnessPal widgets.
- Choose and Add: Select the widget you want (Calories Consumed and/or Macros Consumed) and drag it to your home screen.
Comparison of Dashboard Customization Options
| Feature | Mobile App (Free) | Mobile App (Premium) | Website | Widgets (iOS/Android) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Featured Nutrients | Limited via the 'Nutrition' tab. | Yes, can highlight two custom goals on the dashboard. | Yes, custom nutrient dashboard views available. | Limited to pre-defined views (calories, macros). |
| Home Screen Layout | Fixed layout; primarily focuses on calorie tracking. | Customizable with different focused views like 'Macronutrient Focused'. | Multiple pre-set views and custom options. | Not applicable; fixed widget size and content. |
| Macro Tracking | Viewable via the 'Nutrition' tab. | Customizable goals by grams and visible on dashboard. | Visible and adjustable. | Viewable via premium widgets. |
| Exercise Logging | Standard logging available. | Standard logging with more detailed history. | Standard logging. | Not applicable. |
Customizing Your Macronutrient Goals
Beyond simply viewing your metrics, you can also modify your underlying goals, which in turn changes how data is presented on your dashboard. This can be done on both the app and the website.
On the Mobile App
- Go to the 'More' Tab: Tap the 'More' button (three dots) in the bottom right corner.
- Select 'Goals': Tap on the 'Goals' option.
- Adjust 'Calories, Carbs, Protein & Fat Goals': For free users, you'll need to adjust macro percentages, ensuring they add up to 100%. Premium users can set specific gram goals.
- Save Changes: Tap the checkmark to save your new goals.
On the Website
- Access Settings: Log in and go to 'My Home' > 'Settings' > 'Update diet/fitness profile'.
- Modify Goals: Adjust your calorie and macronutrient settings as needed.
- Update Profile: Click 'Update Profile' to save your changes.
Conclusion
MyFitnessPal offers extensive options for personalizing your dashboard to match your specific health and fitness goals. Whether you are a free user focusing on basic calorie tracking or a Premium member who needs to closely monitor specific nutrients, adjusting your dashboard is a straightforward process on both the mobile app and the website. By customizing your home screen and using widgets, you can put the most relevant information front and center, making daily tracking more efficient and motivating.
Optional External Link
If you want to read more about the dashboard updates, you can find the official press release from May 2023 on the PR Newswire website.
