In this technological age, dieting, meal preparation, and food tracking have become much more accessible. A number of food tracking apps are available that help you calculate calories and lose weight. But how would you know which apps are useful and which are just money grabs?
We want to help you lose weight, maintain that loss, and achieve your fitness goals. So, we have researched and compiled some of the best food tracking apps to assist you in meeting your objectives.
Here is our pick of the five top applications to keep track of your calories and the food you eat.
5 Best Food Tracking Apps
Health experts recommend the following five calorie-tracking apps. All the apps we picked have a free as well as a paid version. Choosing between the free and paid food tracking app depends on your requirements.
For instance, there is no need to opt for a subscription-based app if you just wish to have a calorie counter because most apps provide this for free. On the other hand, if your goal is to change lifelong habits, you need a structured program that will only be available in a premium version.
If you go with a premium membership, keep the cost in mind. Premium versions can be expensive and may require a monthly subscription to access all features.
- My Fitness Pal
MyFitnessPal is currently the top calorie counter. It allows you to track your weight and calculate your daily calorie intake. Moreover, an exercise log and a grocery diary are also a part of the program.
You can see how many calories you have eaten on the home page. The app also displays the calories you’ve burned by exercising and the calories you’ve consumed.
MyFitnessPal will likely be able to sync with your fitness tracking device and include its data in the exercise log. In addition to tracking your progress, the app has a chat feature, allowing you can interact with other users. Forum members share recipes, success stories, and tips that may be useful to you.
Furthermore, the app lets you log your favorite meals for convenience. You may also enter nutritional information regarding some packaged foods using MyFitnessPal’s barcode scanner.
The app will present a pie chart detailing your carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake. It is similar to the Nutrisystem diet plan, which caters to busy people wanting to maintain weight without going to extreme lengths.
MyFitnessPal has a free version, but for additional features such as recipe preparation, macronutrient counters, and guided fitness, you have to pay around $50 annually. Go for a 1-month free trial to see if the app fits your fitness goals.
- FatSecret
When it comes to calorie tracking, the secret to losing fat is FatSecret. In contrast to other apps, including some on this list, that bombard you with a long list of options, FatSecret is a straightforward yet full-featured app.
Keep track of your eating, exercise routine, and weight with FatSecret. There is a massive database of items you can add to your meal records. Moreover, a barcode scanner works with the database, along with Google Fit integration. Lastly, the app’s community allows users to share their success stories and tips.
With FatSecret’s “Challenges” feature, you can set up or join closed-door dietary challenges. A wealth of information is available for your dietary needs, as well as articles covering a wide range of topics.
A monthly subscription costs $6.99, a quarter subscription demands $19.99, while a yearly subscription goes for $38.99.
- LifeSum
The Lifesum app tracks food intake based on the concept – maintaining healthy habits starts with small changes. You can also track your daily calories and nutrition through barcode scanning and macro tracking.
Although the app aims to help improve healthy habits, it doesn’t forbid any food from being eaten for a healthy lifestyle. It uses constructive language without categorizing foods. Furthermore, Lifesum monitors hydration, body composition, and exercise levels and adjusts calorie intake goals accordingly.
There is no learning curve when it comes to using Lifesum. Its home page allows you to track calories, macronutrients, foods, and calories per meal by scanning a barcode or manually entering them. Additionally, you can create recipes, meals, and foods.
For an annual subscription, upgrading to premium starts at $4.17 per month. You can access extra information, such as nutrient breakdowns, recipes, and insights on selecting healthier foods.
- Cronometer
The Cronometer (abbreviated to calorie restriction with optimal nutrition) app has individual and professional versions designed for healthcare professionals. This app motivates you to acquire healthier eating habits by tracking calories, micronutrients, and macronutrients.
The best thing about Cronometer is that it provides you with all the essential functionality of a food-tracking application for free. You can calculate your calorie burn by logging your food intake, calorie intake, and exercise. You can also sync Cronometer with Apple Health and Google Fit to keep track of your biometric information.
Every user can find something to enjoy on Cronometer. Subscribe to the free service or upgrade to the ad-free Gold plan for $3.33 a month. Become a member, and you can access charts of long-term progress, calorie tracking, recipe databases, and other support tools.
- Protein Tracker
As its name indicates, Protein Tracker allows you to keep track of your protein intake. For people who work out and want to pack on lean mass, it helps ensure that their muscles receive enough protein. The app will calculate how much protein you have consumed each day based on the meals you enter.
Knowing how much protein is in your meal is important to meet your daily protein goals. If you look at your history, you may be able to add another chicken breast throughout the day and more grains at lunchtime. The app provides a handy way to visualize protein consumption, and as a result, it is a worthy addition to our list.
Summary
Food tracking apps help you lose weight, change eating habits, and track macronutrients. Most of these apps include tools for logging and tracking food (and calories); however, some are more efficient and simple. There is a free version of every app we have reviewed, but the premium features require a paid subscription.
