![Can you Cook Eggs in the Microwave? [Complete Guide]](/assets/images/c1f79d1cad59f18f9b5dc31403bd0eb2.png)
Weight loss is accomplished through various lifestyle changes, including diet and level of physical activity. Once the weight comes off, many people struggle to keep it off, with most who drop considerable pounds gaining about 75 percent of it back within five years of hitting their target weight.
Using an app to help measure calories at home can help you lose weight and keep it off once you have reached your goal. We have compared the best apps to measure calories at home and listed them below:
Top 10 Apps to Measure Calories
LoseIt!
LoseIt! is a calorie-tracking app that helps you set a daily calorie budget to monitor your daily calorie intake. After setting up your profile by answering questions about your goals and lifestyle, you log what you eat. You can input items individually or select foods from the app's database when logging food.
The app tracks your calories throughout the day and lets you know how many you have left. LoseIt! It offers a free basic and premium version that allows you to create more targeted goals and track health measurements, water intake, and micronutrients.
Additional features of LostIt! Include macro tracking, the ability to save recipes, set custom goals for body fat and measurements, and utilize a barcode for food logging.
MyFitness Pal
My Fitness Pal offers everything needed to improve your health and monitor your calorie intake. Whether you want to lose weight, improve wellness, maintain your weight, or monitor your overall health, this app has the functionalities you need to log food and exercise. The app allows you to track your calorie intake and lets you know how many calories you have left for the day.
There is a free version of MyFitness Pal, but the premium membership offers additional features, including access to a barcode scanner for quick food logging. App users will have access to the database of foods and nutritional values and be able to connect the app with other apps to monitor their health and wellness.
YAZIO Calorie Counter & Diet
Over 50 million people use the YAZIO app to monitor and track daily activities and food intake. The app's fun, cheery design makes tracking food fun, and the easy-to-navigate interface allows you to quickly add food and get back to enjoying life.
When setting up YAZIO, you input weight and health goals, which helps the app provide you with the information needed to track your calories accurately and stay on your health and wellness path. The app also allows you to create a customized list with recipes and foods you eat often to add to your daily food diary.
YAZIO's premium version offers users access to various easy-to-use recipes, some of which are also available in the basic version of the app.
My Plate
My Plate is best for getting recipes to help you adhere to your diet and healthy lifestyle. The app allows you to track macros and calories and offers a wide range of healthy recipe ideas to help you create an eight-week meal plan.
The My Plate app also includes a community where you can find support and tips to help you meet your fitness, health, and wellness goals. My Plate is free and easily connects to your Google Fit.
Noom
Through an interactive survey, Noom helps create a customized weight loss plan, including recommended foods and daily calorie intake. This health app subscription does more than help you track your calories. It enables you to focus on behavioral changes to live a healthier life.
Noom is available for a monthly subscription of $16 to $59 (depending on the level you choose). New users have a 14-day free trial to try the app.
LifeSum
LifeSum is best for helping you make better food choices while tracking your daily calorie intake. This app helps you track macros while helping you figure out what to eat based on your calorie intake goal and basic rating system for various foods.
LifeSum is a free app with a database full of recipes to help you decide what to eat based on your desired calorie limits. This app has an extensive database and features a barcode scanner for quick addition of foods and calorie amounts.
Cronometer
Cronometer is one of the best apps for tracking health markers, including macros, exercise, and water intake. The best thing about this app is you can monitor everything you do to burn calories and eat, allowing you to adjust what you eat and your physical activity to help you achieve your fitness goals.
Many Cronometer users like that this app helps track calories and fitness levels and educates users more about nutrition.
FatSecret
FatSecret is a calorie-counting app with a robust free version and many features to help track foods. Its extensive database makes it possible to maintain a daily food diary with calories. Though the app's free version has lots to offer, a premium version gives users access to meal-planning options provided by registered dietitians.
MyNetDiary
MyNetDiary is a weight loss and nutrition app supported by dietitians that can help motivate you to improve your diet. The app encourages you to work to change what and how much you eat while helping you keep track using a customized food diary.
Tens of thousands of users already use the free version of MyNetDiary, but the premium version offers more features, including wearable tracker integrations and access to premium recipes.
WW
Weight Watchers, WW, is well-known for healthier lifestyle changes and weight loss. This is more than just a calorie tracking app—users love the many features and customized rating system featuring zero-point foods they can eat as much as they want.
Like other calorie-tracking apps, WW requires users to enter what they eat into the daily food log, but this app takes tracking a few steps further. Instead of tracking calories, the app uses a customized point system based on the nutritional value of foods, so it may be challenging to know the exact number of calories you consume in a day.
Though WW doesn't track calories the same way other apps do, it is still very effective, and users have noticed significant changes in their health, wellness, and weight loss.
How to Select the Ideal Calorie Tracking Application for Your Needs
Selecting the best calorie-tracking app can significantly support your health and fitness goals. Firstly, consider the app's user interface and functionality. Look for a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to log your meals and snacks. A barcode scanner feature can be beneficial for quickly inputting nutritional information from packaged foods.
Use an app offering a comprehensive food database, including a wide range of generic and branded items. This ensures accuracy in tracking your calorie intake while monitoring your overall health and wellness.
Look for apps that offer additional features beyond calorie counting. Many apps provide features like meal planning, recipe suggestions, and fitness tracking, which can give you a better view of your health journey. Another feature to look for includes an app with a barcode scanner for easier input of foods into your daily food diary.
Other features to look for include access to other users in a community for more tips, tricks, motivation, and advice. Many users also like having a visual that shows their calorie intake versus their overall goal and seeing their weight loss and health goals.
Integration with wearable fitness devices or other health apps can streamline your experience. For example, wearing a Fitbit or smartwatch can help you track exercise, steps, and more in your calorie-tracking app.
Lastly, consider user reviews and ratings to gauge the app's reliability and customer satisfaction. Reviews can help you select a calorie-tracking app that aligns with your needs and helps you stay on track.
FAQs
What is the definition of one calorie?
In food terms, a calorie is a measurement unit quantifying the energy content of food and beverages. It represents the energy needed to raise the overall temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.
When we consume food, the body breaks down the macronutrients within it—such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—releasing energy in the form of calories. The body then utilizes these calories for various functions, including metabolism, physical activity, and maintaining bodily functions.
How many calories do I need a day?
Women should aim for a minimum daily calorie intake of 1,200, and men should aim for a minimum of 1,500 unless otherwise advised by a physician. Women's recommended daily calorie intake is typically around 2,000, while men are advised to target around 2,500 calories.
What is a calorie deficit?
A calorie deficit can occur when you burn more calories than you consume. Studies indicate that a deficit of 500 calories may facilitate weight loss.
How to measure calories in food at home
Measuring calories in food at home can be approached with precision using a few simple methods.
Firstly, familiarize yourself with portion sizes and the caloric content of common ingredients. Utilize a kitchen scale to measure each ingredient's weight in your recipe accurately. Pay attention to labels and use online resources or apps to cross-reference nutritional information.
Additionally, invest in a food thermometer to ensure proper cooking temperatures, as this affects your food's caloric value and nutritional profile.
Keep a detailed record of the ingredients and their quantities to calculate the total calorie count for your dish.
Additionally, be mindful of cooking methods; grilling, baking, or steaming often require less added fats than frying, affecting the overall caloric content.
Another effective method is utilizing calorie-counting tools and apps. These tools allow you to input your ingredients and quantities, automatically calculating the total caloric content of your meal.
Familiarize yourself with serving sizes and portion control to gauge your calorie intake accurately. Remember to adjust your measurements for any modifications or substitutions you make to recipes.
By combining these methods with an understanding of food composition and cooking techniques, you can confidently measure the calories in your homemade meals, empowering you to make informed decisions about your diet and nutrition.
