Nutrition Trackers

(Edith) #1

Hey Everyone, I’ve been on this forum for quite some time and have maintained my weight for years. Recently, I’ve been under a lot of stress: anxiety levels are up, sleep quality is poor, and I’ve put on almost five pounds in the past month. I know some of it is water retention because my rings are tight, but it’s possible maybe I’ve just started eating more than I realize. I’ve decided to track my macros and calories which I haven’t done for years.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a nutrition tracker app? I used to use MyFitnessPal, but I’m wondering if there is something else around that might be better.

(Rebecca ) #2

Good morning, when I did track, I used Carb Manager. It required me to enter serving size etc. I know I wasn’t always truthful.
I’ve been carnivore for 7 months now, so I stopped tracking. I’m down 42 lbs, in a S/size 4-6 and feel incredible!!
Stress can do a real number on a person!! I wish you well!

(Bob M) #3

And sleep. Bad sleep is, well, bad for you.

Let us know what you choose and how it is.

#4

MacroFactor if you want something that actually figures out YOUR metabolism. Also is literally the fastest for entry. You can log a 10 item meal in less than 30secs once you get used t it and it gets used to your normal foods.

Cronometer is good for the ability to track a gazillion weird things, but fails at it’s main job as it still in 2026 doesn’t have an adaptive TDEE model despite being requested from them for years on end.

I’ve pretty much tried everything that even remotely tries to compete with the top ones for years now. MFP is a total lost cause, they paywalled things that are almost always free options. Carb Manager’s one trick pony of slapping labels on things while never getting better at tracking doesn’t work. LoseIt isn’t terrible, kinda has the same entry method as MacroFactor, but still doesn’t have Adaptive TDEE, like Cronometer, they’ve been begged for it for years now.

One the water retention, 1500MG of Dandelion root with each mean, and higher potassium will drain it right out.

(Edith) #5

@lfod14: Thanks for the App reviews, and I will look into the Dandelion root. I think I shall give it a try.

@ctviggen: Yeah, I think a big part of the problem is the poor sleep quality. Also, for some reason, even before keto, I need high amounts of magnesium or I get anxiety among other symptoms. Last time I ordered Mg, the one I ordered was out of stock and I tried a different brand. It doesn’t seem to be nearly as effective and that could be part of my trouble. I switched back to my previous brand just today, so I’ll see if that helps, as well.

(Joey) #6

Same here. It was very friendly and accessible. I used the free version for a while, then went premium for a bit. Eventually, you get the knowledge you’re after and it’s no longer worth the tracking effort anymore.

FWIW, 5 lbs isn’t much. I often swing that much (on a base weight of roughly 140lbs) over the course of weeks, depending on the season, etc. I believe much of it is water weight (and digestion regularity).

(Bean) #7

I use Cronometer Pro right now because it does fasting and micro nutrients better than others, and I needed those at the time (and I got it 50% off). When it expires in July, I’ll probably switch to MyNetDiary. Their free tier much better than Cronometer’s.

I do need to track for therapeutic ketogenic, but I also have a list of my regular foods and the protein counts.

A feature I would like that no main stream app has is protein + carbs as a single visual since that is how therapeutic is calculated.

(Nathanael Schulte) #8

I would second Cronometer, and i also pay for the gold version for the more advanced nutrient tracking. But for macros alone, the free version should do fine.

(Bob M) #9

This is the one I use, which may or may not help you. I don’t use that much, though, only one per day usually. So, I might not have the same Mg requirements you have.

(Kirk Wolak) #10

Stress, Cortisol, Insulin. That’s the cascade for me.
It turns out that the Hypervigilance I’ve leveraged for my career…
Was not only driving Cortisol and Insulin, it was also raising my BP!

As I started reducing “leaning into my hypervigilance”, slowing down the playback speed from 200% on everything, and actually breathing better…

I noticed better sleep, a lowered BP (15 points!) and surprise… Losing about 5lbs of what I refer to as “Protective Stress Weight” (my body trying to protect me, due to the stress signals I was sending it all of the time).

For me, it’s not calories, it’s stress and “de-stressing hunger” (the permission to relax and have something to eat… Because 99% I need the first part. To simply RELAX… lol)

(Edith) #11

Stress really is the source of all the other problems. I’m trying to get that reigned in; well, I don’t have control over the stress causing circumstances at the moment, but I can control my reaction to them.

(Bob M) #12

Dr. Malcolm Kendrick at one time believed that stress was THE cause of heart disease. Since then, he believes there are multiple potential causes, but stress is still way up there.

My wife got some magnesium from Costco that is stronger than what I have but appears to be fairly similar or maybe even the same.

(Kirk Wolak) #13

I will try to save you Thousands of Dollars that I have spent:

  1. Breathe. (Exhale LONGER than you inhale: 4s:6s). It’s calming
  2. De-Stimulate (Don’t relax by watching, relax with your eyes closed, or simple knitting, etc.)
    In recent years, Dopamine Seeking has replaced Relaxing.
  3. Completely Remove Stimulants for 30-60 days. (I am doing this now, Week 1 was good, but there are so many withdrawal symptoms).

Then, simple movement like walking. getting some sun.

I’ve just registered a 15-20 point drop in my BP from the above.

(Edith) #14
  1. Yes, I need to give this a try
  2. I do have a bedtime routine, that involves candlelight while getting ready for bed and reading non fiction. Unfortunately, I’m not as regular with this routine as I should be. Thanks for the reminder.
  3. I completely gave up caffeine about a month ago and even though it was only green tea or matcha in the morning, it has helped. Interesting, I realized a while ago, I can’t handle anything with B vitamin supplements. They make me mean and edgy, so I don’t eat or drink anything with B vitamins either. I should probably stop dark chocolate, too. That does have a stimulant in it.

@ctviggen, I switched back to my old brand and also take Natural Calm before going to bed. I’ll try your Mg suggestion next.

It’s the staying asleep that’s been particularly challenging, awakening at 3:00 am and not being able to fall back to sleep due to anxiety provoking thoughts at that time. I’ll try the breathing exercises then, though I’m sure that will require practice just like anything else to be successful.

#15

Hello, have been tracking for a few years using MyNetDairy App its been very good, easy to use. I use the free option with no problems.

#16

I take Melatonin 20mg on my cancer treatment nights before bed under the tongue. Two tablets. thats 2 or three nights three times a month. Make sure to get out in the sunshine for a hour a day. Will work hopefully did for me.

(Edith) #17

I don’t have trouble falling asleep, it’s the staying asleep. I have tried Melatonin, and I will use it if I’ve had a late day of driving and had some caffeine to stay awake, and while it does help me fall asleep faster, it does not help me stay asleep. Maybe I just don’t take a big enough dose? And yes, sunshine! I am desperately trying to get more, not just from my after dinner walk. Thanks for the thoughts.

(Ohio ) #18

I have no sleep environment. Some nights I’m woken up every 2-3 hours by loud 100+ decibel booms. I have no science or app advice, but since we’re keto I’ll just share my perspective on sleep deprivation. I think sleep deprivation is brushed aside by a civilization that would rather power through the day w 100-200 mg caffeine. (I’m also ranting.)

When everything is aligned for me for I’m pure carnivore. Raw fish and almost raw steak. 2-3 hour feeding window. When the sleep deprivation is getting to me, that’s all out the window. I’m almost vegan, high fiber. If you’re trying to dial in your circadian rhythm I can tell you lots of bright lights in the morning. Grow lights are key. I dial things down towards the end of the day with low lighting.

(B Creighton) #19

Sorry, I don’t track my calories and have no suggestions for an app. Theanine may be useful to lower cortisol levels from stress though, which can cause weight gain - especially while you are sleeping. You may try stevia sweetened drinks to lower water retention. Stevia is a natural diuretic. Or if you are eating salty canned foods or processed foods, cut back on those to lower water retention.

(Bob M) #20

Supposedly, Stevia also helps with things like Lyme disease and Bartonella.