Tracking your food doesn’t have to be boring or feel like a chore. In fact, it can actually be pretty fun and eye-opening when you have the right tools at your fingertips. Whether you’re aiming to eat healthier, lose weight, or just become more mindful of what’s going into your body, a food diary app can be a game-changer. The best part? There are tons of great options out there that are free and super easy to use. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the top food diary apps that can help you stay on track, without the hassle. Ready to get started on your food-tracking journey? Let’s go!
1. MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal is one of the most widely used food tracker apps available. It offers a large food database, making it easy to log your meals and track your calorie intake. The app provides a detailed nutritional breakdown, helping users keep an eye on not just calories, but also macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. MyFitnessPal allows for personalized goal setting, whether you’re aiming for weight loss, muscle gain, or simply improving your overall health. It also syncs with various fitness trackers and devices, allowing you to keep everything in one place.
One of the standout features of MyFitnessPal is its barcode scanning functionality, which makes logging packaged foods incredibly easy. This feature saves time and reduces the guesswork when it comes to tracking calories. While the basic version of the app is free, users can opt for a premium version that offers additional features like more detailed reports and advanced tracking options. It’s suitable for people at various stages of their health journey, from beginners to more experienced users.
Key Highlights:
- Extensive food database with over 18 million items
- Barcode scanning feature for easy food logging
- Detailed nutrition breakdown (calories, macronutrients, vitamins)
- Customizable goals for weight loss, maintenance, or muscle gain
- Syncs with fitness trackers and apps (like Fitbit, Apple Health)
- Option for a premium version with advanced features
Who it’s for:
- People looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one food tracker
- Individuals aiming for weight loss or better nutrition
- Users who want an easy way to log meals, especially packaged foods
- Fitness enthusiasts who want to track both nutrition and exercise
- Those who need personalized health goals and progress tracking
2. Lifesum
Lifesum is a popular food tracking app that combines meal tracking, nutrition advice, and wellness guidance in a sleek, user-friendly interface. It offers personalized meal plans and integrates well with fitness tracking apps like Google Fit and Apple Health. Users can log their meals, track their calories, and monitor key nutrients like protein, carbs, and fats. Lifesum also offers detailed reports on eating habits and progress toward nutrition goals. The app is known for its simple, visual approach, making it easy for users to see where they stand with their nutrition and goals.
Lifesum offers a versatile approach to achieving various dietary goals, whether you’re aiming to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your overall health. The app also provides access to a variety of healthy recipes and meal suggestions, making it a great resource for anyone looking to make better food choices. The free version is available, and upgrading to the premium subscription unlocks extra features, such as customized meal plans, detailed nutrition breakdowns, and an ad-free experience.
Key Highlights:
- Customizable meal plans for different goals (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.)
- Integration with fitness trackers like Google Fit and Apple Health
- Detailed nutritional insights (macronutrients, vitamins, etc.)
- Healthy recipes and meal suggestions for a balanced diet
- Visual and intuitive interface for easy meal tracking
- Premium version available with advanced features and no ads
Who it’s for:
- People who want a personalized food tracker with meal planning features
- Users aiming for specific health goals like weight loss or muscle gain
- Those who enjoy a visually appealing, easy-to-use app interface
- Fitness and health enthusiasts who want detailed nutrition insights
- Individuals looking for healthy recipes and meal ideas
3. Calorie Counter by Lose It!
Calorie Counter by Lose It! is a user-friendly app focused on helping people track their food and manage their weight. It offers a large food database, making it easy to log meals and track daily calorie intake. The app also includes a barcode scanner for convenient food logging, and users can create custom foods and recipes for more accurate tracking. Lose It! provides personalized goal setting, where users can set weight loss or maintenance goals based on their preferences.
The app also includes features such as meal planning and progress tracking, which help users stay focused on their goals. The basic version of Lose It! is free, but a premium version is available, offering extra benefits like more detailed insights, personalized meal plans, and advanced tracking options. Lose It! is particularly popular among users who prefer a simple and effective way to monitor their nutrition and manage their calorie intake.
Key Highlights:
- Large food database and barcode scanner for easy tracking
- Custom food and recipe creation for accurate logging
- Personalized weight loss and maintenance goals
- Progress tracking and meal planning features
- Premium version available with additional features and insights
Who it’s for:
- People looking for a simple, easy-to-use calorie tracker
- Those wanting to monitor food intake for weight loss or maintenance
- Users who prefer a straightforward approach to tracking their meals
- Individuals who want personalized goals and progress tracking
- Anyone who enjoys meal planning and calorie management
4. My Diet Diary
My Diet Diary is a straightforward app designed to help users track their food, exercise, and weight loss progress. It provides a simple interface for logging meals, tracking calories, and monitoring nutrients like fats, carbs, and protein. The app offers helpful features like a barcode scanner for easy food logging, along with a water intake tracker to help users stay hydrated.
What sets My Diet Diary apart is its focus on simplicity and ease of use. It doesn’t overwhelm users with complex features but still provides all the necessary tools for effective food tracking. The app is free to use, with the option to upgrade to a premium version for more advanced tracking, additional meal planning features, and personalized insights.
Key Highlights:
- Simple and easy-to-use food tracking interface
- Barcode scanner for fast and accurate food logging
- Tracks calories, macronutrients, and water intake
- Allows users to set and track weight loss goals
- Premium version available with advanced features
Who it’s for:
- Individuals looking for a simple, no-frills food diary app
- People wanting to track calories and basic nutrition information
- Users who need an easy way to log meals and track water intake
- Those who prefer a straightforward approach to weight loss tracking
5. Yazio
Yazio is a popular food diary app designed to help users maintain a healthy diet and achieve their fitness goals. The app provides a simple way to log meals, track calories, and monitor essential nutrients. Yazio is customizable, offering personalized diet plans based on your goals, whether you’re aiming for weight loss, muscle gain, or simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also provides recipes and meal suggestions, making it easier to stick to your nutrition plan.
One standout feature of Yazio is its clear, intuitive interface, which simplifies the process of food logging and tracking progress. The free version offers basic food tracking and meal planning features, while the premium version unlocks additional benefits like more advanced tracking, personalized meal suggestions, and ad-free usage.
Key Highlights:
- Personalized diet plans for different health goals (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.)
- Food logging with a simple and intuitive interface
- Nutrient tracking for a balanced diet (carbs, fats, proteins)
- Recipe suggestions and meal ideas to stay on track
- Premium version available for advanced tracking and customization
Who it’s for:
- Users looking for a simple, customizable food diary app
- Those with specific fitness goals like weight loss or muscle building
- People who prefer meal planning and recipe suggestions
Individuals who want detailed nutrient tracking for a balanced diet
6. Ate Food Diary
Ate Food Diary stands out with its unique approach to food tracking. Unlike traditional apps, Ate focuses on mindful eating, encouraging users to reflect on their meals and eating habits. The app allows you to log meals by taking photos of your food and then adding a brief description. This visual approach helps users become more aware of what they’re eating, making it easier to spot patterns or habits they may want to change.
Ate also offers AI-powered insights to help users better understand their eating habits and make smarter choices. With its user-friendly interface and focus on intuitive tracking, the app is ideal for those who prefer mindful eating over calorie counting. Ate is free to use, but a premium version is available, unlocking additional features like detailed reports and enhanced meal tracking options.
Key Highlights:
- Focuses on mindful eating with photo-based meal logging
- AI-powered insights to help users track eating behaviors
- Simple, intuitive interface that’s easy to use
- Emphasis on reflection and awareness over calorie counting
- Premium version available with additional features and reports
Who it’s for:
- Users who want a more mindful approach to food tracking
- Individuals looking to build awareness of their eating habits
- People who prefer visual meal logging over traditional calorie counting
- Those who enjoy tracking their meals with an intuitive, easy-to-use app
- Users looking for AI-driven insights to improve their eating behaviors
7. FatSecret
FatSecret is a straightforward food diary app designed to help users track their diet, exercise, and weight loss progress. The app includes a large food database, making it easy to log meals and monitor calorie intake. It also tracks essential nutrients like carbs, fats, and proteins, ensuring users get a complete picture of their nutritional intake. FatSecret’s simplicity and ease of use make it a popular choice for those who want to focus on basic food tracking without being overwhelmed by complex features.
The app provides a barcode scanner for quick food logging and seamlessly integrates with fitness trackers to monitor exercise. FatSecret also features a community aspect, allowing users to connect, share tips, and stay motivated. The app is free to use, with a premium version available that unlocks additional features such as advanced reports and enhanced tracking tools.
Key Highlights:
- Large food database with calorie and nutrient information
- Barcode scanner for easy food logging
- Tracks calories, macronutrients, and exercise
- Community support for motivation and sharing tips
- Free version with optional premium subscription for advanced feature
Who it’s for:
- People looking for a simple, easy-to-use food tracking app
- Users who want to track calories and essential nutrients
- Those who want to monitor exercise alongside food intake
- Individuals who prefer a community-based app for extra motivation
- Users who don’t need a lot of extra features and want a straightforward tool
8. Fooducate
Fooducate is a food tracker and nutrition app designed to help users make healthier food choices. It provides a unique feature where, in addition to tracking calories and nutrients, users can scan barcodes to get a detailed analysis of the food they are consuming. Each food item is given a grade (A to D) based on its nutritional quality, helping users quickly identify healthier options. Fooducate also offers personalized meal plans and diet recommendations based on user goals, whether for weight loss, maintenance, or general health improvement.
A key feature that sets Fooducate apart is its educational content. The app offers valuable tips on healthier eating and provides insights into how food ingredients affect your body. Fooducate is free to use, and the premium version unlocks extra features, including advanced tracking, personalized meal suggestions, and access to a dedicated nutrition coach.
Key Highlights:
- Barcode scanner for detailed nutritional analysis of foods
- Grades food items (A to D) based on their nutritional quality
- Personalized meal plans and diet recommendations
- Educational content about food ingredients and nutrition
- Premium version available for more features and personalized coaching
Who it’s for:
- Individuals looking for a food tracker that educates as you track
- People who want to make healthier food choices based on nutritional quality
- Those aiming for weight loss, improved health, or better overall nutrition
- Users who enjoy learning about food and how it impacts the body
- Anyone who wants to track meals with the added benefit of personalized recommendations
9. Noom
Noom is a popular app that combines food tracking with psychology-based strategies to help users change their eating habits and achieve sustainable weight loss. Unlike traditional food diary apps, Noom focuses on behavioral change and encourages users to become more mindful of their food choices. The app uses a color-coded system to categorize foods based on their nutritional value, making it easy for users to understand the impact of their meals on their overall health.
In addition to meal tracking, Noom provides personalized coaching from health professionals and daily lessons on nutrition, psychology, and healthy habits. These lessons aim to help users develop a healthier relationship with food and tackle emotional eating. Noom operates on a subscription model with a 14-day trial period, offering no free version but including personalized coaching and daily lessons.
Key Highlights:
- Behavioral-focused approach to weight loss with a psychology-based framework
- Color-coded food system to categorize meals by nutritional value
- Personalized coaching and support from health professionals
- Daily lessons on nutrition, emotional eating, and healthy habits
- Subscription-based with a free trial period
Who it’s for:
- Individuals looking for a psychology-based approach to weight loss
- People who want personalized coaching and behavioral support
- Users who want to develop healthier eating habits and break emotional eating cycles
- Those interested in learning about nutrition and making sustainable changes
- Individuals who prefer a structured program with ongoing guidance
10. Food Diary: See How You Eat
Food Diary: See How You Eat is a simple and intuitive app designed to help users track their meals and gain insights into their eating patterns. This app takes a more visual approach to food tracking, allowing users to take photos of their meals instead of just logging calories and nutrients. This can be a great tool for those who want to develop better habits by visually tracking what they eat throughout the day.
The app provides users with easy-to-read charts and reports to help them see trends in their eating habits over time. It encourages mindful eating and reflection on food choices, helping users become more aware of their consumption without the stress of counting every calorie. The app is free to use, with the option to unlock additional features via an in-app purchase.
Key Highlights:
- Visual food tracking through meal photos
- Easy-to-read charts and reports on eating habits
- Focus on mindful eating and developing healthier habits
- Simple, intuitive interface with no need for calorie counting
- Free version available with optional in-app purchases for additional features
Who it’s for:
- People who prefer visual tracking over traditional logging
- Users looking for a simple, stress-free way to track meals
- Individuals focused on mindful eating and improving their eating habits
- Those who want to reflect on their food choices without the need to track calories
- Users looking for an intuitive and easy-to-use food diary app
11. WeightWatchers Program
WeightWatchers (WW) is a well-established weight management program that combines food tracking, exercise, and behavior change techniques to help users achieve their health goals. The app uses a point system to track food, with each food item assigned a certain number of points based on its nutritional content. This makes it easy for users to manage their calorie intake while focusing on a balanced diet. The app also offers personalized meal plans, recipes, and an extensive database of foods to simplify tracking.
In addition to food tracking, WeightWatchers focuses on support through community features and coaching. Users can connect with others on their weight loss journey, share progress, and receive encouragement. The app also integrates fitness tracking, offering tools to monitor exercise and activity levels. WeightWatchers requires a subscription, though it provides a free trial period for new users to explore the app’s features.
Key Highlights:
- Point system to track food intake based on nutritional value
- Personalized meal plans, recipes, and food database
- Community support and access to coaching
- Fitness tracking integration for monitoring exercise and activity
- Free trial period available with a subscription required for full access
Who it’s for:
- Individuals looking for a structured program to manage weight loss
- People who prefer a point-based system over traditional calorie counting
- Users seeking support through community features and coaching
- Those interested in a comprehensive program that includes both diet and exercise tracking
- Individuals who want personalized meal plans and weight loss guidance
12. Rise Up + Recover
Rise Up + Recover is a food diary and mood tracking app designed to support individuals dealing with disordered eating, emotional eating, and other eating-related challenges. It offers a unique approach by combining food logging with emotional and behavioral tracking. Users can log their meals and snacks while also noting their emotional state, helping them identify patterns between food and feelings. This combination of tracking both food intake and emotions provides a comprehensive tool for people seeking to improve their relationship with food.
In addition to meal tracking, the app offers features like goal setting, progress tracking, and access to recovery resources, which can be especially helpful for those working on overcoming eating disorders. Rise Up + Recover is free to use, with options to unlock additional resources and features through in-app purchases. It’s an excellent tool for those who need support in their recovery journey and want to track both their nutrition and emotional health.
Key Highlights:
- Combines food logging with emotional and mood tracking
- Helps users identify patterns between food intake and emotional state
- Goal setting and progress tracking to support recovery
- Access to helpful resources and tips for managing disordered eating
- Free to use with optional in-app purchases for additional features
Who it’s for:
- Individuals dealing with disordered eating or emotional eating
- People looking for a comprehensive tool to track both food and emotions
- Those seeking support and resources for recovery from eating disorders
- Users who want to improve their relationship with food through mindful tracking
- Anyone looking for a food diary with a focus on emotional health and recovery
13. mySymptoms Food Diary
mySymptoms Food Diary is an app designed for users who want to track their food intake alongside symptoms related to digestive health or other health concerns. This app is particularly useful for individuals with conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), food sensitivities, or allergies, as it allows users to log foods and track how they affect their body. By identifying potential food triggers, users can better understand their diet’s impact on their health and make more informed choices.
The app offers an intuitive interface for logging meals, snacks, and drinks, as well as symptoms and their severity. It includes customizable tags for both symptoms and foods, allowing for a personalized tracking experience. mySymptoms focuses on food and symptom tracking and provides valuable insights and reports to help users adjust their diet based on individual needs. The app is free to use, with additional premium features available through in-app purchases.
Key Highlights:
- Log food intake alongside symptoms to track dietary effects on health
- Customizable symptom and food tags for personalized tracking
- Intuitive interface for easy logging of meals and symptoms
- Reports and insights to help identify food triggers and sensitivities
- Free to use with optional in-app purchases for advanced features
Who it’s for:
- Individuals with digestive health issues or food sensitivities
- People looking to track how different foods affect their body and symptoms
- Users who need a food diary with customizable symptom tracking
- Those who want to gain insights into their diet and make informed dietary choices
- People managing conditions like IBS or food allergies
14. Food Diary: Diet & Health Log
Food Diary: Diet & Health Log is a straightforward app designed to help users track their food intake, monitor their health, and achieve their nutrition and fitness goals. The app allows users to log meals and beverages, track calories, and monitor various nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It offers an easy-to-use interface, making food logging quick and efficient, even for those who are new to tracking their diet.
In addition to food tracking, the app also allows users to log physical activity and monitor their weight. This holistic approach to tracking helps users stay on top of both their nutrition and exercise routines. The app is free to use, though it also offers a premium version that includes additional features such as advanced tracking tools and more detailed insights into health trends.
Key Highlights:
- Simple interface for logging meals and beverages
- Tracks calories and key nutrients like carbs, fats, and proteins
- Allows logging of physical activity and weight
- Free version with optional premium subscription for advanced features
- Tracks daily, weekly, and monthly health trends
Who it’s for:
- Individuals looking for a basic yet effective food diary app
- Users who want to track both nutrition and physical activity
- People aiming to monitor their health and weight loss progress
- Those seeking a straightforward way to log meals without complicated features
- Users who want to track health trends over time
15. MyNetDiary
MyNetDiary is a user-friendly food tracking app designed to help individuals manage their nutrition, track calories, and work toward health goals like weight loss, muscle gain, or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The app offers a large database of foods, including restaurant items, and allows users to easily log their meals using a barcode scanner or by manually entering foods. It provides detailed nutritional information, helping users track their intake of not just calories, but also key nutrients like protein, fats, carbs, and fiber.
MyNetDiary offers both free and premium versions. The free version includes essential food tracking features and access to a food database, while the premium version unlocks advanced features like more detailed reports, personalized nutrition plans, and support for tracking exercise. This app is great for users who want to manage their diet with an easy-to-use interface and track progress toward their health and fitness goals.
Key Highlights:
- Extensive food database with barcode scanning and manual entry options
- Tracks calories and key nutrients (protein, fats, carbs, fiber, etc.)
- Allows users to set and track health goals (weight loss, muscle gain, etc.)
- Premium version offers detailed reports and personalized nutrition plans
- Free version with basic tracking features available
Who it’s for:
- Individuals looking for a simple food diary app with easy-to-use tracking tools
- Users who want to track calories and nutrients for health and fitness goals
- Those looking for a flexible app to monitor their diet, whether for weight loss or muscle gain
- People who want access to a large food database with barcode scanning
- Users who need advanced features, such as detailed reports, can consider the premium version
Conclusion
Choosing the right food diary app can make a big difference in how you track your meals and reach your health goals. Whether you’re looking for simple tracking, personalized meal plans, or in-depth nutrition insights, there’s an app out there for everyone. From apps like MyFitnessPal and Lifesum that offer comprehensive features to options like Ate and mySymptoms that focus on mindful eating and symptom tracking, each app brings something unique to the table.
The best food diary app for you will depend on your personal goals and how you like to track your food. Some people prefer a straightforward approach with basic logging, while others might want detailed reports and personalized coaching. Whatever you choose, the key is finding an app that feels easy to use and supports your health journey, whether you’re looking to lose weight, build muscle, or simply eat more mindfully.