Have no doubt: for most of us, going on a diet – or even just trying to permanently change our eating habits for the better – can be a difficult task.
On top of resisting temptations, planning meals and grocery shopping correctly can be a trial, and keeping track of what we’ve eaten can fall to the wayside if we’re busy, forget or simply don’t enjoy tracking it.
Luckily, these apps make it easier to wrestle with our daily bread, and can even be fun, too. Read on to learn more about our favorite amongst them; for now, we’ve only chosen three, but there’s dozens more on the market that are worth exploring! Stay tuned for our reviews of several of the best fitness apps out there, coming soon.
Its title belies the plan: Eat This Much seeks to simplify dieting by removing the element of calorie counting and giving you plans for what to eat, and how much of it, for each meal. You do need to input your daily calorie allotment when starting your program, and can also select from various diet plans to further specify your suggested meals (options include paleo, vegetarian, vegan, keto, Mediterranean or “anything”). Your meals outline your “macros” (amounts of carbs, fat, protein and overall calories) in each meal and per day, which you can edit before planning meals so as to have the meal generator match them as closely as possible. You can even set foods to recur, add to your favorites, or be blocked permanently if you don’t like them.
In addition, this app allows you to prepare your grocery list in advance – a grocery list will arrive automatically on your designated shopping day, after you’ve reviewed your meals for the week. It even saves unused groceries in a virtual pantry, so you know what is available to you.
My Fitness Pal is a favorite amongst dieters and fitness fiends alike, as the fully-customizable app allows for easy tracking of calories based on weight or volume, and includes tens of thousands of pre-registered foods in its database. Search “Craft Mac N’ Cheese,” for example, and the box’s carbs/fat/protein ratios will show up along with different portion options. If you weigh your food, most items can be delineated by weight, as “100 grams” of apple is more concise than “one medium apple.” The app helps you learn what your results will be if you stick with a certain caloric amount, and makes your macros and consumed calories very easy to visualize by the day or week.
You can also track a variety of different exercises, for which the caloric burn can be customized based on an algorithm that automatically considers your body weight and height.
Yes, you can go out to eat on a diet – it may just take a little more planning! With Healthy Out, you can map out the best choices in the area you’re looking to dine by plugging in your address, then specifying your dietary restrictions (anything from gluten free to low-carb), the type of cuisine you’re craving, and the ingredients involved. Not only will the app provide you with matching options in the area, but it will also give you the healthiest option on each menu.
If you’re still in need of a human element to kick off your diet, all of Future Fitness Centers’ 6 gyms near Moorestown offer free access to a Registered Dietitian to all of our members, to give you a professional advantage in planning your new, healthy lifestyle. Give us a call to find out more!