Top 5 things to look for in food tracking apps

food tracking app / image source: damnripped.com

food tracking app / image source: damnripped.com

Top 5 things to look for in a food-tracking app

There are countless fitness apps that promise to make tracking your diet and exercise fast and easy. Some boast five star reviews and testimonials while others appear with nothing less than a brief description. Like many of you, I’ve downloaded an app or two (or twelve…) only to find it unsuited to my needs. Lack of instructions, a small food database, unintuitive interfaces, and ads can all turn your new fitness companion into something that is quickly uploaded to the cloud and forgotten.

The goal of any fitness app should be that it is something you want to actually use. Tracking a meal should take no more than five minutes. Otherwise, it’s a hindrance and not a help.

Here are five things to look for when deciding which app is right for you:

  1. It is has scanning functionality. This is probably the most important element you want in your tracking app. By allowing the app to connect with your camera, it can quickly scan and input nutritional information directly from labels. You won’t have to complete the fields of calories, fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Scanning makes it simple to enter your meal.
  2. It’s been around for a while. A more established app will have a greater database of food to choose from. Many popular apps allow users to add new items to an aggregated database so there’s more chance a barcode or restaurant item is recognized in the future.
  3. It remembers your favourite and previous meals. When we start making more conscious diet choices, there’s a strong chance we are going to be eating the same things more frequently. Apps that allow you to save your favourite foods, recognize previous meals, or allow you group commonly used items will save you time.
  4. It fits your goals. Whether you’re calories counting or just tracking to figure out what food gives you heartburn, there’s an app for that. With so many specific dietary choices, you want to find the right app for you. This means there’s no point downloading a keto-specific app if you are practicing intuitive eating. If you like to share and get support from a community, many apps highlight this. Others will never prompt you to share with virtual friends. Do your research about the features of different apps to understand what makes them special.
  5. It is clear about its payment structure. It may say “free” in the little bubble next to the download button but does that mean you’ll be bombarded with ads that will prevent you from getting to the next screen? Some apps will give you initial access to a full version of the app for a limited time before it locks you into a monthly payment plan or a lite free version. There are plenty of free apps that may fit your needs but there are also paid upgrades that are more aligned with your goals. This decision is yours to make so don’t be fooled into paying for automatic fees or subscriptions if it’s not valuable.

It may take a while to sift through the many food tracking apps out there but there is one out there that’s perfect for you.

What food tracking apps have you benefited from—and which ones would you recommend against? Let us know so we can compile a list and get others on the right tracking track!

We wish you a merry Fit-mas: TrainingSpaces’ holiday gift guide

Image source: bengreenfieldfitness.com

Image source: bengreenfieldfitness.com

We wish you a merry Fit-mas: TrainingSpaces’ holiday gift guide

Giving gifts can be difficult. With a list that extends to include everyone from that secret Santa person you never met to your closest friends, the holidays can be overwhelming — not to mention expensive.

And what about those fit people in your life? Whether they are a five-times-a-week yogi or an occasional walker, here’s a gift guide to help the people you love stay healthy into 2019.

 

Fitbit options / Image source: T3.com
Tech gadgets: Nobody ever unwraps fitness technology and asks for a gift receipt. There are so many options available for the tech-loving fitness buff in your life. From smart watches to clip-on trackers, these devices track data and allow you to see trends.
Image source: GetWellToday.net
Subscriptions: We’ve talked before about the range of fitness apps that are available for download. From food trackers to fitness routines, there are countless apps that can help you stay on track. While many lite free versions of these apps exist, you may want to gift the full version so your recipient can take full advantage of what the app has to offer. Even unlocking a premium subscription to Spotify or Apple Music can help make someone’s workouts commercial-free.
Class gift certificates: A number of studios in Toronto offer gift certificates that will help get you into shape. You can even gift ClassPass so it’s up to your friend to decide which class is right for him or her.
Class gift certificates: A number of studios in Toronto offer gift certificates that will help get you into shape. You can even gift ClassPass so it’s up to your friend to decide which class is right for him or her.
Image source: toptenzilla.com
Workout accessories: While you might want to gift your beloved a Peloton fitness system, it might be a little too expensive. However, Winners and other discount stores offer a number of fitness accessories at unbeatable prices. From resistance bands to yoga blocks, you can pick up high-quality items to enhance any workout. Workout accessories are always appreciated — and something people often don’t buy for themselves.
Image source: New York Magazine
Workout gear: Many of us don’t splurge on expensive workout clothing. A high-quality Dri-FIT t-shirt will be treasured by your fitness fanatic friend. It’s a thoughtful gesture that will be immediately welcomed.
Water bottles for holiday gift guide / Image source: thewirecutter.com
Water bottles: Have we said enough how important hydration is? How about saving the planet so it’s not littered with plastic bottles? There are so many brands of water bottle out these days to compete with the disposable options. Whether it’s aluminum or BP-free plastic, find a stylish bottle that can accompany a workout.

Here are just a few suggestions. Did we miss anything you’ve gifted recently to an active friend? Let us know and we’ll put together a part 2 of this list.