With the growing concern over health and fitness, calorie counting has become a popular way to manage one’s diet. However, manually tracking the calories of every meal can be a tedious and time-consuming task. Thankfully, there are calorie counter apps that make this process easier.
These apps are designed to help users track their calorie intake by providing a database of food items and their respective nutritional values. These apps allow users to log their meals, snacks, and drinks, and calculate the total calorie intake for the day.
But with so many of these apps out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. That’s why in this article on Naijaknowhow, I’ve put together a list of the finest calorie counter apps in the market. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just stay healthy, they will help you to achieve your goals without the hassle of manual calorie tracking.
What are Calorie Counters?
They are tools designed to help users track their daily caloric intake and expenditure to manage weight and achieve health goals. These apps feature databases of foods with nutritional information, allowing users to log their meals and monitor their calorie consumption. They often include additional features such as exercise tracking, goal setting, and progress monitoring to support users on their health journey.
How We Evaluate the Best Apps:
We prioritise the confidence our readers place in us by conducting evaluations of the top apps on both Android and iOS platforms through extensive testing and research. We deploy humans to test and compile articles to help those who are looking for the best of the best. Our team of tech writers and a small tech community invest significant time experimenting with and using these tech products or software. As a result, we reach well-informed conclusions based on the effectiveness, user experience, and customer support offered by the apps. It’s important to note that we never receive compensation for featuring apps in our articles or for linking to any websites. You can read more about how we review apps and software on Naijaknowhow.
After a series of examinations and tests of these apps, here are some of the features you should look out for in these apps:
- Extensive food info for easy logging.
- Monitor daily intake and expenditure.
- Track calories burned during workouts.
- Set goals and track progress with ease.
List of the Best Calorie Counter Apps for Android and iOS
So, if you’re ready to take the plunge and give calorie counting a try, keep reading! We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about these applications and help you find the perfect one for your needs. Meanwhile, before we get started, you may want to check our list of the best nutrition apps for healthy dieting.
1. Cronometer
Are you looking for an easy way to track your diet and exercise? Well, the Cronometer app is a tool that helps you monitor your food intake, exercise routine, and body weight. It even has a special profile for pregnant and lactating moms who need more calories.
Cronometer is great for people who follow specific diets like paleo, low-carb, or low-fat vegetarian. Depending on your chosen diet, it adjusts the macronutrient recommendations to fit your needs. Its food diary feature is user-friendly, and there’s a bar chart that shows your carb, fat, and protein intake for the day.
Pros:
- Helps track food intake, exercise, and body weight.
- Special profile for pregnant and lactating moms.
- Adjusts macronutrient recommendations for diets.
- It offers a user-friendly food diary feature.
- Provides a chart for carb, fat, and protein intake.
Cons:
- Overwhelming for those not used to tracking.
- Some users may find the interface cluttered.
- Limited food database compared to other apps.
- Free version has limitations on features.
- Requires consistent input to be effective.
2. Lose It!
Lose It app is a health tracker with an easy-to-use food diary and exercise log. You can also connect it with fitness devices like pedometers. Based on your weight, height, age, and goals, Lose It! gives personalized calorie intake recommendations and tracks your calories on the home page. It is considered a top-tier calorie counter for mobile devices.
Lose It app has a big food database, and every food entry has its own icon. The food diary is super user-friendly, and adding new foods isn’t complicated. It also features a barcode scanner for packaged foods, and common foods are saved for quick entry later on. To keep you motivated, the app gives you access to an active chat community.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use diary & exercise log interface.
- Personalized calorie goals tailored to your needs.
- Extensive food database with intuitive icons.
- Convenient barcode scanner for quick entry.
- Has a chat community for motivation and tips.
Cons:
- Basic features may not meet advanced needs.
- Simple interface design might lack depth.
- Requires subscription to access premium features.
- Occasional database inaccuracies can occur.
- Relies on internet connection to function.
3. FatSecret
FatSecret is a free calorie counter that can help you track your nutrition and fitness goals. The app has all sorts of features like a food diary, a nutrition database, healthy recipes, an exercise log, a weight chart, and even a journal. You can use it to keep track of your meals, and workouts and monitor your progress over time.
When you log in to FatSecret, you’ll see a breakdown of your daily calorie intake, as well as the number of carbs, protein, and fat you’ve consumed. It’s really easy to use and super helpful if you’re trying to stay on track with your diet. Plus, there’s a chat community where you can connect with other users and get tips, recipes, and encouragement.
Pros:
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Has a nutrition database for accurate tracking
- Convenient weight tracking feature included
- Access to a chat community for motivation
- Free to use with no hidden charges
Cons:
- Complex interface may overwhelm some users
- Limited customization options
- Relies heavily on self-reported data
- Chat advice may lack consistency
- Not suitable for offline tracking methods
4. MyNetDiary
Are you searching for a calorie tracker that’s easy to use and offers expert advice? MyNetDiary has got you covered. Whether you prefer logging your food manually or using a voice log or barcode scanner, this app makes it a breeze. It also has a portion guide that uses pictures to help you measure your food accurately. So no more guessing!
What’s more, MyNetDiary offers a food scoring system that grades the healthfulness of different foods based on their nutrition label, serving size and other factors. This feature helps you compare different options and choose the best one for your health goals. MyNetDairy is also a reliable calorie counter available for smartphones.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface for calorie tracking.
- Variety of logging options available.
- Includes a portion guide for accuracy.
- Offers a food scoring system for healthier choices.
- Provides expert advice for informed decisions.
Cons:
- Some features require a paid subscription.
- Interface may be overwhelming initially.
- Limited customization for dietary needs.
- Barcode scanner may be inaccurate.
- Expert advice may not suit all preferences.
5. Noom
Noom is not just a calorie tracker, it’s an app that’s all about helping you lose weight and sustain it. When you sign up, you give it info about yourself like your age, height, weight, gender, and lifestyle. Then, Noom uses all that to figure out how many calories you should be eating each day.
Noom also helps you stay on track by keeping you in a calorie deficit. That means you’re burning more calories than you’re taking in. To make it happen, the app encourages you to log what you eat every day and check your weight at least once. But don’t worry, it doesn’t force you to cut out any particular foods.
Pros:
- Personalized approach for tailored guidance
- Encourages daily accountability through tracking
- Flexible eating options for dietary variety
- Focuses on maintaining a sustainable calorie deficit
- Provides holistic support for overall wellness
Cons:
- Requires consistent and diligent tracking
- Not suitable for those seeking rigid meal plans
- Coaching features may not appeal to everyone
- Relies heavily on individual self-discipline
- Effectiveness depends on user commitment
6. Lifesum
Lifesum is like a personal health coach in your pocket. It’s an app that helps you learn how to live a healthier life. And it’s not just about counting calories and tracking macros. Lifesum rates the nutritional value of your meals and shows you if they’re healthy or unbalanced. But you can still eat what you like, and the app doesn’t judge or shame you for it.
Using Lifesum is super easy. The homepage displays your calorie and macro intake and breaks down your meals and calories per meal. You can log your meals manually or scan the barcode for quick entry. You can even create your own foods, meals, and recipes. Lifesum marks a spot as one of the finest calorie counter apps for smartphones.
Pros:
- Personalized health coaching available.
- Nutritional value rating for meals.
- Easy barcode scanning for quick entry.
- Customizable foods, meals, and recipes.
- Consistently rated as a top calorie counter.
Cons:
- Premium features require subscription.
- Coaching approach may not suit everyone.
- Limited analysis compared to professional advice.
- Barcode scanning has occasional limitations.
- Regular manual input necessary for accuracy.
Conclusion
Calorie counting can be tedious, but these apps make it a lot easier. They’re like your personal diet assistant. You don’t have to worry about calculating your meals, and you’ll know how many calories you’re consuming each day. If you’re looking to stay healthy and hit your fitness targets, the aforementioned calorie counter apps are worth trying out.
