Free online food diary & calorie counter

mhayman

I've used FoodFocus (good and free), dailyburn (good, has free options and I wasn't pestered to upgrade at all), but I've just started on myfitnesspal which is very similar to food focus (food and exercise database seem the same and you can create recipes etc. like food focus).

Big plus though, it also has a free App to use on your iPhone/iPod/Droid Phone that stores the database locally so you don't need to be online to update. Add stuff in locally then sync up when you want.

HTH

mizfiesta

Hi all, I just stumbled on this thread today and have signed up for Food Focus. It really is a brilliant website. One query I do have though and would appreciate some advice. I'm 5ft 5" and 10 stone 12pounds. I don't do much in the way of exercise. I want to get down to about 10 stone - losing roughly 2 pounds a week. The calculator has worked out that my daily food calorie target should be 963. Isn't this too low? Of course I'd lose weight at this level but would it have a detrimental effect on my overall health? I would rather lose weight sensibly. I could of course be wrong? Any advice appreciated.

~Chameleon~

mizfiesta wrote: »

Hi all, I just stumbled on this thread today and have signed up for Food Focus. It really is a brilliant website. One query I do have though and would appreciate some advice. I'm 5ft 5" and 10 stone 12pounds. I don't do much in the way of exercise. I want to get down to about 10 stone - losing roughly 2 pounds a week. The calculator has worked out that my daily food calorie target should be 963. Isn't this too low? Of course I'd lose weight at this level but would it have a detrimental effect on my overall health? I would rather lose weight sensibly. I could of course be wrong? Any advice appreciated.

I would certainly say that is too low, in fact double it and you wouldn't be far wrong. Far too many people try to restrict their diet to an unrealistic level and wonder why they fail to lose weight. It's not healthy for anyone to be on less than 1200 calories a day.

You could easily lose the 12lbs just by increasing your exercise. An hour of cycling, swimming, walking etc would easily burn off 300-400 calories

mizfiesta

Thanks Chameleon, I'll disregard the Food Focus recommendation of 963 calories intake per day (far too low!) and go with around 1200 per day. In an ideal world I should/would exercise but, and I'm being really truthful, I never stick with anything long enough! I used to enjoy going to local sports centres exercise classes but can no longer afford to go. Never dieted before in my life and really want to do it sensibly. Can't believe this website would recommend such a low calorie intake with advising caution.

~Chameleon~

mizfiesta wrote: »

Thanks Chameleon, I'll disregard the Food Focus recommendation of 963 calories intake per day (far too low!) and go with around 1200 per day. In an ideal world I should/would exercise but, and I'm being really truthful, I never stick with anything long enough! I used to enjoy going to local sports centres exercise classes but can no longer afford to go. Never dieted before in my life and really want to do it sensibly. Can't believe this website would recommend such a low calorie intake with advising caution.

I hate the word DIET!! The best way to do it is to analyse what you currently eat, use the Food Focus to calculate it if you want, then start cutting out any high calorie junk food and you will probably find that you're left with a reasonably healthy diet which, if maintained long term, will see the excess pounds melt away naturally. And most importantly, they'll stay away!!

Also, be aware that any so-called low-fat food you buy is often packed with sugar to compensate, therefore making it even higher in calories and more unhealthy than the full-fat versions. The Weight Watchers range is one of the worst culprits for packing it's food with sugar, it's disgracefully misleading!!

mizfiesta

I've changed the required calorie intake to 1462 daily by adjusting my activity settings. Of course I have now lied and said I am extremely active lol. But at least this setting provides a better calorie setting. I do think this is a more healthy intake and I should still lose weight. I guess none of these free online 'guesstimate' sites should be take too literally but rather a rough guide on your intake and as you say Chameleon, it will highlight my old bad eating habits. :T

jenki2

Thanks so much for the links! Just what I was after :j

cupcakelady

Mizfiesta, it's because you set your weight loss target at 2 pounds a week that it prob came up with a daily calorie recommendation that was too low. According to another food diary website, 2 pounds weight loss a week is very tough and most people won't be able to sustain it. If you set your weight loss aim to say 1.5 pounds a week, it'll come up with a more easily achievable calorie target - and u shouldn't have to say you're really active if you're not! I think it's better to be honest about your activity level as they use it to calculate the rate at which u burn calories.

SussexSocialist

I am currently trying to lose weight and have read this thread and looked at Food Focus and though much the same as everyone else...wow!!

Then realistic me kicked and and thought....why for free? I was on the verge of signing up when I read the terms and conditions and would like to draw your attention to this little gem:

"Information Use
You agree that all personal user content and information of any kind stored on the Site becomes the exclusive property and becomes under the exclusive control of FoodFocus.co.uk . This includes any further use of the data for any purpose, be it commercial, scientific, academic, or any other usage. "

So your name, birthdate, height, weight and more all become their 'exclusive property' to sell or use as they wish. Ideal for identity theft, fake passports, fake visas and more. Hmmm. I don't think so, not for me anyway. Be careful folks.....if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

doolols

I've just started using MyFitnessPal, and it seems about the best for being able to enter common food items, as well as to track exercise.