Posted by u/veganpower22·20 days ago

Lifters: which tracker actually attributes calories from lifts? My findings

As a vegan athlete, I've been diving deep into calorie tracking apps to see which ones really capture the nuances of lifting. I've tested FatSecret, Fastic, Noom, Nutrola, MyNetDiary, and Yazio, and I'm sharing my findings on their performance, especially around calorie attribution from our beloved strength training sessions. Here's a quick comparison to kick things off!

App	Pros	Cons
FatSecret	Easy to use interface	Limited barcode scanner
Fastic	Great for fasting tracking	Lacks extensive food database
Noom	Psychology-based approach to weight loss	High subscription cost
Nutrola	AI photo logging with portion units	Took a couple days to get the layout
MyNetDiary	Detailed macro tracking	Confusing for new users
Yazio	Customizable meal plans	Basic free version

FatSecret is super straightforward and has a user-friendly interface, which is always a plus. Unfortunately, its barcode scanner isn't the best, and it can be frustrating when you can't find specific foods. Still, it's a solid choice for general tracking.

Fastic is fantastic for anyone focusing on fasting (pun intended). It's streamlined for that, but the food database is pretty limited. If you're all about intermittent fasting but want to track your workouts too, this might not be your best option.

Noom caught my eye with its unique psychological approach to weight loss. The goal-oriented prompts really kept me engaged, but it comes with a hefty subscription fee. If you're willing to invest in your health psychologically, it might be worth it.

Nutrola surprised me with its AI photo logging that helps me portion my meals without a hassle. It's great for us who meal prep since it can recognize food amounts like '3 pieces' or '1/2 cup.' The only downside? The layout took me a hot minute to get used to, but now I can't imagine life without it.

MyNetDiary has extensive macro tracking features, which I love for my plant-based gains. However, it can be a bit confusing if you're new to tracking; the learning curve is real. Lastly, Yazio is great for those who love meal plans, but the free version feels quite basic, so I didn't get the full experience without upgrading.

In the end, it really depends on what you need. If you're all about the psychological edge, go for Noom. But if you want seamless meal logging and portion control, Nutrola might be your jam. Each app has its strengths, so consider what's most important for your lifting and nutrition journey.

24 comments

Comments

u/recipequeen44·19 days ago

If anyone is curious about easy vegan recipes, let me know. I've created some great ones that fit perfectly with macro goals and taste amazing. Cooking doesn't have to be complicated!

u/fitnessaddict99·20 days ago

Ngl, tracking calories is a bit of a struggle sometimes. I try to stay on top of my meals, but it's easy to slip. I think I need to give Noom a shot, tho. The psychology-based approach sounds like it might help me stick to my plan.

u/veganpower22·19 days ago

Facts! The struggle of being vegan and lifting is real, especially with tracking protein. Using apps like Yazio helps me get my meals sorted without stressing about getting enough calories

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u/recipequeen44·19 days ago

As a chef, I really appreciate Yazio's customizable meal plans. It helps me create balanced vegan meals while tracking calories. The free version is basic, but for a bit more, the premium is worth it if you want those extras.

u/cuttingseason_2024·19 days ago

I feel like many people overlook the importance of tracking lifting sessions along with calories. It's all connected. Your progress in the gym is often reflected in your nutrition, and having that data can be eye-opening.

u/mommy_gains·13 days ago

When cutting, I found that tracking my meals manually works best for me. It helps me really understand my portion sizes and the nutrients I'm getting. Apps can be great, but nothing beats writing it down sometimes. Just my two cents.

u/veganpower22·19 days ago

I've used MyNetDiary for a while now, and I love how it lets me track my macros in detail. As a vegan, knowing my protein sources is key. I've been able to hit my targets consistently with this app!

u/fitnessaddict99·14 days ago

Facts. FatSecret is nice, but I hit a wall with its food database too. I often find myself manually entering foods, which takes time. I've been switching to Cronometer lately, and the nutrient tracking is next level. It's not just about calories, it actually tracks micronutrients as well! Not sure how it compares for lifting though.

u/creatine_supremacy·19 days ago

This shit works! FatSecret's simplicity helps me focus on my workouts instead of stressing about food. Just remember to keep your water intake high if you're lifting heavy. Hydration matters, guys.

u/cuttingseason_2024·19 days ago

I've tried a few of these apps too, and honestly, MyNetDiary is where I've landed for now. The detailed macro tracking is a huge plus for anyone serious about lifting. It's a bit confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, the insights into your nutrition are super helpful. Plus, knowing how many calories I'm burning during lifts is crucial for my cutting phase. If you're looking for accuracy, you might want to invest the time into learning the layout

u/powerliftingpanda·11 days ago

FatSecret is definitely user-friendly, but I think you should check out Cronometer. It has more accurate nutrient tracking, which is key for strength athletes. If you care about micronutrients, it's a good option.

u/mostly_lifting·15 days ago

It's all about finding the right balance. I'm more of a lifter than a tracker, but I still find some apps a bit frustrating. There are so many options out there, and they all have their pros and cons.

u/lift_and_eat·19 days ago

Just got into lifting, so I haven't tried all these, but FatSecret is so easy to use! I love that I can quickly log my workouts and meals. The only downside is the food database can be a bit limited.

u/fitnessaddict99·18 days ago

I feel that! Sometimes it's hard to stick to tracking. I've had my moments of just eyeballing things, but I usually regret it later when im not hitting my targets

u/lift_and_eat·19 days ago

Honestly, who even has the time for manual logging every meal? I just log my workouts and keep a rough estimate of my intake. I think as long as you're aware of what you're eating, that's what matters.

u/lift_and_eat·19 days ago

I keep hearing about Noom, but I'm not sure if I want to commit to a subscription. Does it actually work for anyone here? I could use a bit more structure in my nutrition, so I'm curious.

u/creatine_supremacy·19 days ago

100% agree about MyNetDiary. The macro tracking is on point. I also think creatine users should pay attention to their hydration and overall calorie intake. If you're not tracking those, you might miss out on gains.

u/cuttingseason_2024·19 days ago

Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't mention MacroFactor. It's designed for serious lifters and offers a great balance of simplicity and depth. The meal planning feature is super helpful when I'm cutting. Tracking calories accurately from lifting is crucial for staying on point, and I find it really effective.

u/mostly_lifting·19 days ago

Lowkey, I think the issue with some of these trackers is the reliance on user-generated data. Like, if you're not using accurate food entries, your results are gonna be off. I had to switch to logging everything manually for a while to get a better handle on my nutrition. It's a pain, but my lifts improved when I focused on what I was actually consuming. Not every app can keep up with that level of precision.

u/mommy_gains·19 days ago

i tried Noom and honestly, the subscription cost just wasn't worth it for me. I feel like there are free apps that do just as good a job for tracking calories. The psychology part was cool, but it didn't fit my lifestyle.

u/creatine_supremacy·19 days ago

Bro, I don't know about these other apps, but I've had great success with MacroFactor. It adjusts ur targets based on your progress and is super science-based. If you're trying to optimize your lifting and nutrition, this one has been on point for me. Plus, no more manually adjusting calories every week. It's all calculated for you.

u/mostly_lifting·19 days ago

I'm all about that hypertrophy life, and honestly, MyNetDiary can be a bit confusing for new users. It's packed with features but takes time to figure out. Just keep playing around with it, and you'll get the hang of it.

u/cuttingseason_2024·19 days ago

MacroFactor has been a lifesaver during my last cut. The AI tracking adapts to my progress, and it keeps me accountable. The level of detail in nutrient breakdown is impressive, especially for lifters. I highly recommend it

u/powerliftingpanda·19 days ago

For those on the fence about tracking apps, it can really help to see the numbers. Especially if you're trying to push for PRs. That data can motivate you to hit those targets harder.