As a registered dietitian who uses MyFitnessPal frequently – for my own tracking and with my clients – I’ve seen how time constraints can make consistent logging challenging. But MyFitnessPal’s new voice logging feature really simplifies the process, making it quicker and easier for busy users.
For example, I used the feature to track my typical breakfast: two scrambled eggs, a slice of whole-wheat toast, chicken sausage and avocado, with a cup of coffee.
Speaking it into the app and checking it only takes about 15 seconds– a time frame that even the busiest people can manage!
Read on to learn more about MyFitnessPal’s new voice logging feature and how you can get started as quickly as possible.
What is the voice logging feature?
Voice logging is a premium feature and new to the MyFitnessPal app. Not a premium member? No problem! Try Premium free for 30 days.
The feature makes it easy to log multiple foods, meals, and portion sizes. Instead of manually typing and searching for items, all you need is your voice (and a few taps).
See the magic in action:
Step-by-step guide: How to log meals using the voice logging feature
If you are a free membersee if you qualify for a free 30-day Premium membership to try out (and get access to) the new voice logging feature. Barcode scan, Food scanAnd more!)
If you are already testing it or are a premium memberYou are ready for it Start using the voice logging feature! Just follow these steps:
- Step 1: Open the MyFitnessPal app.
- Step 2: Tap the Add (+) button in the bottom navigation bar of the app.
- Step 3: Select the “Voice Log” option.
- Step 4: The first time you use the feature, you must grant MyFitnessPal access to your microphone and grant MyFitnessPal permissions to access the voice recognition feature.
- Step 5: When you see the gray arrow, start describing the meal (or meals!) you want to log. The more details, the better! Include brand names, portion size descriptions, and the meal for which the items will be logged (breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks). You will know that the app is it Hear when the arrow turns blue.
- Step 6: When you’re finished describing your meal(s), tap the blue arrow.
- Step 7: The best matching items are automatically populated. From here, you can delete an entry, tap Try Again, or tap Post entries and/or meals in your diary.
Benefits of using voice logging for tracking
The voice logging feature provides several benefits for meal tracking in MyFitnessPal:
- Makes it easier to estimate portion sizes: It’s hard to know how much food you’ve eaten in ounces, grams, or other units of measurement. Now describe your portions with your hand. For example: “I ate a portion of chicken for lunch that was the size of my fist.” Or “I had a handful of blueberries as a snack.” (See our handy portion size guide below!)
- Saves you time: Voice logging eliminates the need to type food into search, making tracking your meals and snacks quicker and easier. You can also log multiple foods at once by describing your meal out loud. Even better, you can log multiple meals at once! At the end of the day, you open your app, tap Voice Log in the logging menu, and describe your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Review it, revise it if necessary and log it!
- Allows you to log in on the go: Multitasking? No problem. This feature is perfect for ensuring you log your food even if you only have a few seconds.
- Can improve consistency: Finding a way to log food that can easily fit into your routine will help you stay consistent. And if you stay true to your health habits, you’ll have a better chance of achieving your goals.
FAQs about voice logging in MyFitnessPal
You can log the available food and drinks in the MyFitnessPal database (one of the largest). Weight, workouts, and custom foods and recipes cannot currently be logged using voice commands. Water can be logged, but only as part of your breakfast, lunch or dinner, or as a snack.
It works best if you describe what you ate (or drank), how large the portion was, and at what meal you ate (or drank) it. For example: “I had a cup of plain Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, a handful of blueberries, and a small cup of coffee for breakfast.”
Voice logging is available on iOS and Android devices, but updates may be required for full compatibility with all models. To ensure you are using the most current version of the app, visit the App Store.
No, the MyFitnesspal voice logging feature requires an internet connection to process voice commands.
Currently, the voice logging feature is only available in English and availability is limited to the US market.
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