When you first start using MyFitnessPal it can seem overwhelming and confusing. I promise you, the more you use it, the easier it becomes! And YES!! You can use the free version!!
First, do NOT log your workouts into MyFitnessPal. If you have had your macros customized for you, your activity level has most likely already been factored into your macros. If you aren’t sure, ask!
Second, log your food either BEFORE or right after you eat. When looking back, people underestimate or forget A LOT of what they eat. Watch this quick video if you want to see for yourself: https://youtu.be/KA9AdlhB18o
The more you log your food, the more populated your library become and the quicker it becomes to log the foods you eat on a regular basis. Using the scanning feature is also SUPER helpful for things with a barcode!
This is a YouTube playlist from Working Against Gravity that covers various topics like setting your custom macro goals, tracking your macros, logging your meals, and adding a bulk recipe and logging a single serving. I still refer back to this! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe0572sDaFDbxw30ageWxu5bS3HaYBY4T.
When you log your food, be sure to specify how it is cooked when searching. Raw chicken breast weighs more than baked chicken and we want to be as precise as possible. When we cook something, water evaporates making it lighter.
Pay attention to serving size! According to the nutrition label, one tablespoon of cocoa powder weighs 5 grams. In reality, one full tablespoon is closer to 8 or 9 grams. Same thing with peanut butter. One tablespoon is NOT 16 grams. This was REALLy eye opening and a little heartbreaking for me!
Also, when you look at the Nutrition screen, make sure this is the screen you are looking at!
Here are some tips from Adee Cazayoux, the founder of WAG: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18025793770013121/
If you have any questions about ANYTHING, let me know!! I have been in the exact spot you are so I have lots of tools and strategies to help 🙂