Sleep Cycle: Sleep Tracker
Health & Fitness
App Name | MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter |
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Latest Version | v.23.23.0 |
Last Updated | Nov 14, 2023 |
Publisher | MyFitnessPal Inc |
Category | Health & Fitness |
Size | 80 MB |
Mods | Premium Unlocked |
Google Playstore |
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Some key features of MyFitnessPal on Android include:
In this detailed review, we will cover MyFitnessPal’s main features and functionality, pros and cons, accuracy of the food database, ease of use, and how it compares to competitors.
MyFitnessPal makes it easy to log the food you eat with an extensive database of over 6 million items, including foods from popular restaurants and brands. You can search for foods or scan barcodes to quickly add calories and nutrients to your daily log.
The app breaks down calories into macronutrients including protein, carbs, fat, sugar, and fiber. A pie chart shows the nutritional breakdown of each food. You can also track micronutrients like vitamins and minerals with the paid version.
When adding foods, you can adjust serving sizes if you didn’t eat the full amount. The app remembers frequently logged foods and meals for quick addition. You can also create custom foods and recipes if an item is missing.
Overall, food logging is straightforward and the huge database makes tracking easy and convenient.
In addition to food, MyFitnessPal allows you to log various exercises to track calories burned. You can enter the duration of hundreds of different cardiovascular, strength training, and sports activities. The app uses your weight and intensity level to estimate calories burned.
Popular wearables and fitness trackers like Fitbit sync directly with MyFitnessPal to pull in exercise data. The app also integrates with apps like MapMyRun and Strava. This automation makes exercise tracking seamless.
While exercise logging is simple, the calorie burn estimates aren’t always accurate. More on this later in the review.
MyFitnessPal makes it easy to track your weight over time. You simply enter your current weight each day, and the app creates a graph showing your progress.
You can also log measurements like waist, chest, hips, neck, etc. The app will calculate your body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI) based on the measurements you provide.
One aspect that sets MyFitnessPal apart is the social community. You can add friends on the app to view their diaries and offer support and accountability.
The app also has user forums called MyFitnessPal Teams where you can join groups focused on specific health goals, diets, activities, and more. You can post questions and engage with a community of supportive users.
A major benefit of MyFitnessPal is seamless access across devices. You can log food and exercise on your Android phone on-the-go, then access all the data via the website or iPad app. Your profile and history sync between platforms.
The app also integrates with Google Fit to share data between the two apps. MyFitnessPal syncs with wearables like Fitbit as well.
While MyFitnessPal offers a lot of value, especially for free, there are some drawbacks to consider.
The main downside is inaccurate or incomplete nutrition data for some foods, especially user-generated entries. Serving sizes may also be incorrect. Confirming accuracy is important.
Calorie burn estimates for exercise tend to be overestimated. Take these estimates with a grain of salt.
The free version lacks some detailed nutrition data like macronutrient goals and vitamin tracking. The ads and limited features can also be annoying.
Some users report bugs causing apps crashes as well, though this isn’t widespread.
The accuracy of MyFitnessPal’s food database is a common concern, especially compared to paid competitors like Lose It. With a free crowdsourced database, inaccurate entries are inevitable.
However, MyFitnessPal takes steps to improve accuracy:
Despite these efforts, you will still come across questionable entries, so double checking nutrient data against the label or other sources is good practice. Most foods have multiple entries, so look for verified ones when possible.
The database is also less comprehensive outside the US, with some missing international foods.
For exercise, the calorie burn estimates are rough approximations at best. The estimates for strength training and high intensity workouts tend to be overestimated.
MyFitnessPal offers a user-friendly experience that makes calorie and nutrient tracking simple and convenient. Here are some examples:
The app strikes a good balance between comprehensive tracking and quick, hassle-free logging for your daily habits. With some customization for your frequent foods, logging becomes second nature.
While fairly intuitive, first-time users may need some time to learn the ropes of navigating the app and utilizing all the features. But MyFitnessPal does a good job guiding users through the process.
MyFitnessPal offers a premium subscription that unlocks additional features like:
The premium version costs $9.99 per month, $49.99 per year, or a one-time fee of $199.99 for a lifetime subscription.
Is it worth it? The extra nutrition data can provide valuable insights for some users. But for basic calorie and macronutrient tracking, the free version is sufficient for most people.
MyFitnessPal was one of the first food tracking apps, but now faces stiff competition, especially from newer apps like Lose It. Here’s how MyFitnessPal compares:
Lose It
Cronometer
FatSecret
While apps like Lose It improve upon MyFitnessPal in some regards, none match its huge food database and vibrant community. MyFitnessPal remains the most comprehensive option.
MyFitnessPal is the undisputed leader in calorie counting apps, offering an unparalleled amount of food data, exercise tracking, and community features to help you meet your diet and fitness goals.
Minor flaws like inaccurate data exist, but are easy to overcome with a bit of extra verification. The free version provides robust tracking at no cost, with the premium offering extras for dedicated users.
If you’re looking to get started with counting calories or want a detailed log of your diet and exercise habits, MyFitnessPal is likely the best app for the job. The simple tracking paired with data insights provides ample value.
While not perfect, MyFitnessPal is a 5-star app that lives up to its popularity and delivers results. It takes the tedious task of calorie counting and makes it more accessible, interactive, and rewarding.
Health & Fitness
Health & Fitness
Health & Fitness
Health & Fitness
Health & Fitness
Health & Fitness