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Is there a food scale that works with MyFitnessPal?

5 min read

Many people believe that smart food scales can automatically sync food data directly with MyFitnessPal, but official support pages clarify this is not the case. So, is there a food scale that works with MyFitnessPal? The answer is nuanced: while direct food tracking sync is unavailable, any food scale can be used effectively for manual and precise logging.

Quick Summary

No food scale automatically syncs nutritional data to MyFitnessPal; users must manually enter weighed portions. The primary advantage of a food scale is providing accurate portion measurements for better caloric and macronutrient tracking.

Key Points

  • No Automatic Sync: Food scales, smart or otherwise, do not sync food-specific nutritional data directly to MyFitnessPal.

  • Manual Entry is Required: The most accurate method for MFP tracking is to manually log the exact grams or ounces of food as measured by a scale.

  • Prioritize Accuracy: When buying, focus on a scale with high precision (1g increments), a quick tare function, and a clear display, not app-based syncing.

  • Body vs. Food Scales: Only smart body scales from partners like VeSync or Renpho can sync weight data to MFP, not the food scales.

  • Benefits of Precision: Weighing food eliminates guesswork, ensures consistent data, and helps with mindful portion control for better results.

  • Evaluate Smart Features: Some scales offer companion apps with nutritional databases, but you must still manually transfer this data to MFP. A basic scale is often sufficient.

In This Article

No, Food Data Does Not Sync Automatically

A common misconception is that a Bluetooth or smart food scale will automatically send the nutritional information of a weighed food item directly to your MyFitnessPal (MFP) diary. This feature is not available, and official support documentation from MFP confirms this. The integrations that exist are primarily for smart body weight scales (such as those from VeSync or Renpho Health) which send your daily body weight measurement to the app.

For food logging, the process, even with the most advanced smart scales, remains a manual one. Weighing your food is the most accurate way to log your intake, but it still requires a few manual steps. This article will explain the best way to utilize any digital food scale to make your MyFitnessPal tracking more precise and effective.

How to Use Any Food Scale with MyFitnessPal

Using a food scale is a simple process that guarantees accuracy, whether you're using a basic model or a smart, app-enabled one.

Step 1: Weigh Your Food Accurately

  1. Place and Tare: Place your empty bowl or container on the scale. Press the 'tare' or 'zero' button to reset the display to 0. This removes the weight of the container from your measurement.
  2. Add Your Food: Add the food item you want to weigh to the container. The scale will display its weight, typically in grams or ounces.
  3. Note the Measurement: Write down the weight or remember it as you move to the next step.

Step 2: Log in MyFitnessPal

  1. Search the Database: In the MyFitnessPal app, search for the food item you just weighed.
  2. Choose the Serving Size: Select the correct entry, making sure to use the specific weight unit (grams, ounces) as the serving size. This is more accurate than using generic cups or tablespoons.
  3. Enter the Weight: Type in the exact weight you measured on the scale. For example, if you measured 150 grams of cooked rice, you would enter '150' with the 'grams' serving size selected.

Step 3: Streamline the Process with Smart Scales (and their apps)

Some advanced food scales, like the Renpho Smart Food Scale, come with their own companion apps. While these apps won't sync with MFP, they can still streamline your logging process.

  1. Weigh Food on Smart Scale: Place the food on the scale, and its app (e.g., Renpho Health, VeSync) will often provide a nutritional breakdown based on its own database.
  2. Use App's Nutritional Data: The app can show you the calories, macros, and other nutritional information for the portion you've weighed.
  3. Manually Log in MFP: Use the precise nutritional data from the scale's app to manually create a custom food entry in MyFitnessPal, or find a similar entry and adjust the serving size accordingly.

Features to Prioritize When Choosing a Food Scale

Since automatic syncing isn't an option for food data, your focus should be on the scale's fundamental features and usability.

  • High Precision: Look for a scale that measures in 1-gram (or 0.1-ounce) increments. This level of accuracy is essential for tracking macros in smaller portions, like nuts or spices.
  • Reliable Tare Function: The ability to zero out the scale quickly and reliably is non-negotiable. This feature is used constantly throughout food prep.
  • Clear Display: A large, backlit display is crucial. It ensures you can easily read measurements, even when a large bowl is placed on the scale.
  • Easy to Clean Platform: Scales with a stainless steel or tempered glass platform are hygienic and easy to wipe down after each use.
  • Appropriate Capacity: Choose a scale with a max capacity suitable for your needs. A typical 5 kg (11 lb) capacity is fine for most home use, but higher capacity may be needed for bulk meal prep.

Comparison Table: Best Scales for Accurate MyFitnessPal Logging

Scale Model Key Features Accuracy Max Capacity Best For
Renpho Smart Food Scale Bluetooth, companion app with nutritional database, tare, five units 1g / 0.05oz increments 5 kg / 11 lb Users who want in-app nutritional help before manually logging to MFP
Escali Primo Digital Scale Fast, simple two-button interface, long auto-off time, runs on AA batteries 1g / 0.05oz increments 5 kg / 11 lb All-around home cooks prioritizing simplicity and accuracy for manual MFP entry
Etekcity Smart Food Nutrition Scale Bluetooth, VeSync app with 19 nutritional facts, tare, stainless steel 1g / 0.05oz increments 5 kg / 11 lb Tech-savvy users who want a scale app for nutrition analysis before logging
My Weigh Bakers Math Scale Calculates baker's percentage, robust design, multiple units, high precision 0.1g increments (some models) 8 kg / 17.6 lb Serious bakers or anyone who needs extra-fine precision for ingredients

Benefits of Precise Tracking for MyFitnessPal Users

Using a food scale consistently, even with manual entry, provides significant advantages for those using MyFitnessPal for nutritional goals:

  • Eliminate Estimation Errors: Relying on measuring cups or visual estimates is notoriously inaccurate. A food scale removes this guesswork, ensuring your logged data is consistently correct.
  • Boost Portion Control: Regularly weighing food helps train your eye to recognize proper serving sizes, which is a valuable skill for mindful eating, especially when you're not at home.
  • Increase Accountability: Tracking with a food scale provides undeniable data, strengthening your commitment to your nutritional and fitness goals. The precision holds you accountable for what you eat.
  • Improve Data Insights: Accurate logging leads to more reliable data over time. This enables MyFitnessPal's features to give you a clearer picture of your dietary habits and progress.

Conclusion

While the answer to "is there a food scale that works with MyFitnessPal?" is no, in terms of automatic food sync, that should not discourage you from using one. The real power of a food scale lies in the accuracy it brings to your manual logging. The effort of manually entering the weight is a minor price to pay for the major improvements in tracking precision and dietary awareness.

Whether you opt for a simple, reliable digital scale or a smart version with a companion app for enhanced nutritional data, a food scale is arguably the most valuable tool for any MyFitnessPal user committed to accurate calorie and macro tracking. The consistent data it provides is essential for making informed decisions on your health journey.

To learn more about what to look for in a quality kitchen scale, see the reviews by The New York Times' Wirecutter: The 4 Best Kitchen Scales of 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any standard digital food scale can be used to manually weigh food for highly accurate portion tracking in the MyFitnessPal app. The app's database will then provide the nutritional information for the portion size you enter.

No, smart food scales do not have the capability to send food-specific nutritional data directly to MyFitnessPal. The integration partners listed by MFP, like VeSync and Renpho, only sync body weight data from compatible body scales.

A food scale provides highly precise measurements, eliminating the guesswork of using measuring cups or visual estimates. This accuracy is critical for serious calorie and macro tracking, leading to better results and insights into your diet.

First, weigh your food on the scale after taring for your container. Next, search for the food item in the MyFitnessPal database. Then, select the correct serving size (grams or ounces) and manually enter the weight you measured.

No, the Renpho food scale does not sync nutritional data to MyFitnessPal. You can use the Renpho Health app to get nutritional info for your weighed food, but you must manually transfer that data into MFP. The only sync is for body weight data from a Renpho body scale.

The tare function allows you to zero out the scale's measurement, effectively ignoring the weight of your bowl or plate. This ensures you are only measuring the net weight of the food you are logging.

A smart food scale with a nutritional database in its companion app can assist with calculations, but since the data must still be manually transferred to MyFitnessPal, a simple, reliable digital scale is often sufficient and more budget-friendly for most users.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.