The Power of Nutrition Apps: Tips on Which Apps to Try

May 20, 2024

Este artículo también está disponible en español. Haz clic aquí para leer la versión en español.
Losing weight is challenging, nothing about it is easy, right? So, in order to face the challenge, try utilizing some health and nutrition apps to motivate you by providing you with practical tools and resources. As a bilingual bariatric registered dietitian, I understand the importance of leveraging technology, therefore let me share with you a few nutrition apps I recommend to consider trying. I will explore some of the best nutrition and health apps available, offering insights into how they can be effectively utilized to optimize nutrition, promote weight loss, and enhance overall well-being.

Do you track your macros or food intake when you are trying to lose weight? I find that when my patients do track what they are eating and how much they are eating, it makes a huge difference in their outcomes for weight loss. Baritastic is a great app I always recommend with my patients to track your daily food intake and provides detailed breakdowns of macronutrients and calorie consumption. By inputting meals and snacks, you will gain insight into your nutritional habits, helping you make informed decisions about portion sizes and food choices. Additionally, Baritastic offers a barcode scanner feature, making it easy to scan packaged foods accurately. For individuals aiming to lose weight, tracking calorie intake can be particularly beneficial, as it creates awareness and accountability, ultimately helping you reach your goals. You can also track hydration, measurements, exercise, and so much more. I personally use Baritastic with my patients because they offer great reports and patients can share them with me via email. This way, I can offer recommendations, suggestions, and changes to their food intake to support their weight loss efforts.

In order to lose weight successfully for the long-term, meal planning is key. I always suggest planning your meals for at least, the same day, if not two days in advance or more depending on your work schedule. This way, when you have a plan and stick to it, you will make better food choices and reduce the urge to make impulsive decisions, which are often poor food choices. Mealime is an easy to use app that makes the meal planning process simple, offering personalized recipes based on your dietary preferences, allergies, and nutritional goals. The meal plans are customizable. They also provide you with a grocery list based on the recipes you choose. And, then, if you want to upgrade, it is only $2.99 a month and then you can access more recipes, learn the nutritional breakdown of the recipes, and more. The most important part of this though is dedicating the time to plan and prepare meals in advance. This way, you can make better food choices, save money, and cut down on food waste.

Trying to understand all the nutrition advice on the web can be overwhelming and confusing. Fortunately, apps like MyPlate, Fooducate, and Yuka are great apps to empower you in making healthier choices. MyPlate provides you with personalized recommendations for your daily food intake based on your individualized goals and preferences, while Fooducate evaluates different food products, giving them a letter grade based on their nutritional quality. Yuka is another app I use often while grocery shopping. Yuka takes the guesswork out of understanding all the ingredients listed on the food labels. By simply scanning the barcode of any item, Yuka generates a clear and easy-to-understand rating, indicating the product's overall nutritional quality and highlighting any potential additives, preservatives, or allergens. This makes it easier to choose the right foods that align with your dietary preferences and health goals.

Incorporating nutrition and health apps into your lifestyle can be a game-changer in your weight loss journey towards better health.

Remember, the key to long-term success is also about consistency, determination, and patience. As a registered dietitian, I encourage you to try some of these nutrition apps that are available and find the ones that work best to help you reach your goals.

Joan Z Cornier, RDN, LDN, CDCES, also known as FaceTime Dietitian, is a Bilingual Virtual Registered Dietitian.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joan Z Cornier, RDN, LDN, CDCES, also known as FaceTime Dietitian, is a Bilingual Virtual Registered Dietitian and also a Certified Diabetes Care Education Specialist. In the last nearly 10 years, she has had the honor to have helped nearly 3,500 bariatric patients in their weight loss journey. She works closely with many bariatric surgeons in Florida and Georgia educating their patients to be successful before, during, and after bariatric surgery. She offers practical, realistic, and culturally sensitive nutrition advice in both English and Spanish.

---