MacroFactor - Macro Tracker 12+

Does Everything I Have Wanted In a Food Tracker

I decided to try this because I follow Stronger By Science and thought if anyone could get it right, it would be them. They did! I’m a registered dietitian (very part time) in both US & U.K. as well as a body builder/fitness enthusiast and have previously used MFP because of their large database of food. The problem is that they have so many items for one search that it’s impossible to know what is accurate, and the measurements are also really hard to define when selecting and entering. MF is so far excellent in this regard, as it seems they screen entries and allow people to enter their own barcode data separately for themselves if it’s not available (which it so far has been for me except once, and it was easy to add). I also cannot stress enough how much easier it is to add a food when you always have a grams weight option! I also like that you enter the food by time of day (but I know some mentioned they preferred meals). Some things took me a minute to figure out, but there is always a learning curve if you’ve been using another app previously. I was going to continue using MFP (premium) and MF side by side for the free trial periods, but after a day, I stopped MFP because this app is so much better. This app is actually less expensive for the year, and it does way more and is much more accurate. I am so happy with this app so far and would recommend trying it!

Developer Response ,

Thanks so much! That's high praise coming from a dietitian! We're really glad you're enjoying it

I actually enjoy logging my food food in this app

It’s like going from email to text. There isn’t just one thing that works better, rather it is the way the small improvements add up. I took the free trial and after 7 days. Each day my appreciation for the MF app grew and now I would never go back. I had used Carb Manager but switched to MF even though I had 6 mo the left on a subscription to Carb Manager. I had to admit it was worth the cost and ignore the sunk cost of Carb Manager…I trust myself to transition to maintenance with MF in a way I didn’t with other apps.

(1) Logging food is faster and easier so I don’t mind doing it. (2) A positive relationship with logging food exists because of the feedback loop of better logging means better data to adjust my macros targets - and it is quick as to do it. (3) Going from loss to maintenance is the hardest IMO, from a mental side. By knowing that the app will auto adjust my calories and macros during check in is motivating and helpful. (4) The articles they write, I’m new to stronger by science, are worth it for motivation and education. I can tell they care about the app and the success of others. (5) Very transparent in terms of what they will add or won’t add to the app so it feels like I know we are aligned. (6) It’s not cheap or “free”. I rationalize the cost as paying by offsetting the cost of food I “would have bought” when gaining lbs in yo-yo diet. So far that has made sense.

Accurate Accountability

For context, I am a peri-menopausal, chronically underweight former dancer, whose goal it is to compete in a bodybuilding competition. And I avoid apps! For the past year-and-a-half, I had been manually tracking my food in Numbers, guessing at my caloric requirements, circling days of my (wildly fluctuating) periods on tiny paper calendars that I kept tucked in my training book, and maintaining progress photos and metrics in separate folders on my laptop. Macrofactor--which I gifted myself last Christmas--obviated the need for ALL OF THAT.

The ease of tracking (everything!) and staying accountable to my goals has been so worth the paid subscription. I am seeing the needle gradually move in the right direction on the scale without the usual panic that accompanied it (as someone who always wanted to be small instead of strong). I am motivated to be as accurate as possible with weighing food and my weight so that the Macrofactor algorithm can do its thing.

Just a few days of exploring all the great features in the App, and it's now second nature to use. I highly, highly recommend this tool if you have specific goals and want to be as accurately accountable as possible. I've enjoyed the building process, and Macrofactor helps to make it even more enjoyable.

Developer Response ,

We are so glad to hear the app is useful for you! Keep up the good work!