6 Weight Loss and Nutrition Apps That Actually Work

It doesn’t matter what diet you’re on, or what specific approach you’re taking to losing weight: At the end of the day, success comes down to calories in vs. calories out. That’s why we’re such big fans of the MyFitnessPal app, which has a database of more than 1 million foods, complete with counts on calories, macros, and other nutrients. Don’t know how many calories are in that turkey burger? MyFitnessPal can help you out. Plus, it can help you set the right weight loss goals based on your current weight, how much you want to lose, and your current exercise level.

I enjoy shopping for my food in person. Far too many times I’ve been sent bad produce or damaged goods by delivery services. And given how important this food is to my daily nutrition, I find weekly trips to the grocery store also essential. But while I know what ingredients I’m looking for, I don’t always know what to avoid. That’s where ZOE (founded by Professor Tim Spector, MD MSC MBBS) comes in, with a research-backed process to inform shoppers on how to read nutrition labels better.

It’s a one-stop shop for all the no-gym workouts out need to help you power the fitness side of your weight loss journey. There are bodyweight workouts, cardio workouts, yoga, and even stretching. There’s a timer, a tracker, and even the option to connect one-on-one to a personal trainer.

When you step on the scale, the number is a reflection of not just your true weight, but also your hormonal fluctuations and poop habits. “Happy Scale takes the fluctuations out of weight measurements and makes for a smooth curve, so guys are better able to gauge their true progress,” says board-certified family and bariatric physician Spencer Nadolsky, D.O., a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. The app will even predict what you’ll weigh in the future if you keep up your current habits.

Think of this app as a mashup of traditional food diaries, like MyFitnessPal, and instagram. Instead of weighing and logging food from the database, users upload photos of meals. YouAte stresses mindful eating, so you can record emotions to determine if stress led you to eating those afternoon donuts.

Lose It! is the sleeker younger sibling of MyFitnessPal. The experience is very user-friendly, with cool features like finding restaurant listings by using your location. This app is also super tailored to weight-loss as a goal, and has community groups you can join to help keep you accountable.