5 Apps That Will Help You Eat Better

There are so many nutrition and fitness apps hitting the market that you just don’t know which to try. I set out to find some apps that may not be on your radar and are worthy of space on your smartphone.

 

HealthyOut

Cost: Free

There are now more options than ever for healthy eating when dining out. This app helps you find the best dishes at both chain and non-chain restaurants. Categories include heart healthy, high protein, lactose free, low calorie, low fat, vegetarian, vegan, and more. It’s a quick and easy way to sift through long menus to find choices that are better for you.

 

Food Intolerances

Cost: $5.99

If you have strict dietary intolerances or allergies, this app may be right for you. Those who have conditions like histamine intolerance, fructose malabsorption, sorbitol intolerance, gluten sensitivity or low FODMAP diet will likely find it a helpful tool. The database of hundreds of foods tells you if the food is allowable with the food sensitivity. A con of the app is that it categorizes all processed foods the same, such as a regular tomato sauce verses one that was created specifically to be low FODMAP-friendly.

 

Lifesum

Cost: Free

When it comes to making healthy changes to our own habits, many nutrition experts will tell you to make small, attainable goals. Once you keep up with a small change for at least 6 months, it becomes a habit. This app helps you attain these small goals, by setting reminders and providing feedback on how to improve your diet.

 

Luvo CheckIt

Cost: Free

CheckIt is a mobile nutrition label reader designed to help consumers make better informed and balanced food choices. The app works by scanning the barcode of any packaged food item, at which point the user is provided with insight on the food’s nutritional value along with responding to the burning question, “Is this product good for me?” The insight is pretty simple with a basic yes or no with an explanation of why, but a sliding scale in terms of a products healthfulness (like 0-10) would have been more useful. For anyone who wants quick feedback, it’s easy to use (just scan on the products barcode) and get a response within about 5 seconds.

 

Instacart

Cost: Free; Delivery: from $5.99

Looking to save time in your insanely busy schedule? This app allows you to find recipes, ingredients and order groceries for delivery within an hour. An Instacart personal shopper will pick up your order for you (think Uber for groceries) and deliver them to your door. Instacart partners with grocers like Whole Foods, Costco, Rainbow Grocery and Target. You can even order at multiple stores in the same delivery. The app will save your grocery list, so it’s easy to re-order your favorites next time. Instacart is available in over 25 cities in the U.S. Deliveries start at $5.99, a similar price point to other grocery delivery programs.

 

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. She is the author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day.

*This article was written and/or reviewed by an independent registered dietitian nutritionist.

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/2lk9jNN