Ever wondered how to make low-carb eating easier without all the math? MyFitnessPal’s net carbs tracking is here to save the day! Whether you’re rocking a keto diet or just trying to cut back on carbs, this feature helps you focus on the carbs that actually count. In this guide, we’ll break down what net carbs are, why they matter, and how MyFitnessPal’s Premium feature makes tracking them a total breeze. Let’s get started!
Wait, What Are Net Carbs Anyway?
If you’ve ever tried a low-carb diet, you’ve probably heard the term “net carbs” thrown around. But what does it actually mean? In simple terms, net carbs are the carbohydrates your body can fully digest and use for energy – the ones that affect your blood sugar. Unlike total carbs, net carbs don’t include fiber or sugar alcohols, which pass through your body without spiking your blood sugar.
Think of it like this: If you’re eating a snack bar with 20 grams of total carbs, 5 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of sugar alcohols, your net carbs would be 9 grams (20 – 5 – 6 = 9). MyFitnessPal makes it super easy to track these, especially if you’re a Premium user. Let’s dive into why this matters and how you can use MyFitnessPal to stay on top of your net carbs game.
Why Track Net Carbs?
Tracking net carbs is a game-changer if you’re on a low-carb or keto diet. By focusing on the carbs that actually impact your body, you can enjoy more food choices without derailing your goals. For example, fiber-rich foods like veggies or certain low-carb snacks with sugar alcohols (like erythritol) won’t count against your carb limit, giving you more flexibility.
Plus, keeping an eye on net carbs can help you:
- Manage blood sugar: Especially helpful if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
- Boost fiber intake: Most of us don’t get enough fiber, which is key for digestion and feeling full.
- Stay satisfied: Low-net-carb foods often keep you fuller longer, making it easier to stick to your plan.
MyFitnessPal’s net carbs tracking takes the guesswork out of this, so you can focus on eating what you love while hitting your goals.
How MyFitnessPal Makes Net Carbs Tracking a Breeze
If you’re a MyFitnessPal Premium member in the USA or Canada, tracking net carbs is a snap with the mobile app (available on iOS and Android). Unfortunately, this feature isn’t available for web users or those outside the USA and Canada yet, but MyFitnessPal is working to bring it to more users soon. Below, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up and using net carbs tracking with detailed steps to make your low-carb journey effortless.
Enabling Net Carbs Mode
To start tracking net carbs, you’ll need to activate Net Carbs Mode. This setting changes how the app displays carbohydrate information, replacing all mentions of “Carbohydrates” with “Net Carbs” across your diary and reports. It’s a simple way to focus on the carbs that affect your blood sugar without manual calculations.
To enable it, open the MyFitnessPal app on your iOS or Android device. From the home screen, tap the Menu (or “More” on some devices, usually in the bottom right corner). Next, go to Settings and select Diary Settings. Look for the Track Net Carbs option and toggle it to “on.” Once activated, the app automatically adjusts to display net carbs instead of total carbs, streamlining your tracking process and saving you time.
If you run into issues, make sure you’re using the latest version of the app. If the option isn’t visible, try updating the app, force-closing and reopening it, or reinstalling after ensuring your diary data is synced to the MyFitnessPal website. This ensures you’re ready to track net carbs smoothly.
Setting a Personalized Net Carbs Goal
With Net Carbs Mode enabled, you can set a daily net carbs goal tailored to your dietary needs, just as you would for calories, protein, or fat. This feature is especially valuable for low-carb or keto diets, where precise carb tracking is essential for success.
To set your goal, first confirm that Net Carbs Mode is active. Then, from the app’s Menu (or “More”), tap Goals and select Calories, Net Carbs, Protein, and Fat Goals. Here, you can adjust your net carbs target by using the slider or entering a specific number that aligns with your diet plan.
If you’re unsure about the right goal, consider consulting a registered dietitian or doctor to find a number that supports your health, weight loss, or blood sugar management objectives. As a starting point, aim for 20-50 grams of net carbs daily for a keto diet or 50-100 grams for a general low-carb approach, then tweak based on how your body responds. Setting a clear net carbs goal helps you stay accountable and plan meals that keep you on track, whether you’re aiming for ketosis or simply reducing carb intake.
Customizing Your Dashboard for Net Carbs
To keep your net carbs progress front and center, MyFitnessPal lets you customize your dashboard to highlight net carbs alongside other key nutrients. The Low Carb dashboard is particularly useful, but you can also create a personalized view to suit your preferences.
After enabling Net Carbs Mode, go to the app’s home screen and tap the “…” in the top right corner (or “Change” on some devices). You’ll see five dashboard options: Calorie Focus (total calories consumed, burned, and remaining), Macronutrient Focus (net carbs, protein, fat, and calories remaining), Heart Healthy (fat, sodium, cholesterol, and calories remaining), Low Carb (net carbs, sugar, dietary fiber, and calories remaining – perfect for low-carb dieters), or Custom (choose any three nutrients, like net carbs, fiber, and protein, plus calories remaining). Select the one that best fits your needs, and your dashboard will update instantly.
Note that dashboard changes only affect the home screen, not your diary. If you want a similar setup in your diary, you’ll need to adjust it separately. Web users don’t have a diary dashboard but can view app-set net carb goals under “Carbohydrates.” The Low Carb dashboard is a standout choice, as it puts net carbs in the spotlight, making it easy to check your progress at a glance.
The Magic of Automatic Calculations
Once Net Carbs Mode is active, MyFitnessPal takes care of the math for you. Every time you log a food, the app calculates net carbs using the formula: Net Carbs = Total Carbs – Fiber – Sugar Alcohols (in the USA and Canada). This eliminates the need to manually subtract fiber or sugar alcohols, ensuring accurate tracking with minimal effort.
For example, if you log a food with 25 grams of total carbs, 7 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of sugar alcohols, the app will display 14 grams of net carbs (25 – 7 – 4 = 14). The app’s robust food database includes fiber and sugar alcohol details for many items, making calculations reliable. If a food’s label doesn’t list sugar alcohols, check the ingredients or add them manually for precision. This automated system makes net carbs tracking a seamless part of your routine, letting you focus on your meals and goals.
Who Can Use This Feature?
Net carbs tracking is exclusive to Premium members in the USA and Canada using the latest version of the MyFitnessPal mobile app. If you can’t find it, here’s why:
- Not a Premium member? You’ll need an active subscription. Check out MyFitnessPal’s Premium options in the app.
- Outdated app? Update to the latest version, or try reinstalling (just make sure your diary data is saved on the website first).
- Outside USA/Canada? This feature isn’t available yet, but app-set net carb goals will show up under “Carbohydrates” on the web.
ReciMe: A Smarter Way to Track Calories Compared to MyFitnessPal
We developed ReciMe to redefine how you approach nutrition tracking. Unlike traditional calorie-counting apps, ReciMe is a recipe organizer designed to simplify and enhance your meal planning experience. By focusing on recipes, ReciMe automatically calculates calories and macronutrients, allowing you to prioritize creating delicious meals while effortlessly meeting your nutritional goals.
ReciMe enables you to save recipes from diverse sources, including Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, or even photos, and instantly provides detailed nutritional breakdowns. We crafted this app for users who love the functionality of apps like MyFitnessPal but seek a more creative and streamlined way to manage their diet. ReciMe organizes your recipes into custom cookbooks, supports flexible weekly meal planning, and generates smart grocery lists sorted by supermarket aisle or recipe to make shopping quick and efficient.
Just try it – you’ll love it:
What Sets ReciMe Apart from MyFitnessPal?
- Recipe-Based Tracking: Save a recipe, and ReciMe instantly calculates its calories and macronutrients.
- Time-Saving Convenience: We designed ReciMe to minimize logging time, letting you focus on cooking and enjoying meals.
- Creative Flexibility: Collect recipes from social media or personal notes, making it easy to explore new dishes while staying on track.
- Smart Grocery Lists: ReciMe generates shopping lists organized by aisle or recipe, optimizing your grocery trips.
- Flexible Meal Planning: Plan weekly meals tailored to your goals, whether low-carb, keto, or general healthy eating.
- Nutrition Insights: Gain clear calorie and macronutrient breakdowns for every recipe to support your dietary objectives.
- Customizable Cookbooks: Organize recipes into personalized collections for quick and easy access.
- Free and Premium Options: The Free version allows up to 8 recipe saves, while the Premium version unlocks unlimited saves and advanced meal planning features.
- Platform Availability: Access ReciMe on iOS, Android, or via our Chrome extension for seamless recipe saving.
We built ReciMe to make nutrition tracking intuitive and inspiring by centering it around recipes, not numbers. Try ReciMe today and discover how our recipe-based approach can transform your healthy eating journey!
Why Net Carbs Aren’t Everything
While net carbs are a great tool, they’re not the whole story. The term “net carbs” is more of a marketing buzzword than a scientific standard, and groups like the FDA or American Diabetes Association don’t officially endorse it. That means there’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation for how many net carbs you should eat daily.
If you’re managing a health condition like diabetes, talk to your doctor about whether tracking net carbs, total carbs, or both is best for you. They can also help you balance your macros (carbs, protein, fat) for your specific needs.
Conclusion
Tracking net carbs on MyFitnessPal is like having a low-carb cheat code. It helps you focus on the carbs that matter, makes sticking to your diet easier, and even encourages you to eat more fiber-packed foods. Whether you’re keto, low-carb, or just curious, this Premium feature can level up your nutrition game.
Ready to give it a try? Fire up the MyFitnessPal app, turn on Net Carbs Mode, and start logging. You’ve got this!
Note: Always consult a healthcare professional before making big changes to your diet, especially if you have medical conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are net carbs, and why should I track them on MyFitnessPal?
Net carbs are the digestible carbohydrates that impact your blood sugar, calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols from total carbs. Tracking them on MyFitnessPal helps low-carb or keto dieters focus on carbs that affect their goals, offering more food flexibility while managing blood sugar and boosting fiber intake.
2. Who can use the net carbs tracking feature on MyFitnessPal?
This feature is available only to Premium members in the USA and Canada using the latest version of the MyFitnessPal mobile app (iOS or Android). It’s not yet available for web users or international users, though MyFitnessPal is working to expand access.
3. How do I turn on Net Carbs Mode in the MyFitnessPal app?
Open the app, go to Menu (or “More”), tap Settings, then Diary Settings. Toggle Track Net Carbs to “on.” This switches all “Carbohydrates” references to “Net Carbs” in the app. Ensure you’re using the latest app version to access this feature.
4. Can I set a specific net carbs goal, and how do I do it?
Yes! With Net Carbs Mode enabled, go to Menu > Goals > Calories, Net Carbs, Protein, and Fat Goals. Adjust your net carbs target using the slider or enter a number. Consult a dietitian for a personalized goal if you’re unsure what’s right for you.
5. Why don’t I see the Net Carbs Mode option in my MyFitnessPal app?
You might not see it if you’re not a Premium member, using an outdated app version, located outside the USA or Canada, or accessing the web version. Update your app, check your subscription, or confirm your location. If issues persist, reinstall the app after syncing your diary data online.