17 Best Weight Loss Apps for 2024 Top Calorie-Counting Apps
One way to achieve this is to include an exercise library featuring multiple workouts of different levels like Pilates, HIIT, strength training, and yoga. Furthermore, guided programs for different fitness goals, whether weight loss, muscle building, or endurance, improve engagement rates. Best fitness and nutrition apps add more value by incorporating instructional videos and customized workout recommendations. Planning your meals and staying on track with your nutritional goals is easy, though not particularly speedy. And while advanced tools like macro recording and an intermittent fasting tracker require an upgraded paid subscription, food logging and goal setting is quite detailed with a free account. Establish a regular tracking routine, perhaps logging meals immediately after eating or planning the next day’s menu each evening.
- "Just make sure to never go below 1,200 calories a day, as this can lead to extreme hunger, micronutrient deficiencies and more adverse side effects," says Sassos.
- Here’s a look at the best nutrition apps of 2026 that make being healthy not just possible, but practical.
- Using advanced formulas and simple-to-use food groupings, the Carb Manager allows you to quickly determine the number of carbohydrates in any food or recipe.
- This diversity prevents meal fatigue and ensures adequate nutritional intake across different food groups, with particular attention to protein needs for muscle recovery and growth.
- MyFitnessPal’s barcode scanner also allows you to enter the nutritional information of some packaged foods instantly.
- However, a person needs to already understand their personal nutritional needs for this app to be useful.
It’s worth noting that some 2019 research has linked MyFitnesspal usage to disordered eating habits. Though, the effect of this research and others like it may extend to other calorie tracking apps, too. Tracking foods and logging calories are not always necessary for healthy weight loss. If you’re trying to gain or lose weight, it’s important to find methods that are effective and don’t have a negative impact on your physical or mental health. Garmin, maker of fitness watches (among other things), announced this week that the subscription tier of the Garmin Connect app will now include nutrition tracking.
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"As a dietitian, I recommend MyFitnessPal because they have an extensive database," Barkyoumb says. You can track calories for over 18 million foods, which is one of the largest food databases we have seen. "Food tracking apps are digital tools that help you log and track your food intake," explains Arizona-based registered dietitian Gillean Barkyoumb, M.S., R.D.N., owner of the What's for Dinner Club. "You can usually add foods either by searching their database, inputting food details manually or some apps allow you to scan barcodes of packaged goods." Goal-setting is one of the most important aspects of a weight loss plan, and Lose It!
Cronometer: Calorie Counter
Upgrade to the premium version for the most features (including a barcode scanner) and to integrate with other health and fitness devices, including Apple Health and Fitbit. "The barcode scanner makes it easy to input foods and have an accurate analysis of your dietary intake," Barkyoumb adds. According to Sassos, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to weight loss and management. Although some of these apps may give suggested allotted calories for weight loss, it’s best to meet with a registered dietitian who can help you determine the number of calories you should consume to lose weight.
Many nutrition professionals use a mix of consumer-facing apps and professional platforms, often choosing tools that allow detailed nutrient tracking and easy data sharing with clients. The best choice often depends on whether they prioritize behavior coaching, medical nutrition therapy, or performance-focused work. Choosing a nutrition app is a lot easier when you’re clear on what you need it to do for your real life, not someone else’s ideal routine.
Calorie Counter +
Lifesum is a popular app that helps simplify weight loss with tools like a recipe library, food log, and calorie counter. MyFitnessPal is a powerhouse app, with an enormous food database, barcode scanner, recipe importer, restaurant logger, food insights, calorie counter, and so much more. Although the app is free, you can upgrade to a paid account for access to premium features, including custom nutrition labels, daily averages, and advanced statistics on your nutrient intake and overall progress. If you’re trying to identify food intolerances, mySymptoms can help you understand how your body reacts to different foods, says Russell. “It tracks food, bowel health, stress, sleep, mood, periods, medications, and symptoms, so you can begin to uncover any trigger foods,” she explains. Not only can you view trends in frequency and intensity for your diet and symptoms to see if any patterns emerge, but the app will also create a report to share directly with your healthcare provider.
While it works globally, it is particularly famous for having one of the most accurate databases for diverse regional and home-cooked cuisines that other apps often struggle to categorize. Cronometer is widely considered the “gold standard” for accuracy and detail, making it a favorite for researchers, athletes, and nutrition nerds. Unlike other apps that rely heavily on user-generated data, Cronometer prioritizes lab-verified sources to ensure the highest level of data integrity. It is specifically designed for people who want to track much more than just calories, offering a deep dive into over 80 different micronutrients.
Connectivity also matters—look for apps that sync seamlessly with your favorite smartwatch or fitness platform. When researching and evaluating food tracking apps specifically, we look for ease of use, robust food databases, community support and up-to-date and effective information. The digital landscape is filled with nutrition apps promising to transform your eating habits.
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The interface is clean and simple, making it super easy to navigate, and you can create and save your own recipes for quicker logging and meal planning. While basic membership is free, the premium membership offers upgrades like a barcode scanner (which used to be part of the free subscription), a new intermittent fasting guide, custom macro tracking and an ad-free experience. But if the paid version isn't in your budget, the app also offers a lot of great features for free. Just take note that while this app has a large food database, many dishes have been added by individual users and entries are not verified for accuracy, which can leave room for error. Track calories, eat healthier and reach your goals with Yazio's free calorie counter app! Yazio is your all-in-one solution, whether you're aiming for a calorie deficit, tracking meals or looking for an advanced AI food tracker.
Best Food Tracking Apps Of 2025 To Stick To Any Eating Plan, According To Dietitians
If you notice you’re particularly tired one day, and you’ve been tracking your meals, you can see if you were lacking in any macronutrients or did not eat enough calories. On the flip side, you can also gauge if you’re in a brighter mood on days you work out. Anyone who has taken out a paid Garmin Connect+ subscription can use this feature to scan food, either via a barcode or by holding a dish in front of their smartphone camera, and AI is supposed to recognize what it is.
Best for Garmin Users
That's because the reviews on unimeal amount of water you need can vary depending on your activity level, where you live, medical conditions, and other factors. If you want to set a daily goal we recommend consulting with your primary care physician to make sure you're on the right track. Under the settings, there's an option to set a custom reminder that will notify you if you haven't logged anything that day.
Shortcuts allow for quicker and easier tracking — ideal for people who are deterred by documenting their daily intake. The app also gives you a LifeScore, which is daily points based on your food intake and activity that gives users a positive goal to hit. The app also provides users with personalized tips and advice, such as checking in to see if hydration needs are being met. Nourishly “is a non-diet nutrition and wellness app” that “allows users to journal meals, mood, symptoms, and activities,” Young says. While it might not be for everyone, chronicling your meals and food intake can be a useful grounding force on a nutrition journey, according to Young.
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You'll be able to take advantage of a ton of features on the free version, including full access to its food tracker, barcode scanner, calorie planning, weight tracker, water tracker and step tracker. Between all the special features, this is one of the best free food tracking apps in terms of the amount of features it offers on the unpaid plan. The best fitness and nutrition apps are incomplete without an effective tracking system.
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Research from PMC shows consistent tracking correlates with significant weight loss, making a calorie tracker essential for health-conscious individuals. Whether you’re aiming for a calorie log to balance nutrition or manage specific health conditions, these tools provide actionable insights for a healthier lifestyle. The importance of these tools lies in their ability to bridge the gap between health goals and daily actions through data-driven awareness. In a world where portion sizes are often misunderstood and processed foods contain hidden ingredients, nutrition tracking apps offer a clear “window” into exactly what is being consumed. They empower users to make informed decisions, whether they are trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or manage chronic health conditions like diabetes or hypertension. If you’re new to food tracking, MyNetDiary lets you select a diet that fits your lifestyle (for example, low-carb, keto, vegan, calorie counting, and more) and guides you to set weekly targets and goals, says Russell.
Why use a calorie counter app?
Garmin Connect will let you scan bar codes, you can search through the food database manually. Or use “AI-powered image recognition” to recognize food items in real life using a phone camera. While technology has made it easier, the process still relies on users’ discipline — and even their memory, if they log their intake afterward. Counting calories may be especially unsafe for people with a history of disordered eating. Lastly, some https://www.cspi.org/article/our-guide-food-tracking-apps apps also provide accountability, which is key when aiming for consistency, a determining factor for weight loss success.