FAQ

Before you start Pro.

Every honest question we get, answered straight. If yours isn't here, email anyway.

Will it actually work for me

Will I lose weight using this?

Consistent logging can make weight-loss decisions easier to see. The trick is logging consistently. We made logging take nine seconds so consistency stops being a willpower question.

What if I've quit other trackers?

That's most of our users. The reason people quit isn't the goal — it's the two-minute logging tax per meal. Cut that to nine seconds and the loop stays alive.

What if I'm not trying to lose weight?

It still works. Set a maintenance target or a gain target. The math is the same.

Accuracy and sources

How accurate are the numbers?

For packaged food and chain restaurants — exact. For raw foods — within USDA tolerances. For homemade or fuzzy portions — flagged estimates. You always see which.

Where do the numbers come from?

USDA FoodData Central for raw foods, manufacturer labels for packaged, public menu data for chains, and reasoned best-guesses for everything else. Every entry shows its source.

What if it gets a meal wrong?

Tap, fix the portion or item, save. TrueCal remembers your correction for next time.

The app

Do I have to use ChatGPT?

No. iPhone and web are standalone. ChatGPT is there for people already living in it.

iPhone only? What about Android?

iPhone, web, and ChatGPT today. Android works through the web app and ChatGPT. Native Android is on the roadmap.

Barcode scanner?

It's in there. Most people stop using it after a week — typing is faster.

Photo logging?

Yes. Snap a plate, get a logged meal in about nine seconds. Same sources cited.

Money

What's the pricing?

Start with 14 days of Pro. Then Pro is $10/mo or $100/yr. Manual logging stays free after trial.

How do I cancel?

Settings, two taps. No dark patterns.

Discounts?

Student and hardship discounts — email hi@truecal.com. We say yes more than no.

Privacy

What do you do with my food log?

Store it so you can see it. That's it. No ads. No data sales. No third-party sharing.

Can I export everything?

CSV export is included with Pro. You can delete your account anytime from settings.

Can I delete everything?

One tap. Settings → Delete account. Gone in 24 hours, including backups.

Still nothing answered it?

Email hi@truecal.com. We read everything.

Start 14 days of Pro
FAQ depth

Full FAQ library

Plain answers about price, free logging, Pro features, privacy, and setup.

Looking for guides (not just FAQs)?

If you found TrueCal by searching “ChatGPT calorie tracker”, start with the hub guide and templates.

Browse all guides

Getting Started

plain answers for first-time users setting up TrueCal.

What is TrueCal?

TrueCal is an AI-assisted calorie tracking app that lets you log meals in plain English through ChatGPT.

How does TrueCal work with ChatGPT?

You describe what you ate in ChatGPT. TrueCal interprets the message, estimates portions, and logs calories and macros.

Do I need ChatGPT Plus?

No. TrueCal works with ChatGPT access in the web app. If you have Plus, it can make the experience faster, but it is not required.

How do I install TrueCal?

Sign in to TrueCal and start with the guided web or mobile experience. During your Pro trial, AI logging is available; after trial, manual meal logging stays free.

Is there a mobile app?

TrueCal is built for web and mobile use, so you can log from the device you already have.

Can I use TrueCal on my phone?

Yes. The experience is mobile-first and works in your phone browser or ChatGPT mobile app.

What languages are supported?

TrueCal supports English today. Additional languages are planned as the beta grows.

How do I get started?

Click "Start Your 14 Days of Pro," describe or snap your first meal, and let TrueCal create the log.

Is my data synced across devices?

Yes. Your logs are stored in your account and available on desktop and mobile.

Can I use TrueCal without ChatGPT?

Yes. Manual meal logging stays free after trial, and Pro keeps AI logging, macros, native agent tools, and saved-meal reuse available.

Is TrueCal available worldwide?

Yes. Anyone with web access can use TrueCal, and regional nutrition databases are expanding.

Logging Food

How TrueCal handles meals, portions, and accuracy.

How accurate is the calorie counting?

TrueCal provides best-available estimates based on food databases and typical portion sizes. You can always edit entries.

What foods can it track?

Most common foods, restaurant items, and packaged brands are supported.

Can it handle restaurant meals?

Yes. TrueCal recognizes popular chains and can estimate nutrition for custom meals.

What about homemade recipes?

Describe the recipe or list the ingredients, and TrueCal will estimate the per-serving nutrition.

Does it track macros?

Yes—during Pro or your 14 days of Pro access. After that, macros are hidden unless you upgrade.

Can I track alcohol?

Yes. Wine, beer, cocktails, and spirits can be logged in plain language.

How does it handle portion sizes?

TrueCal interprets phrases like half a bowl or two slices and lets you adjust if needed.

Can I edit logged entries?

Absolutely. Just tell TrueCal what to change and it will update the log.

What about branded foods?

TrueCal recognizes many branded items and will use the closest nutrition match when needed.

How do I log snacks?

Snacks work like any meal. Say snacked on a granola bar and TrueCal will add it.

Features & Pricing

Plan details, upgrades, and what's included.

Is TrueCal free?

Start with 14 days of Pro access (full features). After that, manual meal logging and calories stay free. AI logging, macros, native agent, saved-meal reuse, and custom goals require Pro ($10/mo).

What's included in the free plan?

Manual meal logging, calories, daily and weekly views, and meal history stay free. AI and ChatGPT logging, macros, native agent, saved-meal reuse, and custom goals require Pro after trial.

Do you have a premium plan?

Yes! Pro is $10/mo or $100/yr (save $20). It includes macros, the native agent on web and mobile, and meal templates.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. You can cancel anytime from your billing portal, and your free tier remains.

Do you offer refunds?

Yes. You can request a refund within 14 days of purchase with no exceptions or conditions. Email support@truecal.com.

Privacy & Data

Your logs are yours. Here's how we protect them.

Where is my data stored?

Data is stored securely in our cloud infrastructure and tied to your TrueCal account.

Do you sell my data?

No. We never sell your personal data or food logs.

Can I export my data?

Food-log downloads are not a public feature promise right now. You can delete your account or contact support for help with your data.

How do I delete my account?

You can delete your account from the app settings or contact support for help.

Is my food data encrypted?

Yes. We encrypt data in transit and at rest.

Nutrition Basics

Quick definitions for the nutrition terms you'll see.

What is TDEE?

TDEE stands for Total Daily Energy Expenditure, the number of calories your body burns in a day.

How do calories work?

Calories are a unit of energy. TrueCal records estimated calories from what you log.

What are macros?

Macros are macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. They make up the calories you eat.

What's the difference between calories and macros?

Calories tell you total energy, while macros show where those calories come from.

How does metabolism work?

Metabolism is the process your body uses to convert food into energy for daily functions and activity.

What is BMR?

BMR is Basal Metabolic Rate, the calories your body burns at rest.

What are net carbs?

Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber.

What are micronutrients?

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that support basic body functions, like iron, calcium, and vitamin D.

What's the thermic effect of food?

The thermic effect of food is the energy your body uses to digest and process what you eat.

What's the difference between simple and complex carbs?

Simple carbs digest quickly, while complex carbs digest more slowly and provide sustained energy.

Comparisons

How TrueCal stacks up against traditional trackers.

How is TrueCal different from MyFitnessPal?

TrueCal replaces manual searches with natural language and AI-assisted portion estimates.

TrueCal vs Lose It?

Lose It is a traditional tracker. TrueCal focuses on conversational logging through ChatGPT.

Why not just use ChatGPT directly?

TrueCal connects ChatGPT to a structured nutrition engine and keeps a persistent food log.

TrueCal vs Noom?

Noom emphasizes coaching programs. TrueCal emphasizes fast, frictionless food logging.

Is TrueCal better than manual tracking?

Most people log more consistently because TrueCal removes the tedious parts of manual tracking.

Still have questions?

Start your 14 days of Pro and see why conversational logging works.