There are a lot of ways to track your nutrition and macros, but the one we originally began using at Stay Fit Mom—and still recommend—is MyFitnessPal. While it has its quirks, it remains a favorite for its functionality and user-friendliness.

If you’re ready to take your macro counting seriously, here’s how to make the most of MyFitnessPal (MFP), especially if you’re using the premium version.

Why Upgrade to the Paid Version?

If you’re committed to tracking macros, the premium version is worth it. Here’s why:

• It allows you to set exact macro targets by the gram, rather than percentages.
• You’ll gain access to features like meals, nutrient insights, and recipe importing, which save time and improve accuracy.

While the free version is a great place to start, the paid version provides more tools to support long-term success.

Step One: Turn Off Net Carbs

One of the first settings you’ll want to adjust is turning off “net carbs.” We always recommend tracking total carbs.

To do this:

• Go to Home → More → Settings → Diary Settings
• Make sure the “Track Net Carbs” toggle is not highlighted green

Step Two: Disconnect Your Fitness Tracker

MyFitnessPal will automatically adjust your calorie and macro goals based on activity if it’s synced with a fitness tracker.

To keep your numbers consistent:

• Un-sync any fitness tracker
• Trust your assigned macro numbers, not the calories MFP tries to add back in

Step Three: Choose Verified Entries

When logging foods, always look for the green check marks in the food database. These are verified by MFP for accuracy.

Avoid using random entries from other users unless you’ve verified them yourself—they are often incorrect.

Use Grams & Ounces for Precision

Whenever possible, log your food using grams or ounces instead of tablespoons, cups, or “servings.” It’s a small tweak that makes a big difference in accuracy.

Searching Stay Fit Mom Recipes

All Stay Fit Mom recipes are pre-loaded into MyFitnessPal!

To find them easily:

• Start your search with “Stay Fit Mom + recipe name”

Example: “Stay Fit Mom Chicken Parmesan Meatball Bowls”

Share Meals with Your Tracking Partner

If you’re tracking with a friend or partner, you can copy food entries directly from one another’s diaries.

To do this:

• Set your diary to public or share your diary passcode
• They can view your logged meals and select “Copy to My Diary”

How to Track Your Own Recipes

We’ve got a full tutorial for this:
How to Calculate the Macros of a Recipe Using MyFitnessPal

You can also use the recipe importer feature in MFP. Just be sure to double-check that it pulls in the correct ingredients—you can manually swap anything that doesn’t look right.

Always Verify Barcode Scans

Most of the time, barcode scans are accurate—but not always. After scanning:

• Double-check that the nutrition information matches the actual label
• If your macros are perfect but your calories are off by 100+, there’s likely a bad entry somewhere

Stick to One Device for Logging

To avoid glitches, use only one device to track your food. MyFitnessPal doesn’t always sync well across phones, tablets, and laptops.

Pick your device and stick with it.

App Not Working? Try This!

If MFP is acting up:

1. Log out and log back in
2. If that doesn’t help, delete and reinstall the app

These quick resets fix most issues and get you back on track.

Use What Works for You

MyFitnessPal is a great tool, but it’s not the only one. If another app works better for you, go with it! The best tracking app is the one you’ll use consistently.

The key to macro counting success isn’t perfection—it’s consistency, accuracy, and patience.

If you liked this post you might also like:

• Tips for Hitting your Macros + Example in MFP video
• MyFitnessPal: Setting yourself up for Success