Web/Mobile App Critique

 

Carb Manager is a meal planning and tracking application used by individuals following a low-carb or Ketogenic diet plan to monitor the number of carbohydrates consumed throughout the day.  Users can choose between a Free or Premium version paid annually, unlocking additional site features.  Some Premium features include access to an extensive recipe database, in-depth goal-setting and macronutrient calculators, shopping lists, and members-only site areas and articles.  The application is available on iPhone and Android and receives regular updates

Planning meals using Carb Manager is done with ease. Pertinent areas within the application are readily assessable, and navigation is simple. If the user has food or meals they eat often, the entry can be saved in the My Favorites section of the application for easy access. Users can scan barcodes and take pictures of items for logging, or manual entry is also available for those wanting a hands-on approach. Premium users have the option to select meals for an entire week, which also includes recipes and shopping lists for needed ingredients.

   

All logged meals for the week get converted into graphs which provide the user with a visual depiction of their eating habits during the given week. Visualization is an excellent feature as users can see their trouble spots as well as areas where they are on track with the goals they have set for themselves. The application also has an option for specified times for meals and meal reminders.

For users wanting a big-picture approach to their health goals, the Premium version allows the linkage of multiple Health and Fitness applications.  Carb Manager will sync with the selected applications daily once data is available. Also, a new feature added to the application within the last year is the option of logging meals following an Intermittent Fasting schedule. Individuals following an intermittent fasting schedule place limits on when they consume calories and eat only within a specified eating window. “Research shows that intermittent fasting is a way to manage your weight and prevent — or even reverse — some forms of disease” (Intermittent Fasting: What Is It, and How Does It Work?, 2021). 

Challenges are available for users with a competitive nature to compete against other members on the platform to meet their goals. Each day, the user can receive up to 130 collective points from daily steps, water intake, protein consumption, fat consumption, and exercise. The user does not receive a tangible prize at the end of the challenge; however, personal accomplishment and motivation are achieved. 

Ultimately Carb Manager is an excellent application for individuals wanting to take control of their health and hold themselves accountable for what foods they put into their bodies. With discipline, the application can be beneficial to all who use it. However, the developers could improve the application in a few areas. Here are a few things that stand out to me.

• High focus on Keto - Over the years, the application has shifted to a strong focus on the Ketogenic Diet instead of simple low-carb. The ketogenic push can result in users selecting other applications where Keto is not heavily mentioned, as everyone does not desire the Ketogenic path.

• Old Logs - Users taking a break from the application and returning may have difficulty locating their daily logs from the past. There should be an option for users to see a list of all past logs, preferably by month and year, so users and quickly jump to different points in time to see progress.

• Water Reminders – The application should include reminders for users to drink water. Water reminders will be beneficial as individuals are more likely to forget to drink water than eat.  

Reference:

Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work? (2021). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/intermittent-fasting-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work