Counting calories and macros? There’s a food tracking app for that. But with so many options, choosing the Best Food Tracking App for your needs can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate the features, pros, and cons of popular food tracking apps to find the perfect fit for your health goals.
Most food tracking apps estimate your daily calorie needs based on factors like age, sex, weight, and activity level. However, for a more accurate estimate, consider using a reliable tool like the Body Weight Planner from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Tracking your actual calorie intake and monitoring weight changes over time provides the most personalized data.
Many apps adjust calorie budgets based on exercise logged or synced from fitness trackers. However, remember that activity trackers aren’t always accurate. Avoid double-counting exercise if your usual activity level is already factored into your initial calorie budget.
Accurately logging food intake requires paying attention to serving sizes. Use measuring cups, spoons, or a kitchen scale to verify portions, especially for foods like cereal, pasta, and nuts. Don’t forget to include added fats and oils used in cooking.
Cronometer app displaying nutritional information.
Prioritize using “checked” or verified data within the app. These entries have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness, ensuring reliable nutrient information. Look for apps like MyFitnessPal and Lose It! that offer verified data. For tracking micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, Cronometer excels with its comprehensive database.
While most food labels now list added sugar separately, many apps only track total sugar. Ignore any app-generated recommendations for total sugar intake, as health guidelines focus on limiting added sugars, not naturally occurring sugars in fruits and vegetables.
When tracking restaurant meals, use caution. Chain restaurants often have nutrition information available in app databases or on their websites. For non-chain restaurants, choose similar items from chain restaurant menus as a reference, rather than relying on packaged food labels, which typically have smaller serving sizes.
Remember that single-day data isn’t as important as long-term trends. Focus on weekly or monthly averages to gain meaningful insights into your dietary habits. While some apps offer basic averaging features for free, others require paid subscriptions for more in-depth analysis.
Cronometer app interface highlighting the barcode scanning feature.
Be wary of apps that promote non-standard metrics like “net carbs” or proprietary nutrition scores. Stick to tracking nutrients found on standard Nutrition Facts labels and consult with a healthcare professional for personalized dietary advice.
Utilize time-saving features like barcode scanning, recipe importing, and custom food or meal creation to simplify the tracking process. Many apps offer these features, but some may require paid subscriptions.
Bigger screens on tablets or desktop versions of apps can enhance the user experience. Look for apps with seamless cross-platform syncing for convenient tracking across devices.
Lose It! app demonstrating easy serving size adjustments.
Before committing to a paid subscription, explore free trials or free versions of different apps to determine which features best suit your needs. Consider factors like barcode scanning, recipe importing, long-term averaging, and the availability of verified data.
MyFitnessPal app interface showing the “Only” button for filtering verified food items.
Cronometer app displaying lab-analyzed nutritional data and source information.
