Are you looking for the best apps for tracking calories and macros? If so, we’ve got you covered.
There are a lot of apps out there that help you track your diet and fitness goals, but it can be difficult to know which ones will actually help you reach your goals. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the top 5 apps for tracking calories and macros!
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Best Apps For Tracking Calories And Macros
Also known as IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) or flexible dieting, counting macros is a way of eating that has become popular among fitness buffs and health-conscious eaters who are trying to maintain certain wellness goals.
Instead of counting calories, you focus on getting a certain number (typically grams) of macronutrients—protein, carbohydrates, and fat. “Counting macros is the ‘next level’ version of counting calories because not only are you tracking the food you eat, but the specific types of nutrients you’re taking in, too,” says DJ Blatner, R.D.N., author of The Superfood Swap.
Focusing on nutrients (as opposed to calories) gives you more flexibility, allowing you to build meals out of what you enjoy eating instead of following a list of “allowed foods,” which can feel rigid to some people, says Emily Field, M.S., R.D., a dietitian and nutrition coach who specializes in a macro-based eating approach.
“By learning how to eat to your unique needs, you gain a basic understanding of nutrition and learn how particular foods impact the way you feel,” Field explains. “This is important because not all calories are created equal—300 calories from protein does different things for your body than 300 calories from carbohydrates.”
The number of macronutrients you need varies by individual and is based on things like height and current weight, as well as your health goals, such as whether you’re trying to lose weight, build muscle, or improve a specific marker such as heart health.
To figure out your ideal “macro prescription,” try using a macro calculator like this one from freedieting.com. Then, download one of the macro tracking apps below, which will give you a breakdown of the grams of carbs, protein, and fats you’re eating.
Intimidated? Don’t be! The key is to jump in and start learning. “I cannot stress this enough: Just start!” says Field. Here are some of the best macro tracking apps to help you reach your goals.
1
Cronometer
best macro tracking apps
CRONOMETER
Free | iOS and Android
In addition to tracking macros, this app also helps you keep track of your health goals, logs your exercise, and syncs with a variety of activity trackers. “This one is my favorite, and it’s the most recommended,” says Field.
2
FoodNoms
best macro tracking apps
FOODNOMS
Free | iOS
“This is a new-ish player in the space, but it seems to be well designed for tracking macros,” says Marisa Moore, R.D.N., a registered dietitian nutritionist in Atlanta. Besides logging your food intake and counting macros, this app also allows you to scan barcodes of packaged products and gives you information about how the food you eat is benefiting you.
3
MyFitnessPal
best macro tracking apps
MYFITNESSPAL
Free | iOS and Android
MyFitnessPal is one of the most well-known food tracking apps, and it’s popular for good reason. It has a feature to track macros and a huge database of fresh and packaged foods.
4
FatSecret
best macro tracking apps
FATSECRET
Free | iOS and Android
This app allows you to track macros and gives you access to a support community of other app users who are working hard on health goals of their own.
5
MyPlate
best macro tracking apps
MYPLATE
Free | iOS and Android
Need new recipe ideas? This app features an in-app recipe library. Plus, you can track by macronutrient or meal and view a daily macronutrient snapshot to help monitor your progress.
6
Nutritionix
best macro tracking apps
NUTRITIONIX
Free | iOS and Android
If you like to eat out (or order in!), this app’s for you. It houses data from thousands of restaurants and also contains information about a huge number of packaged grocery items.
7
My Macros+
best macro tracking apps
MY MACROS+
$2.99 | iOS and Android
This app offers lots of versatility: Set and track your macro goals by either gram or percentage of total calories, and view your data by day or meal. For an additional fee you also gain access to Macro Coach (there’s a 14-day free trial), which provides personalized guidance and nutrient analysis to help you achieve your goals.
best macro tracking app bodybuilding
The popular “If it Fits Your Macros (or IIFYM) Diet” relies on counting macros, or the proteins, carbs, and fat in food. The idea is that sticking to this will help you lose weight or build muscle, whichever is your goal.
You’ll need to calculate the macros for your personal needs, depending on goals and weight. Then, you’ll have to rely on a good tracker to follow the plan.
Here are six that make following this specific lifestyle easy.
1
MyPlate
MyPlate Macro App
MELISSA MATTHEWS
Start by answering a few questions, and MyPlate offers calorie recommendations to help you achieve your weight goals. From the main screen it’s easy to track breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The macros for each food are listed, plus you’ll see the breakdown of how many carbohydrates, fat, and protein you’ve eaten in a day at the top of the app.
(free for iOS and Android, itunes.com and play.google.com)
2
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal
MYFITNESSPAL
MyFitnessPal has a large database of more than 1 million foods with the calories, macros, and other nutrients list. In the free version, you can look at how many proteins, carbs, and fats, you’ve eaten for the day, but shelling out for the premium version allows you to set a target for each macro. This will give you a countdown to clearly see if you’re getting close to eating too many carbs. You can also set weight loss goals based on your current weight, how much you want to lose, and your current exercise level.
(free for iOS and Android, itunes.com and play.google.com)
3
MyMacros+
MyMacros Food Tracking App
MYMACROS
Created by bodybuilder and powerlifter Jason Loewry, this app is made for people who are seriously dedicated to the “If it Fits Your Macros” lifestyle. The app includes a macros countdown at the top to ensure you stay within your goals, body weight tracking, and a database with more than 1.5 million foods. Unlike the previous apps, which have a free version, MyMacros will cost you $2.99 and $1.99 each month for the premium version. There’s even a macro coach feature, for an additional cost, that determines your specific macros based on goals.
(starts at $1.99 for iOS, itunes.com)
4
Lose It!
lose it macro app
LOSE IT!
As with the other apps, the free version of Lose It! allows you to log meals and view macros consumed under the “nutrients tab.” But if you upgrade to premium, the app offers so much more, like meal plans, exercise routines, and shopping lists.
(free for iOS, itunes.com or $29.99 per year for the premium version)
5
Carb Manager
carb manager
CARB MANAGER
If you jumped on the keto train, then Carb Manager might be the app for you. The company boasts a database of more than a million foods, so it’s easy to find specific items. There’s even 350,000 low-carb recipes for when you’re bored of eating the same plate of broccoli and steak. As with most food tracking apps, you can monitor body measurements, weight and exercise. Free to track, but premium services cost $39.99 annually.
Available on itunes and Google Play.
6
Lifesum
lifesum health tracker
LIFESUM
What sets Lifesum apart from other diet trackers is its appealing interface. One reviewer called this app gorgeous. In addition to counting macros, you can read articles about nutrition and find new recipes.
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