Macro Diet Apps

Counting your macros is an essential part of following a macro diet. If you are new to macros, then start at the beginner’s guide, or check your target macros with our calculator.

Tracking macros can be done either by following a pre-prepared meal plan, or by using a spreadsheet or app to track on the fly. Here are some of the best apps we’ve found.

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal (MFP) is a hugely popular app, owned by apparel company Under Armor. With a food database of 5 million items, it is the most popular system for tracking food intake.

We have a basic tutorial on using MFP here, and an extensive guide comes with our program: The Macro Solution.

For macro counters: If you sign up to the premium subscription, you can set your own macro targets (greatly beneficial for a macro diet).

MyFitnessPal is free to download. The premium edition has an extensive set of features for a macro diet (such as setting goals by gram or percentage, and allowing different macro targets for sedentary and workout days).

Download it:
iOS Android Web

MyPlate

Myplate comes from the Livestrong foundation. It is essentially a food tracker (2 million food database), with extra mutual support tools built in.

For macro counters: The daily view shows a breakdown of macros (both grams and percentages) – allowing you to monitor your food until you reach the desired target.

Myplate is free to download. The gold edition costs a monthly subscription fee, and will give you: an ad-free experience, private support groups, advanced stats, and priority support.

Download it:
iOS Android Web

MyMacros+

MyMacros is one of the few food tracking apps focused specifically on macro counting. See our tutorial on MyMacros here.

For macro counters: Focused on counting macros, where you can set macros for both exercise and non-exercise days.

MyMacros is $2.99 to download. There is also a premium subscription that allows you to access your data from anywhere (desktop, laptop, etc).

Download it:
iOS Android Web

Lose It!

Lose It! is a calorie tracker (been around for 10 years). One of their latest features is integration with EmbodyDNA (for $190 DNA can be tested and integrated with the tracker for personalized insights).

For macro counters: The premium subscription allows you to set specific macro goals.

Lose It! is free to download. The premium subscription allows a broader set of things you can track, along with more integration with fitness trackers.

Download it:
iOS Android Web

Lifesum

Lifesum is a broader health app offering suggested diet plans, along with recipes and other features.


For macro counters: The home screen shows your daily macro counts, and it is possible to set a manual macro target.

Lifesum is free to download. As in other apps, the premium subscription is the only way to access more useful features (recipes, macro tracking).

Download it:
iOS Android Web

Which one do I use?

  • MyFitnessPal is popular, but can take time to setup.
  • MyPlate and Lose It! have much nicer designs (but will requires premium subs to unlock macro features).
  • MyMacros allows fine-grained controls (suitable for more of an advanced user).
  • Do consider subscribing to premium
     (most are between $40-$45 per year). You have a better chance of using the thing if you pay for a subscription, and in many of the apps only unlock certain features.
  • Bigger food databases doesn’t always mean better
     Lots of the entries are user-submitted can have errors, or make some foods more difficult to find. Example below: A search for Starbucks on myfooddiary (left) and myfitnesspal (right).
If you’re serious about a macro diet, take a look at our program – The Macro Solution, which comes with extensive how-to guidance on using the best apps.

You'll Love Our Macro Solution Program

Step-by-step ebooks, or fully customized personal macros coaching. Now with complete vegan edition.

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