wrangler 5 cool ways AI platforms have transformed our eating habits

5 cool ways AI platforms have transformed our eating habits

Jan 03, 2024 12:00pm

 

Despite the criticisms of new technologies, these new innovations can also have a positive impact and could nudge the masses to adopt healthier eating habits. In this article we dive into some examples how apps are transforming the way we find, select and eat food.

 

Healthy food shopping apps 

These apps work by creating a personal profile for yourself and any members you live with at can help you to choose foods that match your dietary preferences and goals through barcode scanning, and even guide you along the healthy food aisles through augmented reality, recommend healthy foods according to your budget, make healthy food swops and suggest recipes. Cool examples include the Shopwell app, Smartwithfood and Spoonguru.

 

What does the science say?

Twenty studies were included in the systematic review. The majority of studies (n = 18) used a smartphone in the intervention, and only two studies used a personal digital assistant. The results showed that technology integration-based intervention favoured healthy changes in household food purchases, and increased consumption of healthy food and healthy eating outcomes – albeit to different extents. Overall, technology apps are convenient and user-friendly tools to encourage a change in healthy food purchase and consumption among people.

 

Nudging apps for a healthy lifestyle 

Changing behaviours is tough and can take some time. However, latest apps take this into consideration by incorporating a variety of behaviour change techniques into account. that help you to stick to your health goals by sending you personalized reminders at the right time. Great examples include Lifesum and Noom.

 

Meal planning apps 

Covid-19 has meant our shopping trips are now carefully planned. This is a great opportunity to consider healthy and thoughtful meals that can be nourishing your body and boost your immune system. Meal planning apps are great for inspiration and create recommended meals from ingredients you already have in your fridge and cupboard. Examples include EatLove PRO and Platejoy.

 

What does the science say?

Upon completion of the searches, 18,649 articles were identified, and data were extracted from 22 articles. Pooled estimates showed a significantly:
  • greater decrease in weight (–2.45 kg, 95% CI –3.33 to –1.58 kg; P<0.001; I2=96.2%, 95% CI 95% to 97%),
  • waist circumference (–2.54 cm, 95% CI –3.34 to –1.73 cm; P<0.001; I2=88.3%, 95% CI 67% to 96%),
  • and energy intake (–149.52 kcal, 95% CI –215.78 to –83.27 kcal; P<0.001; I2=0% CI 0% to 90%) when an app was used compared to control.
 

Conclusions

The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that dietary mobile apps are effective self-monitoring tools, and that their use results in positive effects on measured nutritional outcomes in chronic diseases, especially weight loss.

 

Go plant-based or plant forward

It is now a well-known fact that we don't eat enough plant-based foods that can help to reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions down the road. A simple switch such as including more plant-based foods or meat-free days during your week (note that I did not say switch completely) can do wonders for your health in the long-term. Apps such as Plantevo and Verdify are great apps to help you make those veggie switches.

 

 

Meal planning apps are great for inspiration and create recommended meals from ingredients you already have in your fridge and cupboard.

 

Meal tracking apps 

Tracking meals can be a tedious task, but they can also be educational. It is easy to underestimate the amount of saturated fat, salt or sugar you consume each day. It is even easier to overestimate the amount of fiber, or water we consume. Therefore, to know and understand what "habitual" dietary intake can mean for you. Apps such as Chronometer and Keenoa can provide insights in terms of nutritional breakdown.

When thinking about how to use technology to improve your eating habits, think simple and slow. It is always best to make one change at a time. This could mean starting off with the one thing that is currently the biggest challenge for you whether that is planning a sumptuous meal, just shopping for healthier alternatives or increasing the amount of fiber in your diet.

For all the woes of technology, it can also be used to make you more efficient and more aware of your behaviour.

 

What does the science say?

Meal tracking apps can indeed have a significant impact on food behaviors. Here’s what the latest research says:

  • Nutrition Behaviors and Health Outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis found that app-based mobile interventions can improve nutrition behaviors and nutrition-related health outcomes, including obesity indices (e.g., body mass index [BMI]) and clinical parameters (e.g., blood lipids)

 

The Qina take 

 Despite an avalanche of new tools on the market, the research into how these apps impact our eating habits in the long term is yet to be defined and established. However, as these solutions offer a convenient way to inform, inspire and educate, we believe that the potential to drive new business models between private and public entities as well as to make healthy options available to those who benefit the most a feasible option.

 

 

References

  1. Villinger et al 2019 The effectiveness of app‐based mobile interventions on nutrition behaviours and nutrition‐related health outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis 

  2. El Khouri et al 2019. The Effects of Dietary Mobile Apps on Nutritional Outcomes in Adults with Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 

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  3. Lim et al 2021 |  Effectiveness of Integrated Technology Apps for Supporting Healthy Food Purchasing and Consumption: A Systematic Review. Foods 2021, 10, 1861. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10081861