How to set protein, carb, and fat targets, and use AI photo logging to fill them in seconds. Updated July 2026.
Custom gram-level macro targets are free in BodyDex, Premium-gated in MyFitnessPal ($19.99/mo). AI photo logging fills macros in seconds; the multi-item scanner returns estimated grams + protein/carb/fat for each item on the plate. When the AI guess is off, swap to a verified entry from FatSecret, USDA, or Open Food Facts in one tap. Premium ($9.99/mo or $79.99/yr) unlocks AI photo scans and the AI coach.
A real macro tracker lets you set your own targets, not pick from a preset list. BodyDex keeps custom macros in the free tier; MyFitnessPal gates custom gram-level macro goals behind Premium ($19.99/mo) — its free tier keeps the default daily macro totals.
Some days you over-shoot, others you under-shoot. A weekly view tells you whether you're on average where you want to be — more useful than obsessing over a single day.
AI photo scanning gets you 80% of the way there for the meals you don't want to weigh and log. BodyDex's scanner is multi-item per photo so a full plate logs in one capture.
AI estimates are useful, not perfect. Every scanned item should be one tap away from a verified database entry so you can fix portion or item identification mistakes.
Cook once, log many times. A recipe builder that computes macros per serving turns a 5-minute log into a 5-second log for foods you make at home.
Macros only matter in context. A tracker that lives in the same app as weight, workouts, and peptide / GLP-1 doses lets you actually see what's working.
First time: macro setup is part of onboarding. Existing users: open the Profile tab and tap Macros.
Choose Cut, Maintain, or Gain to populate sensible defaults, or tap Custom and enter your own protein, carb, and fat targets in grams.
BodyDex computes calories from your macros (4·4·9 rule) and shows the result. Adjust macros if the calorie total is off.
Use the Search tab for verified database entries, the barcode scanner for packaged foods, or the center scan button to capture a photo. AI scans return identified items with portions you can confirm or correct.
The home tab shows protein, carb, fat, and calorie rings filling as you log. Tap any ring for the day-by-day breakdown.
Yes. Custom protein, carb, and fat targets are part of the free tier with no paywall. Manual food logging, the barcode scanner, and recipes are also free. AI photo scanning, voice food logging, and the AI nutrition coach are Premium features (7-day free trial available).
MyFitnessPal gates custom gram-level macro goals behind Premium ($19.99/mo or $79.99/yr) — the free tier still shows daily default macro totals, but you can't set precise gram targets without paying. That's the single biggest reason serious lifters often look elsewhere. BodyDex keeps custom macros free.
Photo-based macro estimation is useful for trends and within roughly 10–20% on portion size. For precision (cutting prep, competition), weigh and log manually. For everyday logging, AI scans are the fastest way to keep a real macro log going. Every AI entry is one tap away from a verified database swap.
Not yet. MacroFactor's adaptive expenditure algorithm is genuinely best-in-class for cutting / lean bulking / recomp. BodyDex uses fixed targets you set during onboarding (recalculable any time). Adaptive expenditure is on our roadmap. If the adaptive algorithm is your single must-have feature, see the full comparison at /compare/bodydex-vs-macrofactor.
Yes. BodyDex was built for this — track macros, weight, and GLP-1 doses (semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide) side by side. See the GLP-1 tracker guide for details.
Food logs, weight, recipes, and protocols live in a local SQLite database on your device — there is no centralized BodyDex database of user food entries. AI photo scans are sent to BodyDex's server only for analysis; the photo isn't saved to your food log or used to train any model.
Multi-item photo recognition, free macros, no ads, on-device data.
Track semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide doses alongside macros and weight.
Adaptive expenditure algorithm vs. AI scanning + free tier — full comparison.
Free macros, AI photo scanning, recipes, and peptide tracking on iPhone or Android.
Get BodyDex on the App StoreGet BodyDex on Google PlayPricing and features verified July 2026 from each publisher's public marketing pages and app-store listings — products evolve, so always confirm current details on the publisher's site before deciding. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.