Keeping track of what to eat, how much to eat and how that affects your weight has never been easier thanks to thousands of diet and nutrition apps available for iPhones, Androids and tablets.  The problem is how to decipher which ones are really good and which ones are just so-so.

My top 5 apps for weight loss are the following:

1.      Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker by MyFitness Pal  - Compatible with iPhone, iPod and iPad.

• Helps you lose weight and track fitness goals
• Can scan bar codes on food products while at the grocery store
• Gives a summary at the end of each day on how well you are doing
• Large food database with over 1,100,000 foods
• You can add friends for support
• Provides detailed reports of your progress
• Additional information at www.myfitnesspal.com
  

2.      Lose it! – Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

• Detailed food database keeps track of what you eat
• Free, can add friends for support and allows posting of progress on Facebook and Twitter
• Will remind you if you forget to log in meals
• Additional information at www.loseit.com
  

3.      Calorie Counter by MyNetDiary – Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

• Personalized calorie limit for weight loss, gain or maintenance
• Includes progress reports
• Has recipe section to add in favorite recipes
• Detailed daily summary of caloric intake along with fat, carbohydrates, protein and other nutrients
• Large database with over 400,000 foods
• Additional information at www.mynetdiary.com
  

4.      Shopwell – Compatible with iPhone and Android

• Uses a scoring system to assess food products based on your age range, gender,  dietary goals and allergies  
• Categorizes foods from 0 – 100; the higher the score, the healthier and better match the food is for you
• Highlights nutrients you need more of on a daily basis and which ones to consume less of
• Additional information at www.shopwell.com
  

5.      Fooducate – Compatible with iPhone and Android

• Acts as a personal grocery advisor
• Publishes daily tips on knowing how to shop for more nutritious food
• Can scan bar codes and will recommend a healthier selection
• Additional information at www.fooducate.com
  

Nutrition apps can be a helpful solution in providing weight loss advice when you need it throughout the day.  However, they do not replace nor can they offer individualized nutrition counseling from a registered dietitian.  RD’s have the knowledge and expertise to tailor your unique nutritional needs based on scientific evidence and can develop an eating plan just for you.  Using a nutrition app along with an RD can be powerful tools in achieving your weight loss goals. 

For more information on additional apps for weight loss, gluten-free eating and managing diabetes, go to eatright.org and type in the search box “RDN’s review and rate top smartphone apps.”   

ABOUT CHERYL MUSSATTO, REGISTERED DIETITIAN

Cheryl Mussatto has over 30 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian and has worked in a variety of settings that cover a wide span of nutrition experience.  Currently she works as an adjunct professor for two community colleges, Allen Community College in Burlingame and Butler Community College in Council Grove, Kansas teaching two courses, Basic Nutrition and Therapeutic Nutrition. Cheryl also is a contributing author for osagecountyonline.com, an online newspaper and Edietitians, a global free nutritional and health magazine. Her articles for both publications pertain to nutrition topics that cover a diversity of health and nutrition interests for the general public.  She is also certified as a health and wellness coach.