How do I add food to "my foods" list?

Hello,

The "my foods" section was actually designed for foods that can not be found in our database. For example, if you like to eat a special type of bread, and we do not currently have that bread available in the database, you can then go to "create a new food" and add the item in yourself. This new item will then be saved in the "my foods" section for easy reference.

When you create a new food via the app, the item is only saved in your "my foods" list. It is not shared with the main database. However, if you would like to add an item into the database for other members to use as well, you can do so online. Just go to our website at www.myfitnesspal.com. Sign into the members log in area, using the same username and password as you do with the app. Once online go to the "food" tab.

There are labels on that page that say Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and under each category a blue link, "Add Food". Click on the "Add Food" link. At the top of the next page, it should say "search our food database by name" with an empty search field under this message. Type in the food item name directly into this area and hit the green "Search" button.

If the item is not already in our database, there will be a link near the bottom right of the next page that says, "add a food to the database". Click on this link and follow the steps to add the item. When you have finished, make sure you check "Yes" if you would like to let other myfitnesspal members use this food, under the "Help us grow our food database" section. This item will then be saved in your "my foods" list as well as the main database.

The app is also designed to remember your favorite foods automatically. When you add an item to your diary, a generated list of previously used foods should automatically appear. This "favorite foods" list has two setting options. It can appear per meal category, i.e. only "lunch" foods will appear. Or if you like you can set the list to appear for all meal options. To update your preferred settings, go to the menu, then more, then settings. In this section, you should see "show frequent foods for all meals". If you elect to slide it in the on position, your frequent foods list will appear for all meals, in the off position, it will show for only each specific meal category.

We understand that the frequent food list can become long and not so easy to navigate, so if you would like to have the option to have your own tailored list, may we suggest using the "my meals" section. You can save one or several items as a meal. For example, if for breakfast, you have eggs, toast and coffee, you can add all these under breakfast and save it as a meal. The next time you have the same thing, you can add it to any place in your diary directly from your "my meals" list.

Also, if you like, you can save just one item as a meal. In order to create a meal, just add your item(s) to any meal category in your diary, i.e., breakfast. Once you have everything you would like to save, click on the white wrench icon, and save the entry as a meal. The next time you have the same thing, you can just go to "my meals" and add it anywhere in your diary.

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Scott
MyFitnessPal Staff