After struggling for years with diets of every type ranging from starving to over-eating, the results were dismal. I would sometimes lose weight, look gorgeous and then two months later be back to my old fat self. Other diets simply had no impact weight-wise but ended up making me depressed and ill.

After chatting to a friend, I decided to take control and start with the basics – a totally healthy eating lifestyle with proper nutrition. Using my iPhone, I did research and found a range of apps that are easy to use and really put you on the right health track.

If you are struggling like I was, give some of these apps a try and you will solve your dieting problems forever.

 

1. My Diet Coach

I really liked the sound of this! It gave me a warm feeling that someone was out there looking after me. The app focuses on building healthy eating and fitness habits by allowing you to set weight-loss goals. You can track your meals with a diet calorie calculator and the app sends you friendly reminders to exercise, drink more water or cook up some fresh veggies.

2. Shopwell

Once I had decided on eating healthy, I found that I was reading all the fine print on products in the store. Quite a mission! The Shopwell app made it easy for me. Simply hold your phone against the barcode and the app reads in all the important nutritional information. The app builds up a personalized profile taking into account your goals, food allergies and special dietery requirements like vegetarian or banting. It then offers pointers on which foods to purchase or leave on the shelf.

3. Nutrino

Because I already had a mobile phone, I decided to purchase a cheap second hand iPhone specifically for my diet and nutrition apps. I found that my iCloud account was locked, but that was easily sorted using the Why the Lucky Stiff unlock iPhone 5 tips.
Nutrino was the next app I installed. This fabulous helper allows me to track my exercise activities and also helps to plan meals. Knowing what you are going to eat for the day removes so much stress. It also takes into account my special dietary requirement of being gluten-free.

4. MyFitnessPal

This fun app can really keep you busy keeping track of the calories you are consuming. It has over two million food items that can easily be looked up and calculated. If you are a budding Masterchef, it will work out the calories and nutrition on your designer menu, from starters to desserts. The app will also track the amount of exercise you are getting.

5. DietHero

This app really is my hero. If I don't have time to go out shopping, I simply tell it what I have in my pantry and it works out a fabulous and nutritious meal plan using those ingredients. I can save the meal and substitute or add other items if I want. The app will then generate a shopping list for my next trip. It also keeps track of your weight over a period of time, motivating you along.

6. Fooducate

Lastly, I must admit that I became a bit of a foodie expert with Fooducate. Again, simply scan the barcode and it will display a grading letter from A to D with a quick summary of nutritional info. Buy or avoid! It also offers helpful substitutes, so when you are craving for that dark chocolate cake, you won't go home feeling deprived but will have something in your basket that is just as delicious and healthy.

I managed to break the classic get-thin, get-fat-again cycle by using these apps and I am certain that you can too.