Healthy eating apps are also called nutrition apps. They may encourage healthy eating by helping you make better food choices. Healthier food choices are mostly ‘whole’ or less processed foods. Choose unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats, foods with little or no added sugar and foods that are low in salt (sodium). Read more about healthy eating. On this page you will find information on:
App reviews – nutrition apps
The following nutrition apps have been reviewed.
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Excluded apps
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Tips on how to use nutrition apps safely
While nutrition apps have the potential to help you make healthier food choices, they must be used with caution. Here are some tips on how to use nutrition apps safely.
- Avoid getting too fixated and becoming overly obsessed with specific numbers each day, especially with features like calorie counting and portion size. This can lead you to lose sight of the overall nutrition picture. Being healthy isn’t just about the way you look or how much you weigh. Read more: What is healthy eating.
- Although nutrition apps may ask for your age, weight, height and gender, they do not have the sophisticated functionality to give you personalised diet advice best suited to your activity level and health needs. For personalised advice, it is best to seek professional advice from a dietitian or nutritionist. Read more: Dietitian and nutritionist – what is the difference? To find a registered dietitian in Auckland, see Auckland DHB nutrition and for all of New Zealand, see Find a dietitian.
- While weight loss is the main motivator for some people to use nutrition apps, be aware that goals like reaching a target weight within a target date must be realistic. Having unrealistic expectations can be harmful and lead to nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders. It is best to get professional advice about what is the best approach for you.
References
- Popular nutrition-related mobile apps: a feature assessment. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2016 Aug 1;4(3):e85
Disclaimer: Health Navigator’s app library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.