Meal Logging: Using the Food Library and Custom Foods

Using the Food Library and Understanding Custom Food Entries

If you’ve been logging your meals in the FoodMarble app but can’t always find the exact food you ate, you’re not alone. It can feel frustrating at times, and we want you to know we’re continually expanding the food library to make it easier for you.

In the meantime, this guide will help you understand why a food might be missing, how to make the most of the current library, and how to use custom entries when needed.

💡 Remember, every log you make is valuable — even if the FODMAP details aren’t available for a food. The more consistently you track, the clearer the picture becomes of how your unique digestion responds.

👉 To read our step-by-step meal logging guide - click here!

Filter and Find Your Foods

Screenshot 1 - Food Library Sort & Filter Options

This is the main Food Library screen.

• Use the search bar to find specific foods quickly.
• Tap Filter to narrow your results by category or FODMAP content.
• Use the A to Z sort option to view foods alphabetically or in reverse order.
• Toggle Personalized on or off to show results based on your own tolerance data.

Screenshot 2 - Food Library Filter Menu

This is the filter menu where you can refine your food search.

• Category filters: Choose from options like Fruit, Veg, Dairy, Grains, Nuts, Beverages, Snacks, and more.
• FODMAP content slider: Adjust to view foods that are low, medium, or high in FODMAP content.
• Specific FODMAP filters: Filter by types such as Fructose, Lactose, Sorbitol, Inulin, Mannitol, and others.
• Tap Apply to update your Food Library with your chosen filters.

How to Use the Food Library and Meal Logging Feature Effectively

Our food library is designed to be a guide and meal logging should be practical - not a test you need to get 100% right.

It helps you estimate the FODMAP content of your meals so you can become more aware of potential triggers. By logging regularly, you’ll start to see clearer connections between fermentation scores, symptoms, and the foods you eat.

💡 You don’t alway need to match your food down to the exact brand. Choosing the closest option will still give you a meaningful estimate of FODMAP content — and every log you make builds towards more useful insights.

Tip: When logging meals, focus on recording what you ate as accurately as you can, and rather than finding a perfect match. Consistency matters more than perfection when it comes to meal logging.

Why Some Foods Aren’t in the Library

FODMAP data is a relatively new field of nutrition research. While interest in this area is growing, it’s still far behind basic nutritional data i.e. calories, protein, and fat.

That means:

• FODMAP values aren’t always readily available.
• There are only a few extensive FODMAP databases worldwide.
• FoodMarble is one of the few apps that estimates FODMAP content for your meals and lets you log it day to day.

Why FODMAP Values May Differ Between Sources

You may notice differences between the values in the FoodMarble app and other sources like the Monash app. This is normal — and neither is necessarily “wrong.”

FODMAP content can vary due to:

• Food variety
• Growing conditions
• Country of origin
• How FODMAPs are measured and extracted

We gather information from multiple databases and research sources to give you the best possible estimates. We recommend using our food library and other trusted sources as guides rather than exact, fixed values.

If Your Food Isn’t Listed – Log it anyway!

If you can’t find a food in the library, don’t skip logging your meal.

Instead, create a custom food entry:

1. Open the app > click the + icon > On the Logging options screen select Meal
2. In the Search bar, type in your food
3. If the food's not found, select + Unlisted Ingredient > Create

Even without the FODMAP estimate, it’s still valuable to record what and when you ate. This information is extremely useful when looking back over your data for trends — especially if you’re working to manage digestive symptoms.

Help Us Grow the Database

We regularly add new foods to the FoodMarble library. If you notice something missing, send us a suggestion through the app or our support channels (Emails to: hello@foodmarble.com). We’ll be happy to consider adding it.

Key Takeaways

• The Food Library helps you estimate FODMAP content but may not have every food.
• Logging meals — even without FODMAP data — is still valuable for spotting patterns.
• Custom foods are a great way to fill in the gaps.
• FODMAP values will vary between sources for many reasons.

By using the Food Library alongside custom entries, you’ll build a complete and useful record of your meals, making it easier to identify trends and manage your digestive health over time.



Updated on: 01/09/2025