Weighing and logging food is a super helpful tool in training our eyeballs to recognize more specific portion sizes. During food logging adventures, we are bound to begin diving into recipes rather than individual food items. Logging recipes can be extremely helpful for switching up typical meals each week or grouping together similar daily food items to make logging even quicker. 

We like the app Cronometer as  it’s by far the most accurate tracking database and provides a lot of data that can be helpful along your macro tracking journey.

USING CRONOMETER

Logging a recipe in Cronometer can seem like a giant headache of a task, but it really is quite simple!

If you ever get stuck along the way, Cronometer includes a link to a self-help recipe article in the top right corner of the app.

Just like with any new task, the more that you practice logging a recipe the easier (and faster) you will be at it! Cronometer makes it so you can add a recipe by either copying and pasting the URL of the website or adding in individual ingredients yourself. 

Option one: Import the Recipe URL

This is the most convenient method of adding a recipe into your food log. Simply copy and paste the URL of the recipe’s website into Cronometer, double check auto-filled ingredients and portions, and then click “save changes” to create a new recipe. Here is a step by step guide:

1. Click “Foods”

2. Click “Custom/Create Recipes”

3. Click “Import Recipe”

4. Paste entire URL**

5. Double check foods/servings/macros for accuracy

6. Click “Save Changes”

7. To add to your food diary: “Add Food,” “Custom,” click recipe name from your list (or search recipe name under “All” and your custom recipe will pop up)

**Cronometer is always adding new recipes into its database, but may not have the specific recipe of the URL you pasted. If the URL isn’t compatible, use Option 2 below.

Option two: Adding a Recipe Step by Step

Creating a recipe that you have made or adding one from the internet is an easy way to account for creativity in the kitchen or condense foods that you eat on a daily basis into a one-click item. Instead of adding multiple food items each and every day to your food diary you can either copy and paste a previous day's food or use the steps below to create a new recipe. 

1. Click “Foods”

2. Click “Custom/Create Recipes”

3. Type in recipe name

4. Click “Add Ingredient” and begin to add the entirety of the ingredients you are using for the recipe (ex: 16 ounces of raw chicken breasts, 400g diced tomatoes, 112g sharp cheddar shredded cheese)

5. Once all ingredients have been added, click “Next”

6. Choose “Servings Based” or “Weight Based”**

-If your recipe lists # of servings, choose “Servings Based” (most common)

-Choosing “Weight Based” will give you the entire recipe’s weight in grams as well as the option to input your chosen # of grams (“Servings Based” will do this as well)

7. Optional: add notes to the recipe, click “Next”

8. You will now be shown the serving sizes(s) and macronutrients for your recipe

9. Click “Save Recipe” and recipe will be saved to your “My Recipes” tab under “Foods”

10. To add to diary: “Add Food,” “Custom,” click recipe name from your list (or search recipe name under “All” and your custom recipe will pop up)

Ready to Eat? How to Weigh and Log

You have the recipe created in Cronometer, now it’s time to eat! You will see that your custom recipe shows a few options under “Serving Size”: 

1. “g” (weight in grams)

2. “Serving size - __ g” (how much 1 serving weighs in grams)

3. “Full recipe - __ g” (how much the entire recipe weighs in grams)

The standard weight measurement for recipes created in Cronometer is listed in grams. All food scales will have a “grams” setting. If you are not using a food scale at the moment, no worries! When you choose “Servings Based” or “Weight Based” in the initial recipe creation, you can also add another unit of measurement for your servings (ex: cups). Cronometer will also generate a weight in grams based on the servings (or cups) you list. 

Storing recipes as a batch-made meal in one large container can give you more variety during the week (mix-and-match sides with your recipe) as well as more freedom in adjusting portion sizes during the week. When you are ready to eat, simply place your desired plate/bowl onto your food scale, press “tare” to zero the scale, add the desired portion of your recipe, then log that weight (in grams) into Cronometer from your saved recipe. 

Protein is typically the macronutrient that can run a bit low if we do not pay attention to it, so basing servings of a recipe off of your desired protein content can be helpful. For example, if I know I am going to need 6 ounces of chicken with lunch each day and I purchased 42 ounces (2.6lbs) of chicken, I will list my recipe as “7 servings” to ensure that 6 ounces of chicken makes it into each serving in my recipe (and I reach my protein goal for the day!). 

*Bonus tip: grab an expo marker and write out how many grams is in one serving of your recipe (remember, Cronometer calculates this for you) on the outside of your container for even quicker weighing + logging!

It looks like a lot, I know, but I promise it gets easier once you just give it a try. Also, once you have added commonly used recipes/meals to your database, you can then go in and easily adjust future recipes or batches. It’s a little extra work up front but it pays off in terms of convenience and ease down the road.

If you have any other questions about using Cronometer, you can always comment below or check out Cronometer’s very thorough help page.

We believe that tracking macros can be a very beneficial temporary tool for helping you gain a better understanding of your eating habits and behaviors. We know it can seem overwhelming at first, but that’s why we provide highly individualized coaching to support you through the process and help you find a way to make your nutrition easy and sustainable for you. You can learn more about our personalized 1:1 Flexible Nutrition Coaching here.