As a registered dietitian who regularly uses MyFitnessPal – for my own tracking and for my clients – I’ve seen how a lack of time can make consistent logging a challenge. But MyFitnessPal’s new Voice Logging feature greatly simplifies the process, making it faster and easier for busy users.
For example, I use 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 and viewing it in the app only takes about 15 seconds– a time frame that even the busiest people can handle!
Keep reading to learn more about MyFitnessPal’s new Voice Logging feature and how to get started ASAP.
What is the voice recording function?
Voice Logging is a Premium feature and new to the MyFitnessPal app. Not a Premium member? No problem! Try Premium for free for 30 days.
The feature makes logging multiple foods, meals and portion sizes easier. Instead of manually typing and searching for items, all you need is your voice (and a few taps).
Watch the magic in action:
Step-by-step guide: Log meals with the Voice Logging feature
If you are a free membersee if you qualify for a free 30-day Premium membership to try out the new Voice Logging feature (plus get access to Scan barcode, Meal scanAnd more!)
If you already have a trial or are a Premium memberyou are ready start using the voice recording feature! Just follow these steps:
- Step 1: Open the MyFitnessPal app.
- Step 2: Tap the Add (+) button at the bottom of the navigation bar in the app.
- Step 3: Select the “Voice Log” option.
- Step 4: If this is your first time using the feature, you will need to give MyFitnessPal access to your microphone and allow MyFitnessPal to access the speech recognition functionality.
- 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 you want to register the items (breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks). You know the app is listen when the arrow turns blue.
- Step 6: When you have finished describing your meal(s), tap the blue arrow.
- Step 7: Items that match best will be filled in automatically. From here you can choose to delete an item, tap ‘Retry’ or tap ‘Log’ items and/or meals in your diary.
Benefits of using voice recording for tracking
The Voice Logging feature provides several benefits to meal tracking in MyFitnessPal:
- Simplifies portion size estimation: It’s difficult to know how much food you’ve consumed in ounces, grams, or other units of measurement. Now describe your portions with your hand. For example, “I ate a portion of chicken the size of my fist for lunch.” Or “I had a handful of blueberries for a snack.” (See our handy guide to portion sizes below!)
- Saves you time: Voice logging replaces the need to type food into the search, making it faster and easier to track your meals and snacks. You can also record multiple foods at once by describing your meal out loud. Even better: you can register multiple meals at the same time! At the end of the day, open your app, tap Voice Log in the log menu, and write out your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Check, correct if necessary and log!
- This 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 to spare.
- Can promote consistency: Finding a way to commit to foods that fit easily into your routine can help you stay consistent. And if you stay consistent with your health habits, you’ll have a better chance of achieving your goals.
Frequently asked questions about voice registration in MyFitnessPal
You can log the available food and drink items in the MyFitnessPal database (one of the largest). Weight, workouts, and custom foods and recipes cannot currently be recorded via voice commands. You can log water, but only as part of your breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack.
It works best if you describe what you ate (or drank), how large the portion was, and what meal you ate (or drank) it for. 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 may require updates for full compatibility with all models. Visit the app store to ensure you are using the most current version of the app.
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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