What affects calorie and macro accuracy
- Portion size: “chicken and rice” is much less precise than “200g chicken, one cup cooked rice.”
- Cooking fat and sauces: oils, dressings, butter, and restaurant sauces can change calories quickly.
- Brand differences: packaged foods and protein shakes can vary a lot, so barcode scanning often helps.
- Meal complexity: simple meals are easier to estimate than mixed dishes, casseroles, buffets, or shared plates.
How to improve AI food diary accuracy
Add quantities when you know them, mention brands for packaged foods, scan barcodes when available, and correct entries that look wrong. Over time, the habit matters more than making every single entry perfect on the first try.