By Sophie Lane
Hi everyone! I’m Sophie, and I’ve been using MyFitnessPal for over 2,000 days straight. That’s almost six years of logging food every single day! During this time, I’ve learned that knowing how to edit food entries is one of the most important skills for getting accurate nutrition tracking.
When I first started using MyFitnessPal, I just picked the first food that came up in searches. Big mistake! I quickly realized that many entries were wrong, incomplete, or didn’t match what I was actually eating. Learning to edit food entries has made my tracking so much more accurate and helpful.
Today, I want to share everything I know about editing food in MyFitnessPal. Whether you’re fixing wrong information, adding missing nutrients, or creating custom entries, I’ve got you covered!
Why You Need to Know How to Edit Food Entries
Before we dive into the how-to part, let me explain why editing food entries is so important based on my experience:
Common Problems I’ve Found:
- Wrong calorie counts that don’t match food labels
- Missing protein information for foods I need to track
- Incorrect serving sizes that make logging confusing
- Outdated entries for foods that have changed recipes
- Generic entries that don’t match specific brands
When I was trying to lose weight, wrong calorie counts really messed up my progress. I thought I was eating 1,500 calories a day, but because of bad entries, I was actually eating closer to 1,800! Learning to edit and verify food entries helped me get back on track.
Understanding MyFitnessPal’s Food Database
To edit food effectively, you first need to understand how MyFitnessPal’s food database works:
| Entry Type | Who Can Edit | Accuracy Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA entries | No one (locked) | Very high | Whole foods |
| Verified entries | Only original creator | High | Popular foods |
| User-created entries | Anyone | Varies | Custom foods |
| Your personal entries | Only you | Depends on you | Your recipes |
The key thing to remember is that not all entries can be edited. Some are locked because they come from official sources like the USDA. But many user-created entries can be edited, and you can always create your own custom entries.
How to Edit Existing Food Entries (Step-by-Step)
Here’s exactly how I edit food entries when I find problems:
Method 1: Quick Edit During Logging
- Find the food you want to log as usual
- Tap on the food to select it
- Look for the “Edit” button (usually a pencil icon)
- Make your changes to calories, macros, or serving size
- Save your changes
Method 2: Edit from Your Food Diary
- Go to your food diary for any day
- Find the food entry you want to change
- Tap and hold the entry (or swipe left on some versions)
- Select “Edit Food” from the menu
- Make your changes and save
Method 3: Edit from the Food Details Page
- Search for the food in the database
- Tap the food name to open its details page
- Look for “Edit” or “Correct This Food” option
- Update the information you want to change
- Submit your edits for review
What You Can and Cannot Edit?
Through my years of experience, I’ve learned exactly what parts of food entries you can change:
What You CAN Edit:
- Calorie counts (if the entry allows it)
- Macro nutrients (protein, carbs, fat)
- Serving size descriptions
- Serving size amounts
- Micro nutrients (vitamins and minerals)
- Food names (sometimes)
What You CANNOT Edit:
- USDA official entries (these are locked)
- Verified brand entries (locked by the original creator)
- Entries you didn’t create (in some cases)
- Barcode-linked entries (usually protected)
Creating Your Own Custom Food Entries
Sometimes, the best solution is to create your own food entry from scratch. Here’s how I do it:
Step-by-Step Process:
- Tap the “+” button to add food
- Select “Create New Food”
- Enter the food name (be specific!)
- Choose a serving size (1 cup, 100g, 1 piece, etc.)
- Enter nutrition information:
- Calories per serving
- Total fat (grams)
- Saturated fat (grams)
- Cholesterol (milligrams)
- Sodium (milligrams)
- Total carbs (grams)
- Fiber (grams)
- Sugar (grams)
- Protein (grams)
- Add vitamins and minerals if you want
- Save your custom entry
My Tips for Custom Entries:
| Tip | Why It Matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Be specific with names | Easy to find later | “Kroger 2% Milk” not just “Milk” |
| Use consistent serving sizes | Makes logging easier | Always use “1 cup” for liquids |
| Double-check your math | Avoid tracking errors | Verify calories match macros |
| Include brand names | Avoid confusion | “Cheerios General Mills” |
Editing Recipes and Multi-Ingredient Foods
One of the most useful things I’ve learned is how to edit complex foods and recipes. This is super helpful for home-cooked meals!
For Store-Bought Recipes:
- Find the nutrition label on the package
- Create a new food entry with the exact information
- Use the serving size from the label
- Name it clearly (like “Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala”)
For Homemade Recipes:
- Use the recipe feature in MyFitnessPal
- Add all ingredients with exact amounts
- Enter total servings the recipe makes
- Let MyFitnessPal calculate nutrition per serving
- Edit individual ingredients if needed
Common Editing Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made plenty of mistakes while editing food entries over the years. Here are the big ones to avoid:
Mistake #1: Not Checking Your Math
- Problem: Entering calories that don’t match the macros
- Solution: Remember that 1g protein = 4 calories, 1g carbs = 4 calories, 1g fat = 9 calories
Mistake #2: Using Confusing Names
- Problem: Creating entries like “Dinner” or “Lunch”
- Solution: Be specific like “Grilled Chicken Breast, 6oz”
Mistake #3: Wrong Serving Sizes
- Problem: Creating entries with weird serving sizes like “0.73 cups”
- Solution: Use standard sizes like “1 cup,” “1 tablespoon,” or “100 grams”
Mistake #4: Editing Official Entries
- Problem: Trying to change USDA or verified brand entries
- Solution: Create your own custom entry instead
Troubleshooting Common Edit Problems
Here are problems I’ve run into and how I solved them:
Problem: “Edit” Button Is Missing
Possible causes:
- Entry is locked (USDA or verified)
- You don’t have permission
- App needs updating
Solutions:
- Create a new custom entry instead
- Update your app
- Try editing from the website
Problem: Changes Don’t Save
Possible causes:
- Poor internet connection
- App glitch
- Too many fields left blank
Solutions:
- Check your internet
- Close and reopen the app
- Fill in all required fields
Problem: Can’t Find the Food Again
Solution: Make sure you’re logged in and check “My Foods” section
Advanced Editing Tips I’ve Learned
After years of experience, here are some advanced editing techniques that have helped me:
Tip #1: Create Food Groups
- Group similar foods together with consistent naming
- Example: “Sophie’s Smoothies – Banana Berry,” “Sophie’s Smoothies – Green”
Tip #2: Use Consistent Units
- Stick to the same measurements for similar foods
- Example: Always use “grams” for meat, “cups” for vegetables
Tip #3: Regular Database Cleanup
- Review and update your custom entries monthly
- Delete entries you no longer use
- Fix any errors you discover
Mobile App vs. Website: Which Is Better for Editing?
I’ve used both the MyFitnessPal mobile app and the website for editing. Here’s my comparison:
| Feature | Mobile App | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Good for quick edits | Better for detailed work |
| Typing | Small keyboard | Full keyboard |
| Copy/paste | Limited | Full functionality |
| Recipe creation | Basic features | Full recipe tools |
| Bulk editing | Not available | Some options |
My recommendation: Use the mobile app for quick fixes and the website for creating complex recipes or doing major edits.
Keeping Your Edits Organized
Here’s how I organize my custom food entries to make them easy to find:
Naming Strategy:
- Brand name first: “Kroger Whole Milk”
- Food type: “Kroger Whole Milk – 1 Cup”
- Personal identifier: “Sophie’s Protein Smoothie”
Categories I Use:
- My Recipes: For homemade meals
- Corrected Entries: Fixed versions of wrong database entries
- Restaurant Items: Custom entries for local restaurants
- Snack Combos: My favorite snack combinations
FAQ Section
Can I edit foods that other people created?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on whether the creator allowed edits and whether the entry is verified. You can always create your own version instead.
Will my edits affect other people’s food logs?
If you edit a public entry, yes, it might affect others. That’s why it’s often better to create your own personal entry for major changes.
How do I know if my nutrition information is accurate?
Always check against the official nutrition label on the food package. When in doubt, use the USDA food database as a reference.
Can I edit foods after I’ve already logged them?
Yes! You can edit the food entry itself, or you can adjust the serving size for that specific log entry.
What happens if I make a mistake while editing?
You can usually edit the entry again to fix mistakes. If you mess up really badly, you can delete your custom entry and start over.
Why can’t I edit some entries even though they seem wrong?
These are usually official entries from sources like the USDA or verified brand entries. They’re locked to prevent changes. Create your own custom entry instead.
Final Thoughts: Making MyFitnessPal Work for You
Learning how to edit food entries in MyFitnessPal has been one of the most valuable skills in my health journey. It’s helped me:
- Get more accurate calorie counts for better weight management
- Track macros correctly for my fitness goals
- Save time by having reliable, personalized entries
- Feel confident in my nutrition data
Remember, MyFitnessPal is a tool, and like any tool, it works better when you customize it for your needs. Don’t be afraid to edit, create, and customize food entries to match what you’re actually eating.
The most important thing is consistency. Even if your entries aren’t perfect, consistent tracking with mostly accurate information will help you reach your health goals.
Take it slow, start with the foods you eat most often, and gradually build up your custom database. Before you know it, you’ll have a personalized food database that makes tracking quick, easy, and accurate!
Sophie Lane has been using MyFitnessPal for over 2,000 consecutive days and has created hundreds of custom food entries. She enjoys helping others master nutrition tracking technology and shares practical tips for successful health journeys. When not perfecting her food database, Sophie loves experimenting with healthy recipes and testing new fitness apps.
