How Meali works out your calories and macros

From a few words to a full meal

Tell Meali what you ate, in a sentence, a photo, or a voice note. It breaks the meal into foods and portions, then works out the calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fat for each. Voice notes become a transcript you can check before saving.

Your words stay right beside the numbers, so you can always see what they’re based on and spot anything that doesn’t match what you meant.

Still waiting on a number? It shows as pending, never as zero.

What makes the difference

A photo shows Meali a lot, but not everything. “A bowl of curry” could be a side or a main, made with coconut cream or with tomatoes. The details you add turn a good estimate into a close one.

• Portions: “One bowl” may refer to a small side or a large main course.
• Preparation: Fried, roasted, or steamed foods can involve different additions.
• Extras: Oil, dressings, spreads, and drinks may be absent from the photo or note.
• Recipe differences: Two dishes with the same name can use different ingredients and amounts.

You don’t need to write an essay. One or two details, like the size, the sauce, or how much you ate, usually make the biggest difference.

Fine-tune any meal

1. Compare the food list with your meal. Look for missing extras, duplicated foods, or an ingredient Meali assumed.
2. Check the amount you ate. If a dish was shared, record your portion. Review the quantity and unit together.
3. Add information you know. A package label, recipe, or published restaurant nutrition can give you a more specific value for that food and serving.
4. Correct the entry. Edit quantities and nutrition values directly, or describe what should change and get an updated estimate.

When using a package label, check whether its numbers are per serving or per package, and match them to how much you ate. The FDA’s guide to reading the Nutrition Facts label explains serving sizes and servings per container.

The best fixes say what was different: “No cheese, and I only had half the rice.” Meali takes it from there.

Keep it in perspective

Meali is built for the everyday: a clear record of what you ate and a good sense of your calories and macros, without weighing every bite. Daily totals add up your meals, so a day is only as complete as what you logged.

Meali is for general wellness, not medical advice. If you’re managing a medical condition or medication, work with a qualified professional rather than relying on meal estimates.

For more ideas, see examples of meal notes that make the details clear.