The secret to losing weight is... Hmm, it's not really a secret: Burn more calories than you take in. When it comes to exercise, most of us have followed a workout program in the past. The hard part is keeping track of the calories. However, apps help with that very issue. They also offer insights into your eating habits that go beyond the numbers. For example, you may notice that skipping breakfast can lead to a midnight snack, or that a well-balanced dinner keeps you from snacking late at night.
“Simply recording your meals before or during them helps you think about your choices,” explains Jaclyn London, manager of Nutrition Lab, and shows us the best calorie tracking apps that will help you lose weight.
Fitbit
While the Fitbit tracker tracks your steps and activity, the app lets you take your calorie tracking to the next level. You can enter foods either manually or with the QR Code Scanner. A daily breakdown of your carb, protein, and fat intake lets you better understand how your food choices are affecting your overall health. “The app also provides detailed data on heart function, sleep quality, and more,” London tells us. “As for which tracker I’m testing, I like the Fitbit Versa for beginners and marathon runners.” But you don’t have to own a Fitbit to use the app: It can work with smartphone to track your steps.
Availability: Free for iOS and Android.
HealthyOut
When you're trying to lose weight, eat healthier, or manage dietary restrictions, dining out can seem overwhelming. HealthyOut can help you manage your dietary choices. For example, it can only suggest restaurant dishes that don't exceed your selected calorie count, providing protein, fat, and carbs along with additional criteria like low-carb and pescatarian options.
Availability: Free for iOS.
Lose It!
Lose It! features a personalized calorie budget based on your height, weight, age, and gender. You also have the choice of how you log your meals: search the food database , scan codes, or use the new Snap It feature, which lets you send a photo of your dish.
“The app syncs with your devices, whether it’s your iPhone, Fitbit, or other trackers,” London adds. “You can also connect with various communities and networks to keep you motivated on this weight loss journey.” For additional features, including creating wellness challenges, creating private support groups, and receiving daily or weekly progress logs, upgrade to the Premium version for $39.99 per year.
Availability: Free for iOS and Android.
MyFitnessPal
London calls MyFitnessPal the queen of diet and fitness trackers. “With over five million foods in the system, it’s easy to enter what you’ve eaten,” she tells us. “Plus, you won’t waste time trying to do the math on things like portion sizes and protein content.” The app remembers what you eat—so you don’t have to re-enter ingredients for a recipe—and you can calculate the calories for recipes uploaded from other websites. For $49.99 per year, you can buy more features like deeper analysis of your eating habits, VIP support, and an ad-free experience.
Availability: Free for iOS and Android.
Nutritionix Track
Users praise Nutritionix Track for its simple calorie tracking. London praises it for the quality of the nutritional information it provides. “It can combine the calorie content of common packaged foods and restaurant items with everyday fresh foods,” she tells us. This tracking feature makes it great for people who eat mixed meals. Registered dietitians created a database, and you can log your diet by speaking into the app. “It’s also a huge resource for healthcare professionals,” says London. Through the Track Pro Coach Portal ($5.99 per month), you can share your food diary with your coach or dietitian.
Availability: Free for iOS and Android.
Rise
The app connects you with a registered dietitian for personal guidance and daily support, advice and encouragement. Simply take photos of your meals and snacks for your dietitian to review and give you feedback.
You can also chat about your workouts and any other weight-loss challenges. Monthly memberships start at $49. But London says it’s worth the investment. “It’s like having a scientific expert and a personal trainer with you at all times,” she tells us. “Whereas on many apps you’re talking to people who call themselves ‘coaches’ or ‘nutritionists,’ with Rise you have real-time access to a real dietitian.”
Availability: You will find it on iOS.
