/** * This file represents an example of the code that themes would use to register * the required plugins. * * It is expected that theme authors would copy and paste this code into their * functions.php file, and amend to suit. * * @package TGM-Plugin-Activation * @subpackage Example * @version 2.3.6 * @author Thomas Griffin * @author Gary Jones * @copyright Copyright (c) 2012, Thomas Griffin * @license http://opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php GPL v2 or later * @link https://github.com/thomasgriffin/TGM-Plugin-Activation */ /** * Include the TGM_Plugin_Activation class. */ require_once dirname( __FILE__ ) . '/class-tgm-plugin-activation.php'; add_action( 'tgmpa_register', 'my_theme_register_required_plugins' ); /** * Register the required plugins for this theme. * * In this example, we register two plugins - one included with the TGMPA library * and one from the .org repo. * * The variable passed to tgmpa_register_plugins() should be an array of plugin * arrays. * * This function is hooked into tgmpa_init, which is fired within the * TGM_Plugin_Activation class constructor. */ function my_theme_register_required_plugins() { /** * Array of plugin arrays. Required keys are name and slug. * If the source is NOT from the .org repo, then source is also required. */ $plugins = array( // This is an example of how to include a plugin pre-packaged with a theme array( 'name' => 'Contact Form 7', // The plugin name 'slug' => 'contact-form-7', // The plugin slug (typically the folder name) 'source' => get_stylesheet_directory() . '/includes/plugins/contact-form-7.zip', // The plugin source 'required' => true, // If false, the plugin is only 'recommended' instead of required 'version' => '', // E.g. 1.0.0. If set, the active plugin must be this version or higher, otherwise a notice is presented 'force_activation' => false, // If true, plugin is activated upon theme activation and cannot be deactivated until theme switch 'force_deactivation' => false, // If true, plugin is deactivated upon theme switch, useful for theme-specific plugins 'external_url' => '', // If set, overrides default API URL and points to an external URL ), array( 'name' => 'Cherry Plugin', // The plugin name. 'slug' => 'cherry-plugin', // The plugin slug (typically the folder name). 'source' => PARENT_DIR . '/includes/plugins/cherry-plugin.zip', // The plugin source. 'required' => true, // If false, the plugin is only 'recommended' instead of required. 'version' => '1.1', // E.g. 1.0.0. If set, the active plugin must be this version or higher, otherwise a notice is presented. 'force_activation' => true, // If true, plugin is activated upon theme activation and cannot be deactivated until theme switch. 'force_deactivation' => false, // If true, plugin is deactivated upon theme switch, useful for theme-specific plugins. 'external_url' => '', // If set, overrides default API URL and points to an external URL. ) ); /** * Array of configuration settings. Amend each line as needed. * If you want the default strings to be available under your own theme domain, * leave the strings uncommented. * Some of the strings are added into a sprintf, so see the comments at the * end of each line for what each argument will be. */ $config = array( 'domain' => CURRENT_THEME, // Text domain - likely want to be the same as your theme. 'default_path' => '', // Default absolute path to pre-packaged plugins 'parent_menu_slug' => 'themes.php', // Default parent menu slug 'parent_url_slug' => 'themes.php', // Default parent URL slug 'menu' => 'install-required-plugins', // Menu slug 'has_notices' => true, // Show admin notices or not 'is_automatic' => true, // Automatically activate plugins after installation or not 'message' => '', // Message to output right before the plugins table 'strings' => array( 'page_title' => theme_locals("page_title"), 'menu_title' => theme_locals("menu_title"), 'installing' => theme_locals("installing"), // %1$s = plugin name 'oops' => theme_locals("oops_2"), 'notice_can_install_required' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_install_required"), theme_locals("notice_can_install_required_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_can_install_recommended' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_install_recommended"), theme_locals("notice_can_install_recommended_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_cannot_install' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_cannot_install"), theme_locals("notice_cannot_install_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_can_activate_required' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_activate_required"), theme_locals("notice_can_activate_required_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_can_activate_recommended' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_can_activate_recommended"), theme_locals("notice_can_activate_recommended_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_cannot_activate' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_cannot_activate"), theme_locals("notice_cannot_activate_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_ask_to_update' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_ask_to_update"), theme_locals("notice_ask_to_update_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'notice_cannot_update' => _n_noop( theme_locals("notice_cannot_update"), theme_locals("notice_cannot_update_2") ), // %1$s = plugin name(s) 'install_link' => _n_noop( theme_locals("install_link"), theme_locals("install_link_2") ), 'activate_link' => _n_noop( theme_locals("activate_link"), theme_locals("activate_link_2") ), 'return' => theme_locals("return"), 'plugin_activated' => theme_locals("plugin_activated"), 'complete' => theme_locals("complete"), // %1$s = dashboard link 'nag_type' => theme_locals("updated") // Determines admin notice type - can only be 'updated' or 'error' ) ); tgmpa( $plugins, $config ); } The 11 Best Meal Planning Apps to Help You Lose Weight

The 11 Best Meal Planning Apps to Help You Lose Weight

This feature may be convenient for tracking your overall progress. The real advantage comes from choosing one that matches your personality and lifestyle. When you find one that makes it easier to plan, log, and stay consistent, macro tracking becomes less of a chore and more of a tool that quietly supports your progress. Your friend’s macro targets were calculated for their body weight, activity level, and goals, not yours.

MyFitnessPal – The Best Free Macro Tracking App Overall

Tracking included how the app records and displays key data such as fasting windows, eating windows, weight, basic biometrics, and sometimes mood or sleep. We chose Reverse Health as our pick for the best intermittent fasting app for weight loss because it treats weight management as a whole-body process, not just a fasting schedule. Its combination of personalized nutrition, educational support, and expert-backed coaching makes it ideal for busy professionals seeking measurable, long-term results. The app is aimed at intermittent fasting for women but can be used by anyone.

best diet and nutrition tracking apps

Best for meal prepping

The rechargeable battery is a genuine convenience advantage, and the compact design suits smaller kitchens and travel well. Just be aware that its food database and advanced features are notably more limited compared to the $39–$45 models reviewed here. The RENPHO Smart Food Scale is the most affordable entry point into smart nutrition tracking. It delivers basic functionality with 22 nutrition values and smartphone connectivity — a reasonable starting point if you want to test the concept before committing to a full-featured model.

The underlying database is community-sourced with partial verification, which means nutritional accuracy can vary. What once required weighing every gram and manually searching databases now takes a single photo or a quick voice note. Natural language processing turns spoken meal descriptions into structured nutrition data.

Cronometer – Best for Detailed Nutrition & Meal Planning

Photo logging reduces friction the most for users who unimeal review cook mixed meals or eat out frequently. Most apps now support all three — pick the one where your most common meal type is easiest to log. MacroFactor calculates your actual metabolic rate from logged intake and weight trends, then adjusts calorie and macro targets weekly.

Daily lessons on nutrition and healthy habits provide educational content to facilitate sustainable lifestyle changes. Noom’s program typically involves a higher cost compared to other applications. Users can establish goals according to their willpower and track their progress visually. Also has a community setup that inculcates support and motivation among users.

For many users, this approach turns food tracking into a personal coaching experience. Best fitness and nutrition apps go beyond basic food logging; instead, they provide insights into eating habits and offer personalized recommendations for sustainable lifestyle changes. Usually, a free nutrition tracker app integrates with fitness trackers for a more detailed health approach.

From generic databases to verified precision

best diet and nutrition tracking apps

Compare the main free features of leading calorie tracking apps. On smaller screens, scroll horizontally to view all columns. It also prioritizes privacy, with encrypted data storage and no ads, even in the free version which includes calorie and macro tracking with full database access. Manual food logging works for a lot of people, but it’s not for everyone. If logging your food feels like a chore, these apps are built to make it easier, faster, or at least less annoying. Whether that means snapping a quick photo or using voice input, these picks are all about saving time.

Create your meal plan right here in seconds

Greater Goods Nutrition Scale — Precise macro tracking is non-negotiable for maintaining ketosis and monitoring net carbs accurately. Don’t risk breaking ketosis with imprecise measurements from a cheaper model. The NUTRA TRACK Scale represents the pinnacle of this category’s quality sweet spot, earning our “Best Premium” designation.

Side-by-Side Comparison of the Best Food Tracking Apps

  • For users who want broader food coverage, AI features, and deeper nutrient tracking, the Nutrola diet app offers significantly more at a lower price point.
  • Different people use nutrition apps for very different reasons, from eating more regularly to optimizing performance.
  • AI Restaurant Menu Scan reads any menu and recommends choices.
  • It can lift your mood, lower blood pressure and help you sleep better.
  • The clearer your goal, the easier it is to pick an app whose features (like meal planning, macro tracking, or habit coaching) match what you actually want to change.
  • Accuracy depends on the model quality and whether the app cross-references estimates against a verified database.

MyFitnessPal works for basic calorie counting, but the crowdsourced database means you need to verify entries yourself. For users who want verified accuracy and AI-powered speed, the Nutrola diet app is the stronger option at a fraction of the premium price. Choosing the right diet app can be the difference between hitting your goals and giving up within a week. Research shows that consistent dietary self-monitoring doubles weight loss outcomes (Burke et al., 2011), and the best diet apps in 2026 make that process faster and more accurate than ever.

Nutrola — Best Overall Calorie Tracker for Weight Loss

If you’re just starting out, the RENPHO is a functional introduction — but be honest about your goals, because most dedicated trackers upgrade within months regardless. MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular calorie-counting apps, and it’s now AI-enhanced. Like other smart calorie counters, it starts by asking about your goals, lifestyle, and health, and then it creates a custom daily calorie budget to help you reach your targets. More recently, Strava has doubled down on Athlete Intelligence, a tool that utilizes your workout history to assess the quality of a specific workout and provide context for your improvement over time. Essentially, Strava offers personalized, tailored workouts, without committing to a long-term plan.

Best Calorie Tracking Apps for Weight Loss in 2026

Is a good entry point for users who want basic calorie counting without paying anything. For users who need more nutrient depth, AI accuracy, or diet flexibility, upgrading to the Nutrola diet app is the natural next step. A ranked list of the 8 best diet apps in 2026, compared by accuracy, AI features, nutrient depth, pricing, and value.

A day where you went over your calorie target because of a stressful work week and a day where you went over because you celebrated a birthday look identical in the log. The app can't distinguish them, and its suggestions don't account for the difference. This is the gap behavioral apps like Noom try to address — with varying results. Cronometer's free tier is also genuinely strong — it covers the full 84-nutrient breakdown, which is more than most paid apps include. For users where micronutrient depth matters, Cronometer free is the stronger call. For users who just need calorie and macro basics, FatSecret has less friction.

Reach & maintain your goal weight

WeightWatchers suits users who thrive on community support and prefer a simplified system over detailed tracking. For users who want real nutritional data, AI-powered logging, and modern features, the Nutrola diet app is the better choice at a lower cost. Leading nutrition apps now use AI to coach you, scan restaurant menus, and suggest meals. Food scanning — from barcode readers to AI photo recognition — has become a core feature of every serious calorie tracker. The top apps in 2026 treat AI as a core feature, not a gimmick.

For users who care about what they're actually eating rather than just hitting a calorie number, Cronometer's data quality is in a different category from crowd-sourced alternatives. We chose Yazio as the best intermittent fasting app with calorie tracking because it bridges the gap between fasting and everyday nutrition. For professionals who prefer a data-driven approach, it provides a clear picture of progress—combining meal logging, fasting schedules, and nutrient tracking in one place. Yazio’s balance of structure and insight makes it ideal for those who enjoy measurable results without having to use multiple apps.