AI macro tracker — free macros, photo logging

How to set protein, carb, and fat targets, and use AI photo logging to fill them in seconds. Updated April 2026.

The short answer

Custom macro targets are free in Bodydex, paywalled 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 unlimited scans and the AI coach.

What an AI macro tracker actually has to do

Custom protein, carb, and fat targets

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 moves them to Premium ($19.99/mo).

Daily and weekly views

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 macro estimation

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.

Manual override on every entry

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.

Recipe builder with serving math

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.

Connection to weight, training, and protocols

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.

How to set macros in Bodydex

  1. 1. Open onboarding or Profile → Macros

    First time: macro setup is part of onboarding. Existing users: open the Profile tab and tap Macros.

  2. 2. Pick a goal preset or set custom targets

    Choose Cut, Maintain, or Gain to populate sensible defaults, or tap Custom and enter your own protein, carb, and fat targets in grams.

  3. 3. Confirm calorie target

    Bodydex computes calories from your macros (4·4·9 rule) and shows the result. Adjust macros if the calorie total is off.

  4. 4. Log a meal — manual or AI scan

    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.

  5. 5. Watch the daily ring close

    The home tab shows protein, carb, fat, and calorie rings filling as you log. Tap any ring for the day-by-day breakdown.

FAQ

Is macro tracking really free in Bodydex?

Yes. Custom protein, carb, and fat targets are part of the free tier with no paywall. Manual food logging, the barcode scanner, recipes, and a daily AI scan budget are also free. Premium unlocks unlimited AI scans and the AI nutrition coach with full chat.

Why does MyFitnessPal charge for macros?

MyFitnessPal moved custom macro goals into Premium ($19.99/mo or $79.99/yr) — the free tier shows percentage-based macros only. That's the single biggest reason serious lifters often look elsewhere. Bodydex keeps custom macros free.

How accurate is AI macro estimation?

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.

Does Bodydex have an adaptive macro algorithm like MacroFactor?

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.

Can I track GLP-1 medications and macros in the same app?

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.

Is my macro data private?

Food logs, weight, recipes, and protocols live in a local SQLite database on your iPhone — 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.

Related guides

GLP-1 tracker →

Track semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide doses alongside macros and weight.

vs MacroFactor →

Adaptive expenditure algorithm vs. AI scanning + free tier — full comparison.

Try Bodydex free

Free macros, AI photo scanning, recipes, and peptide tracking on iPhone.

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