NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Data helps us make informed decisions in every aspect of our lives, and technology has made it easier than ever to collect data about our health habits and lifestyle trends.
Paying attention to your personal metrics helps you see how your actions affect your results. It also helps you see the impact of any changes you make. Are the results worth the effort?
If you’re not yet convinced of the benefits of fitness “wearables” that track your personal health data, consider at least logging your food using one of the food tracking apps on your smartphone, and if you already use another fitness tracker, you can easily see the impact of your actions on key metrics like weight, body composition, heart rate, sleep, and even blood sugar.
Find what works for you, whether that’s pen and paper or the “Notes” feature on your smartphone. If you’re interested in a tracking app, here are three popular (and free!) options, ranked in order of my preference:
For more on ranking the best food trackers, check out Molly’s podcast.
#1 Chronometer
· Data Accuracy: All foods are reviewed by the Cronometer team before being added to the database.
Transparency of Sources: Cronometer shares the sources of its nutrient data, which range from USDA databases to user-generated data to large databases used for research.
Barcode scanner feature is free
#2 My Fitness Pal
Data Accuracy: Only foods with a green checkmark have been checked for accuracy. The rest are “user generated,” meaning the nutrition facts entered by people like you and me may or may not be accurate.
· Repeat your favorite foods: If you tend to eat the same things all the time, MyFitnessPal makes it easy to re-add recent meals and snacks with just one click.
· Customizable Nutrition Goals: Customize your calorie and nutrient goals.
#3 lose!
Data Accuracy: Only foods with a green checkmark are checked for accuracy. The rest are “user generated” and may or may not be accurate.
· Nutrition facts update in real time: It’s easy to edit the serving size of any item from the default amount and the nutrition facts label will immediately change accordingly.
Free version has limitations: barcode scanner and recipe import features are only available in the paid version
FUELED Wellness + Nutrition is powered by evamor. For more information, visit evamor.com.
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Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian and nutrition journalist in New Orleans and founder of the nonprofit restaurant initiative Ochsner Eat Fit. Listen to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @MollyKimballRD. Find more of Molly’s articles and TV shows at www.mollykimball.com, and sign up for the Eat Fit Wellness Bites weekly newsletter here.
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