Is MyFitnessPal Premium Worth It? Here’s When I Found It Incredibly Useful
I’ve used MyFitnessPal multiple times over the years—especially during seasons when I wanted to take my nutrition and body goals seriously. I initially used the free version and then upgraded to the Premium version.
Looking back, I can confidently say this:
MyFitnessPal is worth it when you’re ready to take control of your food, portions, and goals.
Whether you’re trying to lose fat, increase protein intake, or simply build meal awareness, MyFitnessPal becomes a powerful tool for your body when you’re in a focused phase of your health journey.
What Is MyFitnessPal?
MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular and widely used nutrition tracking apps in the world. It allows you to log food, track calories and macros, sync with fitness devices, and monitor your progress—all from your phone.
It comes in two versions:
- Free: Basic but functional
- Premium: Full access to detailed tracking, customization, and insights
MyFitnessPal Free vs. Premium: Comparison Chart
| Feature | Free Version | Premium Version |
|---|---|---|
| Food Logging | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Barcode Scanning | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Meal & Recipe Logging | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Ads | 🚫 No | ✅ Ad-Free |
| Calorie Tracking | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Macro Tracking (Protein/Carbs/Fat) | 🔸 Limited (Daily only) | ✅ Full (Daily + per meal) |
| Custom Macronutrient Goals | 🚫 No | ✅ Yes |
| Custom Calorie Goals by Day | 🚫 No | ✅ Yes |
| Meal Time Tracking | 🚫 No | ✅ Yes |
| Food Insights & Analysis | 🚫 No | ✅ Yes |
| Export Data | 🚫 No | ✅ Yes |
| Priority Customer Support | 🚫 No | ✅ Yes |
| Cost | $0 | ~$9.99/month or ~$79.99/year |
When I Personally Found Premium Worth It
I upgraded to Premium during a time when I was really focused on:
- Understanding calories and portion sizes
- Making sure I hit my protein goals
- Logging and planning meals ahead of time
- Learning about meal timing and how food affects energy throughout the day
The Premium version made it easy to see what I was eating, when I was eating, and how that aligned with my goals. It provided me with the data I needed—without overwhelming me.
If you’re someone who wants to simplify the process—take photos of food, track macros, or build a custom meal structure—Premium is worth every penny, at least for a few focused months.
How to Use MyFitnessPal Effectively (Tips From My Own Use)
- Log before you eat — this helps you stay on track, especially when managing a calorie deficit
- Use the barcode scanner and save frequent meals to log quickly
- Track protein intake daily and per meal (Premium helps with this)
- Set custom goals for calories, macros, fiber, and specific days
- Don’t aim for perfection—aim for patterns and consistency
Who Should Upgrade to Premium?
✅ You want to cut body fat or go on a calorie deficit
✅ You’re learning about macros or portion control
✅ You want to customize meal plans or meal timing
✅ You’re following a high-protein diet and need to monitor intake precisely
✅ You want to reduce the mental load of logging (Premium makes it easier and faster)
If any of those sound like you, Premium is a wise, short-term investment that pays off in nutritional awareness and better results.
Recap: MyFitnessPal Is a Tool, Not a Lifelong Commitment
I don’t think anyone needs to log food forever.
But if you’re trying to build body awareness, MyFitnessPal helps train your brain. You learn what an actual portion looks like, how different foods affect energy and fullness, and what your body needs to thrive. And once you’ve built those habits, you may not need the app at all.
But for a few focused weeks or months?
It’s one of the most powerful nutrition tools you can use.
