There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of diets out there—keto, Whole30, Atkins—and they all restrict what you eat in one way or another.
But what if there was another way to lose weight…one that didn’t include drastically cutting carbs or worrying about being in ketosis?
That’s where MyNetDiary comes into play. MyNetDiary is a website and mobile app that serves as an online diary or sorts that can help you track food and exercise. Here’s what you need to know, and why it might help you reach your weight-loss goals.
Tell me: What exactly is MyNetDiary?
Honestly, it’s pretty aptly named. MyNetDiary is a free website and mobile app that allows you to track what you eat and how much you exercise. According to the program’s website, MyNetDiary has a database of over 941,000 different foods for calorie-tracking purposes.
MyNetDiary also has an entire community to give you the “support and motivation to help you stick to your goals,” per the website. Their community forum is also monitored by a registered dietitian for extra support.
In addition to calorie counts, the program also keeps track of 36 different nutrients (like sodium, saturated fats, calcium, and so on).
I’m intrigued…but will MyNetDiary help me lose weight?
It definitely could. “Food logging is one of the most effective tools to use for weight control,” says Jacqueline Gomes Sgherza, RD. “A food diary can double your weight loss.”
That’s because calorie tracking is the key to weight loss, she says, assuming you’re being both truthful and accurate with your food logging.
iTunes/MyNetDiary
In fact, in a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, MyNetDiary (and MyNetDiary Pro) were selected as the top diet app out of 30 different weight-loss mobile apps. The study analyzed each of the apps on whether or not they included any of 20 behavioral strategies derived from an evidence-based weight-loss program, like individualization, presence of a community, and feedback.
According to the study authors, “Physicians interested in referring patients to weight-loss mobile apps should select apps such as MyNetDiary that are free and include the highest proportion of evidence-based strategies.”
Well, should I try MyNetDiary?
Gomes Sgherza says it best: “Yes, absolutely.”
Part of that, according to Gomez, is because the site and app is very user-friendly and takes hard-to-understand science jargon and makes it easier to digest. “It’s perfect for someone who is new to the idea of tracking their food,” says Gomes Sgherza. “There’s really no reason not to get signed up.”
One key to keep in mind, though: You need to be straight-up about your activity levels and food intake. “The system will use a calculation for your calorie level based on age, sex, height, and activity,” says Gomes Sgherza. This could get tricky. “If you set your activity level to high, your calorie recommendation may be too high and you will not be in the calorie deficit required to produce weight loss.”
You also need to pay attention to the details. “You’ve got to look through all the option for ‘chicken,’ for example, to be sure you select the closest match to what you just ate,” says Gomes Sgherza. That means selecting “chicken breast” instead of just a general chicken option.
Gomes Sgherza also recommends buying a digital scale to measure your own food. You’ll get an idea what five ounces of chicken (a typical serving, according to MyNetDiary) really looks like. All the better to properly eyeball when you’re out and about without your trust scale.
The bottom line: You really can’t go wrong with MyNetDiary as a scientifically-proven way to help you lose weight, as long as you use it as instructed.
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