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Posted by u/gymtimidation_nah··Beginner

CalAI's calorie estimates are wild, anyone else struggling with this?

TL;DR: CalAI's calorie estimates are super inaccurate, looking for better tracking app recommendations.

So I've been using CalAI for like 2 weeks and OMG, the calorie estimates are all over the place! I swear it said my smoothie had 600 calories one day and then 250 the next, like what?! 😂 I tried to trust the AI but it's just not giving me reliable numbers. I'm getting frustrated bc I want to track my progress and eat right, but I can't when it's lying to me like this. Anyone else have similar experiences? What apps are you using instead that actually work? Please send help! 🤦‍♀️

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u/whey_wizard_22·

Sounds like CalAI is throwing some wild numbers, kinda like my last bench press attempt 😂. If you're looking for something more reliable, I swear by MacroFactor. Their algorithm just seems to work for me, and it feels more precise.

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u/cardio_is_a_myth·

For real, how is a smoothie different in calorie count on two different days? My son makes smoothies and I can assure you, it's not an ingredient mystery. Are you sure it's not just a glitch or something? That would drive me insane

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u/vegan_gains_99·

For me, it was worth it. I was consolidating my fasting tracker into Nutrola, and it saved me money. I used to pay for Zero plus MFP separately, so this was a win.

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u/cardio_is_a_myth·

Yep, trying to track what your kids eat while logging your own meals is like juggling chainsaws! I just want an app that doesn't make me feel like I need a degree to use it.

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u/running_from_reality·

Calorie counting can feel like running a marathon uphill sometimes. I find Cronometer to be a breath of fresh air, especially with their detailed micronutrient info. It really helps me optimize my meals for my long runs. Have you checked it out?

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u/mealprep_mama·· edited

Honestly the thing that sold me was that Nutrola's photo log gives portions in real units, like '3 pieces', '100 ml', '1/2 cup' instead of just dumping a calorie number. If the AI's off you tap and fix it in 2 seconds. With CalAI I had to redo the whole entry every time, which was the worst part for me.

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u/gymtimidation_nah·

I just don't trust these AI photo loggers yet. They always seem to miss the mark. I get the appeal but I'd rather have something tried and true like MFP.

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u/keto_not_crazy·

I tried Nutrola but the streak system gives me anxiety lol. Like, I miss a day and I feel guilty. But it really does keep me logging, so there's that.

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u/gymtimidation_nah·

100% this! I've been using MFP and it feels like a chore at times. I tried CalAI, and it was honestly just hot trash. I felt like I was playing food roulette! Anyone else had that experience?

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u/cardio_is_a_myth·

Honestly, I'm sticking with MFP for now. I know it has its flaws, but I've built a food database that works for me. Plus, those custom entries I made? Yeah, they save me a ton of time. Wouldn't want to lose that.

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u/cardio_is_a_myth·

I feel you, it's like trying to decipher a toddler's drawing trying to figure out calorie counts. I used MFP for years, but lately, the ads and paywall creep got wild. It's like, I just want to log my food without feeling like I'm subscribing to a Netflix series.

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u/stressliftingnurse·

I totally get the frustration. I tried CalAI once and it was just off. I switched back to MyFitnessPal, and yeah, the food list is dialed in, but I can't ignore the paywall creeping in. Makes it hard to stay on track when it feels like I'm paying to track my food

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u/running_from_reality·

Calorie counting is a tough gig, especially if you're running high mileage. I personally feel that when I track accurately, I see my performance improve. So, I'm sticking to tools that really give me the right data.

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u/whey_wizard_22·

That's the struggle! And honestly, if MFP keeps creeping in those ads, I might jump ship too. So frustrating.

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u/stressliftingnurse·

I'd recommend giving Cronometer a shot if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of nutrition. It's like a data nerd's dream. Plus, you might find the tracking a bit less stressful than other apps.

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u/whey_wizard_22·

i've been eyeing MacroFactor, but the price tag is a little steep for me. Is it really that much better than MFP or Cronometer?

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