There are numerous factors to consider when deciding what to eat and drink including nutritional content, dietary restrictions and allergies, convenience, cost, and taste preferences. The apps listed below can help simplify the process by providing tools for tracking nutritional information, grocery shopping, hydration, and dining out. They are free to download on both iOS and Android, except where otherwise noted. Some of the apps have expanded versions available for purchase.
Nutrition Tracking
Down Syndrome Good Health
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is an app from Down Syndrome Australia that helps users track meals, water intake, exercise, and activities/mood. It is available in the App Store for iOS devices (Apple products).
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal offers tracking tools to help users meet their fitness and health goals. The app features trackers for nutrition, water intake, weight, exercise, and sleep.
Start Simple with MyPlate
Start Simple with MyPlate offers tools for setting and tracking goals related to the food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy). It offers simple tips as well as more detailed nutrition information.
MyNetDiary
MyNetDiary is a calorie counter app with a barcode scanner and food, water, and exercise trackers. Reviewers note that it is one of the easiest nutrition apps to use.
Cronometer
Cronometer offers more detailed nutrition tracking compared to other tracking apps (including vitamins and minerals along with the standard calories and macronutrients).
Fooducate
Fooducate features a barcode scanner that provides a personalized nutrition grade (based on personalized health data and goals) for each food product scanned. Fooducate also includes a diet planner and a number of education resources.
Dining Out and Shopping with Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
GLUTEN FREE
Find Me Gluten Free
Eating out when you are gluten-free can be challenging. Find Me Gluten Free makes it easier by helping you find nearby restaurants with gluten-free options according to your specifications.
The Gluten Free Scanner
The Gluten Free Scanner simplifies gluten-free grocery shopping by providing a barcode scanner that quickly checks products for gluten and provides analysis.
FOOD ALLERGIES
AllergyEats
AllergyEats generates a list of nearby restaurants ranked by allergy-friendly ratings to make dining out safer and simpler for individuals with food allergies.
Spokin*
Spokin provides resources for a variety of food allergies. It helps users identify safe foods, restaurants, bakeries, and recipes. It also provides articles on topics such as top rated celiac-friendly pizza restaurants, Disney World with food allergies, allergy-friendly campus guides, and more.
*Only available on iOS
VEGETARIAN/VEGAN
HappyCow
HappyCow helps users find vegetarian and vegan-friendly dining options. You can search by location and restaurant type and view user reviews.
Grocery Shopping Lists
Our Groceries Shopping List
Going to the store with a list can make it easier for you loved on to stay on track with making healthy choices. Our Groceries allows you to upload photos of the items on your grocery list to make choosing the right items easy. The app can also sync across multiple family members’ devices to keep everyone up to date on family shopping needs.
Anylist
Anylist automatically organizes items into categories as you enter them, making grocery shopping more efficient. It can also sync across multiple devices and users.
Hydration
Plant Nanny Water Tracker Log
Plant Nanny makes staying hydrated more fun by tying water consumption to the growth of cute, virtual plants. To keep the plants alive, users must drink and log a specified amount of water every day.
Waterllama*
Waterllama provides a fun and colorful llama-themed water tracker along with reminders for drinking water.
*Only available on iOS
Drink Water Aquarium
Drink Water Aquarium allows users to track their water consumption by filling a virtual aquarium with water while providing reminders to hydrate. Several features to help motivate users to stay hydrated are also included—fish dance to celebrate water consumption and new fish are added overtime when users stay on track with their hydration goals. Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store .
We are sharing information about specific apps for educational purposes only. The Adult Down Syndrome Center does not receive financial support or compensation for sharing information about these apps.
Last updated 11/1/2023
Additional resources are available in the Nutrition and Weight section of our Resource Library.