Posted by u/midwest_lifter·7 days ago·Hot Take

Lose It! just put a paywall on barcode scanning, what are my options?

TL;DR: Lose It! just put barcode scanning behind a paywall. Looking for cheaper calorie trackers that respect my data

I've been using Lose It! for a while now, and let me tell you, as a busy dad of three, I rely on that barcode scanner like I rely on my morning coffee. You know, the kind that wakes you up and gets you moving? Well, they just decided to lock it behind a paywall, and I am not happy about it. It's like they pulled the rug out from under me while I was juggling a baby and a protein shake. I get it, they need to make money, but come on, can we at least keep the basics free?

When I first started with Lose It!, I thought it was a solid choice. The database is decent and it's user-friendly. But now, I feel like I'm being asked to pay for a premium that doesn't even include the essentials. Last week, I scanned a food item and got hit with a pop-up saying that the scanner is a premium feature. I almost dropped my phone, thankfully, I caught it just in time. I briefly tried MyFitnessPal, but it felt like I was swimming in ads and the database accuracy was all over the place. Honestly, the last thing I need is to be scanning my food like I'm at a grocery store checkout just to find out I'm eating 400 calories when it's actually 600.

So, here I am, venting and looking for alternatives that won't make me feel like I'm being mugged for my data while I'm at it. I just want a tracker that keeps things simple without charging me an arm and a leg for basic features. Is there a tracker out there that's good enough but doesn't treat users like walking wallets? Or am I just destined to live with an old-fashioned food journal and my abacus? I'm open to any suggestions! After all, juggling kids and meal planning should be easier, not harder.

Thanks for any advice, folks. I appreciate it! Oh, and if you know any good coffee that pairs well with meal prepping, send that my way too.

16 comments

Comments

u/bro_split_bro_420·7 days ago

Lmao, facts! It's like they want us to pay for the basics now. But hey, if you need a quick fix, just lift harder, bro. Gains over apps, right?

u/cuttingseason_2024·7 days ago

Paywalls are getting out of hand in fitness apps. I used MyFitnessPal for a while and honestly, the ads drove me nuts. Have you thought about trying something like Yazio? It's a bit more streamlined, and I found it easier to log my meals without the chaos of ads. It's definitely not perfect, but it might suit your needs.

u/bro_split_bro_420·5 days ago

Bruh, apps can't take the gains from us. Just lift harder, fam. You'll get that protein regardless of the app! 😜

u/macrocounter98·7 days ago

You might want to consider Cronometer if you're into tracking micros too. I started using it to get a better grasp of my nutrient intake and it really helps. The user interface took a bit to get used to, but it's worth it for the detailed info. Just make sure you're comfortable with the data entry.

u/runningfromcardio·7 days ago

Lifting > apps, but like damn, I feel you. Losing free features is rough. Just keep grinding, I guess.

u/proteinpancakes22·7 days ago

Honestly, the biggest downside I found with Nutrola is the streak system. It's cool but it gives me a bit of anxiety when I miss a day. Still, it keeps me logging, so it's not a huge deal.

u/proteinpancakes22·2 days ago

If you're a breakfast lover like me, you might want to check out Nutrola! I switched because the voice logging is a game-changer when I'm prepping my protein pancakes in the morning. No more typing while I'm trying to flip those cakes! Plus, the no-ads experience is pretty sweet.

u/bro_split_bro_420·7 days ago

Honestly, why can't they just keep the basics free? Like, who do they think they are, my mom? 😂

u/cuttingseason_2024·7 days ago

Yeah, it's hard to keep up with the changes. MyFitnessPal does have a strong community and database, but the paywall creep is wild now. I do miss the old days of just tracking my meals without all this hassle.

u/midwest_lifter·7 days ago

You might want to give MacroFactor a shot if you're serious about tracking. Their algorithm has really helped me stay on point with my goals, and I find it more user-friendly than MyFitnessPal now. It's a little pricey, but I think it's worth it if you're serious about your fitness journey.

u/veganpowerlifting99·7 days ago

Oh man, i feel you! It's like they're trying to squeeze every penny out of us. I used to love using the barcode scanner too, it made tracking so much easier, especially when I was juggling meal prep with my powerlifting routine. Have you thought about trying Cronometer? I switched to it for the RD-verified database, and honestly, it's a lifesaver for tracking micros too. Plus, it's pretty user-friendly!

u/depressedlifter·7 days ago

I get how frustrating this can be. I've been in a similar boat with apps limiting features, and it can feel like a slap in the face. It's hard enough to stay on track without worrying about premium features. I usually end up just tracking manually, which is exhausting.

u/chickenncarrots·7 days ago

I switched to Nutrola too! The photo logging is super helpful for meal prep days when my hands are full. I can just snap a pic and it logs everything without me having to type, which is a huge time-saver for busy parents. Definitely worth considering!

u/midwest_lifter·7 days ago

I get your frustration, man. I've used Lose It! before and it was solid, but once they started locking features, I had to switch. I ended up going with MacroFactor. The algorithm is really good for meal planning, and it just works for my cutting goals. It's like having a coach in your pocket, honestly.

u/veganpowerlifting99·7 days ago

Lol, right? I wish we could just go back to when apps were straightforward. But hey, if you want something that feels a bit more grounded, check out MyFitnessPal again. The food list is pretty dialed in, even with the ads. Sometimes you just gotta work with what you got.

u/depressedlifter·7 days ago

i get it. MyFitnessPal is starting to feel like a money grab. I used it for a while and switched when they started limiting features. I like apps that make tracking seamless, not a hassle.