What Are The Best Apps For Tracking Macros While In Ketosis?
In order to properly understand the ketogenic diet, it’s vital to manage low carbohydrate intake while examining adequate proteins and high fat intake. To stay within these daily requirements, there are various apps to help with calculations.
A good place to start would actually be an app called Keto Diet. This app will help you determine your macronutrients, or “macros.” To figure out your specific calorie, protein, carb, and fat intake, simply download the free app.
Through a series of questions—gender, current weight, estimated body fat percentage, activity level, and goal—the app will calculate your particular nutrition goals for the Ketogenic diet, with net carbs included.
However, this app is relatively limited without a subscription, so we actually recommend the following apps for daily use once you know your macros.
MyFitnessPal Calorie Counter
Technically, MyFitnessPal wasn’t built for the ketogenic diet, but it’s an efficient calculator nonetheless. Now sponsored by Under Armour, MyFitnessPal is one of the most well-known calorie counters, so most foods have already been included in the database. Therefore, many foods can be uploaded with a simple barcode scan.
While the ketogenic diet generally keeps shoppers in the outer ring of the grocery store (meats and veggies versus pre-packaged boxes), MyFitnessPal is truly helpful and easy to navigate. It’s also possible to key in certain foods that you create. So, you eat similar items, which will pop up on your suggested foods section.
To key in a new recipe or concoction, simply search for an item. If it’s not available, “Create a Food” and make sure to label it in a way you will remember it. Then, key in the macros for that item based on the recipe. This is great for various types of bulletproof coffee (adding protein for example) or fat bomb creations.
The free version on Android and iOS should work for most keto dieters, but there is also a premium version for $9.99 per month.
Total Keto Diet App
The experts over at Total Keto Diet app have developed a free app for Android and iOS. The macro tracker from Tasteoholics, Inc. is another great day for individuals to stay on track.
Keto experts designed this app with keto dieters in mind. Many of the resources include low carb recipes within a database, offline reading options, and information for beginners, such as guides, shopping lists, meal plans, and more.
Cron-O-Meter App
The Cron-o-meter app is available on Google Play and iTunes for $3.99 per month with a premium option at $5.99 per month. The growing database for Cron-o-meter is not as extensive as MyFitnessPal, but most of the whole food items found on the keto diet will be in the database.
Cron-o-meter does a great job of tracking micronutrients as well as macronutrients. This way, dieters can make sure they’re not consuming too much or too little of the various nutrients a body needs. Some keto dieters love the precision of this app, while others experience a learning curve or less-user-friendly experience.
FatSecret App
FatSecret is another flexible free app on Google Play and iTunes that actually features a “region” section. For those keto dieters living in Germany, for example, there is a regional version packed with custom entries. Like the other options on our list, food items can also be created.
The app tells dieters a very detailed version of their daily, weekly, and monthly macro intake, which is perfect for losing or maintaining weight. FatSecret allows for dieters to track total carbs and net carbs, while also focusing on macro nutrients, potassium, and sodium, which are often limited on the keto diet.
Carb Manager
The Carb Manager has a free version on Google Play and iTunes but there is also a premium account for $39.99 per year. The Carb Manager is a tracking app designed for those on a low-carb or modified ketogenic diet. It also has a large database and the option to key in foods with a bar code.
The free version is somewhat limited, so it may be best to order the paid version if you like the feel of this app. It’s one of the most popular keto or low-carb trackers and there is a free 7-day trial to test the app.
Summary
All in all, there are plenty of options for tracking macros in the keto diet, but the most popular one is most likely MyFitnessPal, because it has the largest database. Whichever app you choose, make sure to pick one that properly tracks macros.
Since MyFitnessPal wasn’t built for keto, there are finger-waving inserts that will let you know which items are high fat and the app also warns against too many calories. The app was built around the Western diet, so ignore these warnings.
Instead of following these warnings closely, use the Keto Diet app or another macros calculator and simply focus on your “Diary” and your “Nutrition > Macros.”
Keyto Takeaway
MyFitnessPal is the go-to macros-tracking app and is free (with some rather irritating ads attached). However, Cron-O-Meter, FatSecret, and Carb Manager are also great options.