Many people rely on counting calories to help them lose weight, but it can get confusing and difficult to keep track of everything you eat in your head. Well, there could soon be an app that will make monitoring calorie intake as simple as pressing a button … literally.
The app, which is still in its developmental phase, would allow users to get an approximate calorie count of your food simply by snapping a picture of it. It doesn't get any easier than that!
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So how it will work? Developed by SRI International, the same team that created Apple's Siri, the untitled app would reportedly use image recognition to scan the photo and analyze the different components of whatever meal you're eating. How simple is that?! I mean, tons of people take "food porn" photos anyway! Now, they can do it for a purpose other than to post on their Facebook and Instagram profiles.
Of course, there's a question of how effective this will actually be. The team creating the app has to find a way to account for hidden fats in food (like oil and butter), which obviously play a large role in calorie counts. Still, while the researchers admit you probably won't get an exact count, they maintain users will get an accurate range.
Honestly, I feel like it'd be worth trying, if only because of how easy it is! It only takes a second, so what do you have to lose? Although there will also probably be some times when you want to snap a photo of your food without knowing how many calories there are…
Regardless, the app is still in the works and will reportedly be due out within in the year. In the meantime, check out some great calorie-counting apps that could help you lose weight:
Image via Thinkstock
My Diet Diary
A pretty useful (and free!) app that allows you to actually see how you're doing and whether you're on track to lose weight, gain weight or stay the same at any given time. Plus, it allows you to easily connect to the website for tons of useful information on weight loss, getting fit and staying healthy.
Get more information on MedHelp.org.
MyFitnessPal
The popular workout app has another great section: a free calorie counter that lets you "set a daily calorie goal, then record your daily food and exercise to make sure you stay on track." The combination of healthy eating and working is almost a guarantee that you will drop the pounds fast.
Get more information on MyFitnessPal.com.
Lose It!
One of the great things about this super-popular app is that it allows for a "total wellness" experience, which includes helping you "goals for weight loss, exercise, macronutrient intake, blood pressure, sleep, and more!" This is the one I've used the most because of its ease, as well.
Get more information on LoseIt.com.
My Plate
The popular LiveStrong website brings you this handy calorie tracking app. It boasts the ability to "search 1.3 million foods for nutritional information including fat, sugar, carbohydrates, cholesterol and more." Plus, it also allows you to include exercise information and I just love that.
Get more information on LiveStrong.com.
Calorie Count
One of my absolute favorite things about this app is that it not only tells you the calories and nutritional information of the food you're eating but it also allows you to "get comprehensive nutritional analysis, including Calorie Count's Food Grade." That way, you know just HOW good (or bad) the food you're having is!
Get more information on CalorieCount.About.com.
