MarcoLearn
Restaurant calorie tracking tips
To track restaurant calories well: name the restaurant, describe the order and swaps, and include sizes when you know them. Marco matches published chain nutrition when available and asks clarifying questions instead of inventing a tidy number for a custom plate.
Text the order, not a vibe
“Healthy bowl” is vague. “Chipotle chicken bowl, brown rice, black beans, salsa, no cheese, no sour cream” is loggable. The second message is still faster than hunting menu SKUs in an app.
- “chipotle burrito bowl chicken brown rice black beans salsa no cheese”
- “2 slices domino's pepperoni”
- “souvla side greek salad, no pita”
Swaps matter
Dressing on the side, no mayo, grilled vs fried — these change macros a lot. Put swaps in the same text so matching does not assume the default build.
When chains lack data
Independent restaurants may not publish panels. Marco will clarify or use the closest honest match rather than hallucinating a fake menu item — a common chatbot failure.
Portions you did not finish
Say so: “half the sandwich,” “shared appetizer.” Leftovers and splits are normal; your log should reflect what you ate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I track Chipotle or similar chains?
Text the chain name plus proteins, bases, toppings, and omissions. Marco uses published facts when it can match the build.
What if I do not know the oil or butter used?
Say what you know. If the gap matters, Marco can ask a follow-up instead of silently assuming.
Is restaurant tracking hopelessly inaccurate?
It is less precise than weighed home cooking, but still useful — especially with chain data and clear customizations.
Ready to track by text?
Join the waitlist for early access. No app to download — once you’re in, you text Marco from the messaging app you already use.