The My Fitness Pal (MFP) app is amazing for tracking your macros/calories. However, because users have the ability to add foods themselves, search results can often have errors (see above image). If you’ve ever used MFP you have have come across those pesky food items with macros that seem too good to be true or have 0 grams of fat, protein, and carbs but have a caloric value. How? The calories of foods are related to the macronutrient break down of foods.
1 gram of protein = 4 calories
1 gram of carbs = 4 calories
1 gram of fat = 9 calories
While small errors here and there, such as not counting the protein in the above avocado isn’t going to make or break your progress, small errors on a consistent basis can definitely add up and have the potential to affect your progress.
Some strategies I use include:
1. when possible scan the bar code on foods
2. double/triple check results on the internet and make a mental note for future uses (highest in fat?/protein?/carbs?)
3. Look over the macros break down of the food you’ve searched on the app- most foods contain protein/fat and carb macros
4. Double check the servings size (1 cup, grams, oz.,etc)
5. Remember that slight variations are natural as different brands contain different ingredients
6. Look at and compare different options of the same food (see photo above) on my fitness pal, DON’T just choose the first result that pops up as it may not be accurate.