Just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes so looking for help tracking those hidden sugars especially when out and about. I was told that myfitnesspal was a great aid for type 1 diabetics who are carb counting so I thought I'd check it out.

I entered my food & exercise for yesterday and thought nothing more about it but have just gone in again and spotted that the banana has zero sugar content !?! ok, I thought maybe it's only tracking added sugars not naturally occurring sugars but the medjool dates I had listed did show a figure for sugars. Scanning some of the message boards revealed that some database entries are submitted by the myfitnesspal community who may only enter the calories. My suggestion is therefore that you distinguish between a true zero sugar content and an unknown sugar content (or indeed any other nutritional items).

Following on from this I also spotted a number of comments that people were struggling to keep within the given goal for sugar. I understand how goals for calories are set but can you confirm how the goals for sugar, carbs, protein, fat, sat fat are determined. Maybe these should be editable fields to allow those with specific nutritional needs/intolerances to customise the breakdown according to their personal circumstances?

My Home > Goals > Custom

Thanks for the pointer. I know I asked for it but now I see what it entails, it looks v.scary. Perhaps I'll stick with the default display.

A couple more examples I've come across where I know there should be sugars but the information probably wasn't available or known to the submitter and so could be misleading to diabetics:

Greggs - Ham and Coleslaw Bagette, 1 Bagette
Emma Giordani - Spinach & Ricotta Tortelloni
Costa Coffee - Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie
Costa - Chocolate Brownie
Costa Coffee - Chocolate Cookie Biscuits
Costa - Chocolate Cherry Slice

(yes I love chocolate!)