[Jem Smith]

Lots of people who are dieting use apps to help them count calories. While these are supposed to help promote healthy eating, researchers have found that these apps can be dangerous because they can contribute to users developing eating disorders or making existing disorders worse. These apps can be used not just by adults but also teens as young as 13.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-48842898

[Fergal]

That's sad, they have that impact. I do hope that other people benefit from those apps. I'm grateful that I don't have any kind of eating disorder. I weigh myself every morning and write my weight down on a chart. Some people think that's obsessive, but personally I feel it only takes a minute and it has been a most helpful approach for me to keep control of my weight over the years.

I have a target weight every week and I try to reach or be below that weight at least four days of the week. If I don't meet that, I will generally have a day on the weekend where I mostly eat nothing but fruit on that day. The most I ever try to lose on a week is a 1/4 pound, i.e. my target weight never drops more than a quarter pound from one week to the next. I understand that this approach may not work for everyone, but it has been very successful for me, for years now.

Apologies, if it is inappropriate to talk about weight management in a topic about eating disorders, I suppose for lots of people those are not the same thing.

[Netherrealmer]

especially diets are not 1 size fits all.

[germainebull]

Lots of people who are dieting use apps to help them count calories. While these are supposed to help promote healthy eating, researchers have found that these apps can be dangerous because they can contribute to users developing eating disorders or making existing disorders worse. These apps can be used not just by adults but also teens as young as 13.

It's true that calorie counting apps can help but they also have a lot of risk. You know in Chinese they say xiǎoxīn, being careful is the key. They can often lead to eating disorders, especially for teens. It's like an Indian snake hiding in the leaves. Eventually, it shows its venom. If hustlers want a healthy lifestyle, they must know that balance is not obsession. The light of a lamp shines in the dark and shows the way to eat well without too much pressure and care.

[Spontaneo]

I use myfitnesspal faithfully every day. I watch my calories, sugar and sodium. I like to stay within 1,200 calories every day.

[eldavis]

I heard some of these calories counting apps are not accurate, how true is this?

[Spontaneo]

I heard some of these calories counting apps are not accurate, how true is this?

I would be lost without MFP. Such app is not after your money either.

I find such app to be very accurate. Just so I am told that I am not above 1,200 calories and stay within my limits for sodium and sugar, I am happy. Better than not being told!

[germainebull]

I heard some of these calories counting apps are not accurate, how true is this?

I would be lost without MFP. Such app is not after your money either.

I find such app to be very accurate. Just so I am told that I am not above 1,200 calories and stay within my limits for sodium and sugar, I am happy. Better than not being told!

Interesting. How does MFR get the calories data?