A Flawed Food Database and Inaccurate Data
One of the most persistent criticisms of MyFitnessPal (MFP) centers on the accuracy of its vast food database. Because a significant portion of its entries are user-generated and lack professional verification, the app is rife with inaccuracies. Users often encounter duplicate entries, missing gram information, and outright incorrect nutritional values, making consistent and precise tracking nearly impossible without extensive cross-referencing. A 2024 study even found that MFP demonstrated "poor construct validity" and underestimated intake compared to standard methods, particularly concerning local foods not part of the standard American diet. While the app does use standard food composition data like the USDA for some entries, the sheer volume of user-submitted data dilutes its reliability. This problem is further compounded by the app's recommendations for "eating back" calories burned from exercise, which are often overestimated and can sabotage weight loss efforts. Ultimately, for those who rely on the app for precise dietary planning, this data uncertainty is a major setback.
The Negative Impact on Mental Health
For many, MyFitnessPal transitions from a helpful tool into an unhealthy obsession. The app's strong emphasis on daily calorie targets, streaks, and "in the green" statuses can foster a problematic relationship with food. Users report feeling guilt and embarrassment over exceeding calorie goals, leading to compensatory behavior like extra workouts. The app can train users to trust an algorithm and a rigid number more than their body's own natural hunger and fullness cues, which is a core tenet of intuitive eating. This rigid focus on numbers, rather than nutritional quality, can also push users towards processed foods that are easier to track, bypassing the benefits of whole, fresh ingredients. Ultimately, this fixation can lead to disordered eating patterns and a mental burden that is far from healthy.
Intrusive Monetization and User Experience Decline
Over the years, MyFitnessPal has shifted from a functional, robust free app to a platform heavily reliant on its Premium subscription. This has led to a significant downgrade in the free user experience. Key features, such as the once-free barcode scanner, have been moved behind a paywall. What remains of the free version is often plagued by intrusive advertisements that disrupt the logging process and frustrate users. In addition, many users have reported consistent and long-standing bugs, integration issues with fitness trackers like Fitbit, and a cluttered, outdated user interface. The aggressive push to upgrade, coupled with a buggy and ad-filled basic experience, has driven many long-term users away.
Significant Security and Privacy Concerns
In early 2018, MyFitnessPal disclosed a major data breach that affected approximately 150 million users. The exposed data included usernames, email addresses, and hashed passwords, which were later found for sale on the dark web. While the company took measures to notify users and bolster security, the incident highlighted significant vulnerabilities in how the app handles sensitive user data. Privacy advocates have also noted that beyond breaches, the app's own data practices are concerning. MyFitnessPal's privacy policy suggests it may combine user data with third-party sources for marketing and advertising purposes. Users, in turn, are trading their personal health and diet information for the app's services, which, given its other flaws, feels like a poor value proposition to many.
Comparison Table: MyFitnessPal vs. Modern Alternatives
| Feature | MyFitnessPal (Free/Premium) | Cronometer (Free/Gold) | MacroFactor (Premium Only) | Lose It! (Free/Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Database Accuracy | Mixed; extensive but relies heavily on unverified user submissions. | High; uses official food databases like USDA and certified lab data. | High; uses verified food data and adapts to your body's metabolism. | High; large database with barcode scanner. |
| Micronutrient Tracking | Limited in the free version. | Excellent; tracks 84 different nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. | Focuses on macronutrients. | Limited in the free version. |
| Algorithm | Static; relies on standard formulas and overestimates exercise burns. | Precise; provides detailed micronutrient analysis. | Dynamic; calculates your actual daily energy expenditure. | Standard formula-based tracking. |
| User Experience | Can be cluttered with intrusive ads in the free version; dated UI. | Clean interface; free version is generous with features. | Modern, data-focused, and highly intuitive UI. | User-friendly and focused on simplicity. |
| Potential for Obsession | High; strong emphasis on daily streaks and rigid targets can be unhealthy. | Low; emphasizes data over streaks. | Low; adaptive algorithm removes the need for obsessive tracking. | Low; focuses on long-term habit building. |
| Privacy | Significant past data breach; uses data for marketing purposes. | Strong reputation for privacy; adheres to stricter standards. | Strong focus on privacy, with data remaining secure and unused for advertising. | Generally good, with clear policies. |
Conclusion: Looking Beyond the Legacy App
While MyFitnessPal was once a groundbreaking tool for calorie counting, its numerous issues have led many users to seek better alternatives. The unreliability of its user-generated food database, the potential for fostering unhealthy eating patterns, and a deteriorating user experience bogged down by ads and paywalls all contribute to its poor reputation. For those concerned about their data, the 2018 breach serves as a persistent reminder of its security vulnerabilities. Fortunately, modern alternatives like Cronometer, MacroFactor, and Lose It! offer more accurate data, a cleaner user experience, and a healthier relationship with food and fitness. The reasons why MyFitnessPal is so bad are abundant, and for many, it's time to find a tracking method that prioritizes accuracy, mental health, and user privacy over intrusive monetization.
For a deeper look into the psychological pitfalls of calorie counting, including the specific issues with MyFitnessPal, a nutrition and dietetics perspective provides valuable insight. Rachael Hartley Nutrition offers a compelling argument for moving toward intuitive eating.
Note: The content references research and user feedback, indicating that MyFitnessPal's performance and impact vary widely among individuals. The best choice of app depends on personal goals, dietary knowledge, and sensitivity to the app's downsides.
Known Issues and Workarounds
Despite the problems, millions still use MyFitnessPal. Users facing syncing issues or other technical difficulties can often find solutions on the MyFitnessPal support pages. Many issues, such as problems with syncing with devices like Fitbit or Apple Health, are acknowledged and sometimes fixed in app updates. The company also offers a specific tool to reset inaccurate daily login streaks. These troubleshooting steps can alleviate some of the technical pain points, but they don't address the core issues of data quality and monetization that frustrate many dedicated users.
