Apps for Life: My Net Diary

My Net Diary app

In the spirit of the New Year’s Resolutions, I recently purchased the “My Net Diary” app for my iPhone.  As I try to lose a few pounds, I thought this app would help me reach my goal.  A week into it, I have been slapped in the face with a few realities:

• I became aware of the high caloric content of foods I ate on a regular basis…who knew, I thought I usually ate healthy.
• I take in much more sodium than the recommended daily allowance…and I don’t usually salt anything.
• Foods that “appear” to be healthy may have low food scores (not necessarily about calories, but nutritional value).
• If I fit in daily exercise, I get to eat more everyday…that’s a good thing.

So, what do I love about this app?  There is a ton to love and here are a few of my favorite features:

• Easy set-up:  Input your age, gender, height, activity level, current weight, goal weight, and target date.  The app will then calculate your daily calorie intake needed to reach your goal by your goal date or to continue maintaining your weight.
• Extensive database of food items to choose from when logging meals and snacks
• Ability to scan the barcode for ease in logging meals
• Can track nutritional intake and water consumption
• Food scores
• Easy to track and input daily exercises/activities
• Daily analysis of what was nutritionally good and bad about my day

The app features are very extensive and I probably won’t use all that’s available; however, I find myself using this app everyday…it’s become habit.  And you know what they say about getting healthy…it starts by forming a habit!

By the way – I have lost a couple of pounds so far!

Raina Chezem, Midwest Regional Director, Nelnet Partner Solutions