MFP tips please

[Lilliput]

I know there is a MFP support thread but looking for tips on how to get the best out of the app.
I cook a lot from fresh which seems tricky with the app.
I'm only on 1300 calories. I'm not looking to lose masses of weight just the winter podge. I'm starving!!!

[dun1urkin]

1. cooking from scratch
   YY, this is sometimes a pita with MFP - if you have a number of 'set pieces' then I'd recommend using the recipes function, go through the pain once but it's there for next time
   
2. 1300 calories
   It always seems to go on the low side! Work out your TDEE, deduct 20-25% and then force the app to 'give' you that number. But don't 'eat back' any exercise calories. Your TDEE accounts for activity levels, and MFP massively overestimates calorie counts for exercise IME

[dun1urkin]

PS I rapidly learnt to eat very carefully so as not to be starving. And don't waste anything by drinking your calories, eat them all

[Lilliput]

I have been quite surprised that it is rewarding me for my usual daily steps.
I am married to a chef who is a 'feeder' which is always hard. I'm rubbish at portion control so MFP makes me weigh stuff at the very least.
I'll look at my TDEE.

[Toffeelatteplease]

Personally I am happy with MFP figures. I set the counter to sedentary, record (on the low side) my exercise. I eat back up to 50% of my exercise calories depending on how hungry I am. It works really well for me.

I don't record recipes (I find my quantities are too variable depending on what is in the fridge on the day) I measure everything (helps to have scales with a tare function). I use the scan function and "copy ingredient to a different day" and "frequently matched food" . I have found over time it is very good at tracking my most common ingredients. (Eg Under snacks if I select "coffee" it pulls up the milk and sugar for me to select at the same time )

I have found portion control a bit of a misnomer. I have the most ginormous portions but nowadays much more of my plate is filled with veg.I often have a pile of rocket and bulk out pasta with cabbage (hairy bikers style). My hungry day staples are Leek and potato soup (about 128 cal), dhal (about 150 cal), (both can be pre made and frozen) and mushroom pasta (300cals very filling and leaves room for a maim meal) (about 100g mushrooms, an onion 100g pasta mustard stockcube and an about 50g of rocket can add chicken breastfeeding for a low cal main meal)

It is well worth reading the forums. They get a bit repetitive but there is lots of fantastic information on there