Top 10 Nutrition Tracking Apps Recommended by a Certified Sports Nutrition Coach

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reaching fitness goals can be challenging amidst the busy demands of daily life. To support your journey towards optimal health, a nutrition tracking app can provide valuable guidance and accountability. As a certified sports nutrition coach, I have reviewed and compiled a list of the top 10 nutrition tracking apps available in 2023. Each app offers unique features, functionalities, pros, and cons to help you find the best fit for your needs.

Please note that the following information is intended to be informative and not medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

1. Noom (Best Nutrition App for Weight Loss) Noom is a paid nutrition app that offers individual and group coaching, along with a comprehensive course curriculum focused on mindset and accountability. It emphasizes creating awareness of eating habits and fostering a healthy attitude toward food. Noom categorizes foods into green (least calorically dense and/or most nutrient-dense), yellow (moderate), and red (most calorically dense and/or least nutrient-dense) to guide users in making balanced choices.

Pros:

• Includes 10 mini-courses on various topics related to health and well-being.
• Encourages a balanced approach to eating without restricting specific foods.
• Offers one-on-one and group coaching for personalized support.

Cons:

• Requires daily weighing, which may not suit everyone.
• Does not provide specific meal plans.
• Calorie tracking without detailed macronutrient information.

2. NuMi by Nutrisystem (Best Diet App) NuMi is a weight loss program that delivers pre-made meals and snacks based on your chosen nutrition plan. The NuMi app serves as a convenient tool to track your meals, access healthy recipes, and manage your Nutrisystem account. It offers a wide range of food options and can suggest well-balanced meals to support your goals.

Pros:

• App can be used independently without a Nutrisystem plan.
• Provides suggested foods for balanced meals.
• Includes a recipe database and meal planner.

Cons:

• Limited customization of daily calorie intake.
• Meals shipped monthly, requiring ample storage space.
• Smaller portion sizes for some meals.

3. Future (Best Nutrition App for Athletes) Future is a personal training app that connects you with certified coaches specializing in fitness and nutrition. It offers one-on-one coaching to tailor nutrition plans that align with your athletic goals. Future provides comprehensive guidance, form checks, and accountability to help you achieve optimal performance.

Pros:

• Personalized training and coaching plans.
• Daily check-ins and feedback from coaches.
• Ability to switch coaches if needed.

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to other apps.
• Does not include specific meal plans.
• No calorie tracking or food logging features.

4. Noom (Best Nutrition App for Counting Calories) Noom takes a unique approach to calorie counting by focusing on caloric density rather than strict calorie restriction. It categorizes foods into green, yellow, and red based on their caloric density, allowing users to make informed choices. Noom aims to educate users about their calorie excess and helps them adjust their diet without restrictive portion control.

Pros:

• Emphasizes balance and education over strict calorie counting.
• Provides a supportive community.
• Offers time-dependent plans for specific goals.

Cons:

• No pre-made meal services.
• Recipe input can be tedious.
• Lack of detailed macronutrient tracking.

5. NuMi by Nutrisystem (Best Nutrition App for Meal Delivery) NuMi by Nutrisystem combines nutrition tracking with a meal delivery service. The app allows you to log your Nutrisystem meals accurately and provides suggestions for well-balanced meals. Nutrisystem meals are portion-controlled and designed to support weight loss or other specific goals.

Pros:

• Nutritious meals designed by experts.
• Free shipping across the U.S.
• Multiple meal plan options.

Cons:

• Meals delivered monthly, requiring sufficient storage space.
• Some meals may have lower calorie counts.
• Limited dietary restriction plans.

6. Future (Best Nutrition Tracking and Fitness App) Future offers a comprehensive solution by combining fitness tracking and nutrition coaching. It connects you with certified trainers who customize training and nutrition plans to help you reach your goals. With personalized guidance and daily check-ins, Future ensures accountability and support.

Pros:

• Personalized training and nutrition plans.
• Focus on accountability and form checks.
• Ability to switch trainers if desired.

Cons:

• Higher subscription cost compared to other apps.
• No built-in food logging or calorie tracking.
• Primarily focused on fitness rather than nutrition.

7. NuMi by Nutrisystem (Best Nutrition App with Meal Plans) NuMi by Nutrisystem offers various meal plans designed by nutritionists. These plans include portion-controlled meals delivered to your doorstep. The app allows you to track your meals accurately and provides access to a large recipe database. You can also log outside food choices and snacks.

Pros:

• Meal plans catered to different dietary needs.
• Portion-controlled meals for easy calorie management.
• Extensive recipe database for meal inspiration.

Cons:

• Meals shipped monthly, requiring storage space.
• Smaller portion sizes.
• Limited plans for specific dietary restrictions.

8. DoFasting (Best Nutrition App for Intermittent Fasting) DoFasting simplifies intermittent fasting, a dietary approach involving cycles of eating and fasting. The app offers customizable fasting schedules and timers, alongside features for weight, water, steps, and calorie tracking. It provides daily reminders and motivational notifications to enhance accountability.

Pros:

• Offers a library of workouts suitable for all levels.
• Provides daily reminders and motivational notifications.
• Includes over 5,000 healthy recipes.

Cons:

• Not suitable for athletes requiring continuous energy supply.
• Some users report app crashing issues.
• Limited data input options for missed or forgotten meals.

9. MyNetDiary (Best Food Tracking App) MyNetDiary is a user-friendly food tracking app that allows you to monitor calories, macronutrients, and track your daily exercise. It offers a wide range of features, including diet analysis, recipe importing, meal planning, and a barcode scanner. The app has an extensive food database and includes personalized tips and feedback.

Pros:

• Detailed diet analysis and nutrient tracking.
• Extensive food database and recipe importer.
• Compatible with various wearables.

Cons:

• Some features require a premium subscription.
• Limited tracking of micronutrients without premium version.
• No built-in workout plans.

10. Ovia Pregnancy Tracker (Best Pregnancy Nutrition App) Ovia Pregnancy Tracker is an all-in-one app that includes a pregnancy tracker, calendar, due date countdown, medication reminders, and nutrition tracking. It simplifies the process of maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy, providing suggestions for supporting fetal development and food safety guidelines.

Pros:

• Comprehensive pregnancy tracking features.
• Provides guidance on pregnancy nutrition and health.
• Free to use without subscription plans.

Cons:

• Frequent in-app advertisements.
• Limited tracking data points and trend analysis.

Why Use a Nutrition Tracking App? Nutrition tracking apps offer valuable tools to support your health and wellness goals. They provide features such as calorie counting, nutrient tracking, education, community support, and daily reminders to help you stay on track. By utilizing these apps, you can gain insights into your dietary habits, make informed food choices, and achieve long-term success in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.