14 DAY TRIAL // Nutrition is nowadays a global concern. Apart from the issues regarding the poverty in third world countries and the struggle to end world hunger, food has become much of a problem for most high-developed countries, as they face problems with obesity. While others are desperate for food, an overwhelming percent of people from around the world face the possibility of illness and even death, caused by too much food. The United States has to deal with the worst situation, most Americans being considered overweight.
Alongside the very serious concern about the growing obesity phenomena, other nutritional disorders such as anorexia and bulimia raise awareness regarding the unhealthy and dangerous eating habits the 21st century humans have developed. These habits affect adults, but also more and more adolescents and children, even infants.
Well, software developers save the day once more, creating a software that all the family can use to keep an eye on their eating habits, to stay healthy and fit (ending world hunger and eliminating obesity is now just around the corner...).
The software I'll be reviewing today is called Diet Diary, it allows you to monitor exactly how much you eat and can help you lose/gain weight the healthy way, or maintain your current figure. Also, it keeps track of the exercises you make (or don't make), balancing everything to best counsel you as to become and stay healthy.
The tool is impressive, it calculates basically every gram of food you ingest, every minute of exercise you put in, and lets you know whether you should have another snack or jump on the stepper.
What I found to be amazing about this software is the extremely large database of foods it stores. It has over 50, 000 foods recorded, with nutritional information and everything. If what you eat is not among these recorded foods, simply add it to your customized list. If you just had a piece of your mother's sublime, 5000 calorie chocolate cake, don't pretend you had frozen yogurt, you won't be fooling anyone. Add the chocolate cake to your list and admit the deed. The foods database is automatically updated with the latest version.
Everything works by drag and drop, foods can easily be searched through the huge database. Once you've found the items on your menu, just drag them onto the corresponding meal (the interface is commander-like, so it's very easy to use). Do the same with the exercises you do each day. The software will automatically calculate what got in, what burnt out and what's your balance. If you've got calories left, it's the gym, baby!
Diet Diary can manage up to five users, so one copy can be used by the whole family. Switching between users is a (zero-calorie) piece of cake! When a user is recorded, the software asks for the height and weight, calculates the body mass index, and qualifies the user as underweight, normal, overweight or obese. The user will then set his/her target (loose/gain/maintain weight), and the software will calculate how much should the user eat.
Not only can you keep track of calories, but also of the nutrients and substances you've ingested, like fibers, carbohydrates, fat (saturated or non-saturated), cholesterol, sodium, calcium and others. The software will also provide with graphical reports (several types), visually illustrating what exactly you brought in. You can perform check-ins whenever you feel the need, and the software will record your measured weight and sizes, so you can keep better track of your evolution and of the progress you're making, if any.
Whether you're in nutritional trouble or you'd just like to keep a close watch on what you eat, Diet Diary is a good software tool that you can use. It provides with a huge database of food, it's easy to use and the whole family can benefit.
The Good
Diet Diary is a very well made calorie-tracking tool that will surely provide with a helping hand when nutrition is concerned. The software has great features, the interface is very friendly, it's easy to use and allows up to five different users.
The Bad
Not much to criticize, really, but I should say it's a little expensive, with a price tag of $45. But then again, who bargains when health is concerned?
The Truth
If nutrition is a major concern for you and you feel this type of software would prove useful to you, than Diet Diary is a great pick. The software works really good and you can try it for free for seven days before purchasing.
These are the screenshots:
