3 Food Tracking Apps Reviewed | Which App Is Best For Calorie and Macro Tracking?

With the emergence of a calorie and macro tracking as a popular and increasingly viable nutrition approach, food tracking apps have been all the buzz in recent years.

There are apps for pretty much everything these days so it is no surprise when you search “calorie tracker” or “food tracker”, the options are both plentiful and inevitably overwhelming.

So which food tracking app should you use?
Is there one calorie tracker which is better than the others?
Who are the big players in this game and how do they compare?

In this blog, I review 3 of the most popular food tracking apps that I also personally have some level of experience with using and/or helping my clients leverage for their calorie counting needs - from fat loss to muscle building goals alike. 

App #1: My Fitness Pal

My Fitness Pal (MFP) is considered by many as the OG of calorie counting apps. Whether or not MFP is the first app to do it is irrelevant as it is the first one that did it at a high level of execution and is the one we most often associate with “food tracking”.

I personally use MFP for myself and most of my clients so it is in fact the one I am most familiar with. For this reason, I can safely say that I know what is good about it and what is lacking (and found wanting). 

The best thing about MFP is that you can trust that the app will be maintained and any glitches ironed out to ensure that your user experience is consistent. In addition, the app is intuitive and easy to use with a very straightforward interface (albeit not as “fun” as some of it’s competitors. 

When in doubt, in MFP you can trust…mostly. In recent times, there has been some strange corporate moves being made that saw users in some countries losing access to previously free features behind a paywall (luckily not Australia)- specifically the scanner become a paid feature for some (though I am unsure if this has been ceased at time of writing this). 

Breakdown:

Cost: Free-mium (premium subscription starts at $30 AUD p/m)

What I Like:

• Comprehensive tracking features (from food to water to activity)
• Reliable, proven database 
• Intuitive, easy to navigate interface
• Access to recipe database

What I Don’t Like:

• Pushy for their premium offering
• Recent paywall for features such as the scanner (not all countries)
• Inaccurate food entries due to years of user generated data

Download Here: Google Play // Apple 

App#2: CronometeR

When you aren’t using My Fitness Pal, you are probably downloading Cronometer and using it instead. The app does food tracking and it does it well. In fact, there can be an argument made that Cronometer is better than MFP due to it’s user experience and less “corporate” feel.

Cronometer is a fun, interactive app and is definitely not lacking in features for most users out there. You won’t be making a mistake by choosing this app as your trusty sidekick in the battle against calorie and macro confusion. Cronometer? You can’t go wrong. 

My main gripe with the app is the interference of popup ads when you are using it which can get annoying quickly. Also, the app looks pretty enough but the information it displays as a focal point can be potentially overwhelming for some new users trying to wet their toes.

All in all, I quite like this app and it was the one I started experimenting more with once I heard the moves MFP was making, in preparation of switching my clients to Cronometer (hasn’t had to happen…yet). 

Breakdown:

Cost: Free-mium (premium subscription starts at $14 AUD p/m)

What I Like:

• Fun, interactive interface and user experience
• Full control over your macro targets
• Reliable food database (including free scanner for all)
• New streak widget (habit building)

What I Don’t Like:

• Pop-up ads can be disrupting and annoying
• Lack of recipe database
• Information layout and reports can be overwhelming for new people

Download Here: Google Play // Apple 

App #3: Calorie Counter by Lose It! ​

The Calorie Counter by Lose It! App (or as it is often referred to: the Lose It! App), is most definitely the one app out of these 3 that I am least familiar with. However, I have been playing around with it in recent times to get a feel of it in case a client happens to use it.

The user experience is similar in feel and look (aka it has a fun feel to it) to Cronometer but there are less features for the free version and the interface is less intuitive. Compared to My Fitness Pal, it feels like it’s less comprehensive despite having all the basic functionalities you can expect from a calorie tracking app. 

My biggest issue and concern with the app (though I do get why they do it and you can argue this is a non-issue), is that the app is very overtly and clearly focussed on fat loss. As a Dietitian who has worked in the space for 7+ years, I can tell you that a sheer focus on weight loss as a measure of success can have it’s flaws for certain people. 

Unlike the other two apps which are ‘goal-flexible’, Lose It! (as the name clearly suggests) is only about that weight loss action. Okay for some, an issue for others- just worth a mention for consideration.

Breakdown:

Cost: Free-mium (premium subscription starts at $2.30 AUD p/m)

What I Like:

• Simple interface and easy enough to navigate
• Groups Feature: forum for community support
• Health blog access for extra learning 

What I Don’t Like:

• Basic tracking features behind paywall (eg water intake tracking)
• Fat Loss focus only 
• Food tracking interface not as intuitve/straight forward as the others

Download Here: Google Play // Apple 

RECAP

There you go! I have now shared 3 food tracking apps with you and deep dived into the pros and cons of each so you can make a more informed decision.

My personal favourite and preferred app is My Fitness Pal - though in no small way due to familiarity and habit. This does not mean that I don’t recognise that Cronometer is right up there and could even be considered better in some ways. 

Any one of MFP or Cronometer is a solid choice for you if you want to level up your calorie and macro tracking game. Lose It! Is also a solid choice if you only want to focus on fat loss but keep in mind the limitations in some features and the lack of “pedigree” in terms of app status. 

I definitely recommend one of the first 2 apps if you want my blunt opinion. Just weigh up the breakdowns above and have a go at using each to get a feel (apps, like diets, will suit people differently). 

So which one will you choose (or are using)? Let me know in the comment section below. 

Also, I do always like to ask…

Do you feel you need expert guidance when it comes to your fuelling, recovery, and nourishment?
Not seeing the body you feel happier, healthier, and more confident in?
Performance lagging like an early 2000’s dial up internet setup?

I may be able to be of assistance. 

If you are ready to take your nutrition and body to the next level and elevate your performance in a way that doesn’t make you want to punch your Sports Dietitian, then let’s chat.

I have developed a bespoke nutrition coaching solution that allows you to work with me personally 1:1 to help start bridging the gap between where you are now and where you want to be with your physique & performance. 

In this program, I'll personally coach you using my flexible nutrition system to help you harness the power of calories and macro strategy to regain your competitive edge - think of it as a bespoke nutrition solution that empowers you to eat better to achieve better. 

Interested in learning more? 

Simply email me at: aleksa@theclimbingdietitian.com.au to have a chat about this and see if we are a good fit to work together and get you your best results yet. 

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Coach Aleksa 

Brisbane Sports Dietitian & Nutritionist