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How to Use a Calorie Counter App

Use a calorie counter app to log what you eat and see how many calories and nutrients you consume each day.

Steps

  1. 1

    Download a calorie counter app

    like MyFitnessPal, Lose It, or Cronometer from your phone's app store.

  2. 2

    Create an account

    and set your goals. Enter your height, weight, age, and whether you want to lose, maintain, or gain weight.

  3. 3

    Log your first meal

    by typing the food name in the search bar. The app will show calorie counts for different serving sizes.

  4. 4

    Scan barcodes on packaged foods

    by tapping the barcode icon. The app looks up the nutrition info from its database.

  5. 5

    Check your daily summary

    at the end of the day. The app shows total calories, protein, carbs, and fat for everything you logged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MyFitnessPal free to use?Show
Yes, MyFitnessPal has a free version with a large food database. The paid version removes ads and adds extra features.
Can I track water intake in a calorie counter?Show
Yes, most calorie counter apps let you log glasses of water alongside your food and drink entries.
How accurate are the calorie counts in these apps?Show
The data comes from user submissions and the USDA. Packaged food scans tend to be the most accurate entries.
Can I share my food diary with my doctor?Show
Yes, most apps let you export your food log as a PDF or CSV file that you can email or print.

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Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated .