What is a good macro tracking app that has a large database and bar code scanner?
Myfitnesspal seems to have the largest database in terms of barcode scans being successfully directed to a food, but entries are sometimes wrong because moderation is a bit iffy. Seems to be the most popular food tracking app.
Cronometer has far more reliable data, with sources on the information shown to you e.g. nccdb, usda. But you’ll get “barcode not found” type issues more often, after which you can choose to search for a similar food or enter the information manually based on the food label. Cronometer also gives a better breakdown of micronutrients e.g. vitamins, amino acid profiles of protein sources.
I prefer cronometer personally. Would recommend.
Note I haven’t tried any other food tracking apps.
I’ve been using “MyPlate” free version and it’s been fine. Don’t overthink it; choose one and just roll with it. As long as it’s consistent, it’s fine.
Hi there!
i personally like Fit Genie. You don’t have to pay to input your specific macro targets (the free MyFitnessPal) rounds to the nearest percentage. It has a good database a D scanner. It was developed with Eric Helms.
I know you asked for an app but I’ve disliked every app I tried because:
- It’s harder to adjust multiple values simultaneously. For example, if I’m going to have chicken, eggs, cheese, tomato, peppers, and onion with oatmeal for breakfast, I’ll have an idea of where I want to be approximately macro wise at the end. In a spreadsheet it’s easy for me to add 50 grams here, subtract it there to get the numbers I’m looking for. Likewise when planning dinner or if I can squeeze a couple beers in it makes it much easier.
- It’s harder to see history
- When I make something for the first time, I’m going to have to use something else (like Google Sheets) to calculate the macros anyway
- I kept making mistakes like cooked/not cooked/oil/no oil/etc.
I use Google sheets to track. I set up a source sheet that has the weight, calories, fat, protein, fiber of a food. Then I just enter each in on a row and it does a lookup on the source sheet for the ingredient/meal and calculates for me. Here is today (part eaten, part planned, yes, I eat a lot of cereal :P):
I am going with Myfitnesspal premium. I have used Cronometer for years and like all the vitamin and mineral data but it just does not find the foods and restaurants the Myfitnesspal does. And I am just focused on macros for now.
Make sure to track saturated fat and fiber too. Good luck