How MyFitnessPal Works in Australia
For Australians, using MyFitnessPal functions much the same as it does globally. Users can download the app and create a free profile, setting goals for weight loss, maintenance, or muscle gain. The core functionality revolves around logging food intake, tracking exercise, and monitoring progress over time. While the app’s features are robust, the main differences for an Australian audience lie in the specifics of the food database and pricing structure.
Setting Up for Success
To maximise success with MyFitnessPal in Australia, follow these steps:
- Select Australian Metrics: Ensure your settings are configured for metric units (grams, kilograms, kilojoules) to align with local food labelling standards and fitness tracking.
- Prioritise Verified Entries: When searching for packaged foods, look for the green tick icon indicating a verified entry. This helps to avoid inaccuracies often found in user-submitted data.
- Log Meals Accurately: Weighing your food in grams rather than relying on estimated serving sizes (like "1 cup" or "1 bowl") provides far greater accuracy for calorie and macro tracking.
- Customise Frequently Used Items: For common foods or personal recipes, you can create and save custom entries, making future logging much faster and more precise.
The Australian Food Database: Pros and Cons
MyFitnessPal's database is one of its biggest assets, boasting over 18 million food items. However, because a significant portion is user-generated, it comes with a mix of advantages and disadvantages for Australian users.
Advantages of the Food Database
- Vast Range of Foods: The database contains an extensive range of items, including many Australian products, from supermarket staples to specific restaurant meals.
- User-Contributed Content: The community-driven nature means that if a product is not listed, an Australian user can add it for others to use, improving the database over time.
- Quick Logging: When the database entry is correct, it significantly speeds up the logging process, especially with the premium barcode scanner.
Disadvantages of the Food Database
- Inaccurate Information: User-added data can be prone to errors in calories or macros, meaning you must cross-reference against the nutritional panel on the product itself.
- Missing Local Items: While comprehensive, some small or obscure Australian brands might be missing from the database, requiring manual entry.
- US-Centric Bias: Historically, the app was built for a US market, and while much has improved, some older database items or default settings might still reflect US nutritional standards or units.
MyFitnessPal Free vs. Premium in Australia
Australian users can choose between the free version and a paid premium subscription, with the main trade-off being convenience and advanced features versus cost.
Key Free Features
- Calorie and Macro Tracking: Track your food, exercise, and weight, with a basic overview of your protein, fat, and carb intake.
- Community and Device Integration: Connect with friends for accountability and sync with popular fitness devices like Fitbit and Garmin.
Key Premium Features (AUD)
- Barcode Scanner: A major feature that moved behind the premium paywall. Scanning a product's barcode makes logging quick and easy.
- Custom Macronutrient Goals: Set specific protein, carb, and fat targets by gram or percentage per meal, offering more advanced dietary control.
- Ad-Free Experience: Remove advertisements from the app for a smoother user experience.
- Intermittent Fasting Tools: Access a tracker and schedules for those following an intermittent fasting plan.
- Premium+ Meal Planner: Access customized weekly meal plans, recipes, and automatically generated grocery lists (around $39.99/month AUD).
Australian Alternatives to MyFitnessPal
While MyFitnessPal is a powerful tool, it's not the only option for Australians. Competitors may offer more localized features.
- CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet app: An Australian-specific app focusing on a high-protein, low-GI diet, complete with meal plans and shopping lists based on local products.
- Easy Diet Diary (Australian Calorie Counter): Praised for its Australian product database and intuitive meal planning features, though some users find the interface less modern.
- Lose It!: A strong competitor with a user-friendly interface, barcode scanner, and support for various dietary styles.
- MacroFactor: Uses metabolic adaptation science to adjust macros automatically. Features include AI photo logging and a verified food database.
Comparison of MyFitnessPal and Australian Alternatives
| Feature | MyFitnessPal (Premium) | CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet | Easy Diet Diary | Lose It! |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Database | Good, but relies on user entries, so accuracy varies | Excellent, focused on Australian products | Excellent, strong Australian product database | Good, international but offers barcode scanning |
| Cost (AUD) | ~$19.99/month or $79.99/year | Subscription fee applies, based on program | Potentially a one-off download fee | Free + Premium options |
| Key Features | Custom macros, food and exercise tracking, device syncing | High-protein/low-GI plans, AI guide | Meal planning, ad-free experience | User-friendly tracking, detailed insights |
| Main Strength | Large community and wide range of food items | Scientifically-backed, locally-focused plans | Ease of use and reliable local data | User-friendly interface and fast logging |
| Main Weakness | Free version less featured, accuracy of user data | Less flexible for non-diet followers | User interface feels dated | Limited features in the free version |
Who Is MyFitnessPal Best For in Australia?
MyFitnessPal is a powerful tool for Australians who are committed to food tracking and want a comprehensive overview of their nutrition and exercise. It's particularly well-suited for:
- Budget-Conscious Beginners: The free version offers robust foundational tracking for calories, macros, and weight, allowing users to get started without any financial commitment.
- Advanced Trackers: For those seeking precise macro tracking, custom goals, and a streamlined, ad-free experience, the premium version provides excellent value, especially when purchased annually.
- Habit Builders: The daily logging and reminder features are highly effective for building consistency and holding yourself accountable to your goals.
- Device Users: With extensive integration capabilities, it's ideal for those who use a fitness tracker or smartwatch from brands like Fitbit or Garmin.
Conclusion: Is MyFitnessPal Good in Australia?
Ultimately, is MyFitnessPal good in Australia? The answer is a resounding yes, but with some caveats. Its powerful features and extensive database make it a highly effective tool for managing diet and exercise, and its widespread adoption means it's well-supported. However, Australian users should be mindful of the potential inaccuracies in user-generated food data and cross-reference information where possible. While the free version is still a solid starting point, the removal of the barcode scanner and the shift of key features to premium have made the paid subscription more compelling for serious users. For those prioritising a completely localised database and specific meal plans, an Australian-centric app like the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet might be a better fit. However, MyFitnessPal's overall functionality and flexibility remain a strong choice for most Australians committed to their health and fitness journey, especially those who find accountability and community motivating. PCMag Australia Review
