Favourite calorie counting app?

[PopGoesTheWeaz]

I need get in shape again and loose about 2 stone (I'd be thrilled with even 1/1.5.)

January I focused on running as the "in shape" bit as really that's my main priority. I knew if I started both at once I'd fail at both. I want to ease into the weight loss by calorie counting with an app.

I remember a few years ago when I tried my fitness pal I didn't love it. I can't remember why - maybe there were too many options or sizes were US sizes rather than UK?

What Android apps do people rate for this now-a-days?

[amusedbush]

I've used MFP but I hate that any Tom, Dick or Harry can add an item and there's no way of checking which numbers are correct unless you have a packet in front of you.

I like Nutracheck. It's £3.99 a month for the app but it's UK based, there are photos of every item so you know it's the right one and there are staff maintaining the database so you can trust the values.

I sound like an advert for it but I promise I don't work for them! I'm just a happy app user!

[PopGoesTheWeaz]

Thanks everyone. I'll have another look at MFP and lose it and see how I get on. I may try out 5/2 so only two meals a week ot calorie count, shouldnt be too onerous.

[Movablefeast]

I track my macros and make sure I get enough protein every day which is a doddle in MFP as they have a pie chart showing you all your macros plus a ton of other nutritional information. It shows you very clearly if you are eating too much sugar for example and sends you a warning. Also sends a warning if you are undereating or not eating healthily in various ways.

[Movablefeast]

Love MyFitnessPal it builds a databank of everything you eat so has a list of favorites, but also when searching for a food I haven't entered before it is almost always in their database. Just lost 7+ I gained in Oct/Nov when my ds was sick and tracking with MFP was very motivating. I find it very easy and simple to use.

Love it.

[Truthspkr]

I don' t dispute keeping eg a food diary can help, being too obsessed with the calories in those meals can' t. The simpler something is, the more chance you' ll stick to it and most of us fit into that category.
One of the reasons I mention this is because a lot of vitamins are fat soluble, also you need some fat for healthy brain function, hormone production etc. As such calorie counting can help but only up to a point. As I mentioned in my previous post, balance and variation is the key which goes for your type of activity as well as your diet.
Also the old cliche of liking yourself for who you are is also important otherwise nothing you do will work long term as well as doing this for yourself and not for someone else. Where you' re concerned there' s no one more important than you.
Take care and look after yourself.

[robyn65]

I'm trying Lose it after seeing it on How to Lose Weight Well. I've been using my fitness pal for years but the advertising has got really annoying. I like Lose it so far.

[Bravenew]

@truthspkr most people will way underestimate the amount they eat though. Using my fitness pal really shows what level you need to aim for to start losing weight.

@DianaT1969 I've used mfp for a long time and I never enter all our cooked from scratch meals by ingredient. I just pick something fairly close to enter e.g. A curry. If we make a pizza you can separate out the dough, sauce and cheese/toppings easily enough.

In my experience unless your portion sizes are massive the easiest calorie reduction comes from having fewer or lower calorie snacks. I eat more fruit now than I did.

Also bread is fairly calories dense, so if you have sandwiches/wraps etc every day they contribute a lot to your total without really filling you up much.

[DianaT1969]

Forgot to say, you don't have to calirie count on low carb or keto eating (thank goodness...). Check out the low carb bootcanp thread.

[DianaT1969]

I don't like my fitness pal ether. Too much work to do setting up your meals on there. I can't understand why people think your food is in there after a few days. I don't eat the same thing each day.

[Canwejustrelaxnow]

Definitely My Fitness Pal. Once you've used it for a few days all your food will be stored. Link it to whatever running app you use or pedometer. Apparently you need a 500 calorie deficit per day to lose a pound a week.

[twohandstwokids]

Definitely MyFitnessPal. I have tried a few. This is the best and easiest to use.

[PoshPenny]

I'm loving my Fitbit and logging everything there, it's really easy to see now how much I was over eating before. I just aim to keep the calories in less than the calories out which it also counts for you and it's working slow but sure.

[Truthspkr]

Try not to get too obsessed with counting calories. Fat contains more calories than sugar for instance but in the last 30 years even though our fat consumption has gone down and as a result our calorie consumption, people are heavier than ever. Also I' m pretty certain that no one would disagree that any more than a little sugar is bad for you. Be careful of hidden sugars such as what you' d get in ready meals for instance. Prepare your own meals as much as possible.
Try to eat as balanced and as varied a diet as you can, it' s the only long term strategy that really works I' m afraid.
There' s only one secret to dieting.