The best food diary app should have these 6 features
Making changes to your eating habits can feel overwhelming – but the right food diary app can make it easier to stay motivated, build consistency and feel more in control. But with so many apps available, how do you know which one will truly support lasting change?
From effortless logging to personalised insights, we’ll cover the key features that make a real difference and help you keep going.
With Oviva, you’ll get access to our free app as part of our NHS-funded programme – plus a personalised weight loss plan and, if eligible, prescription weight loss medication.
Key Takeaways
- A food diary app can help you understand your habits, track progress and feel more in control.
- Regular tracking is linked to better weight loss outcomes in research studies.
- The best apps go beyond food logging – personalised insights, visual progress tracking and meal inspiration keep you motivated.
What to look for in a great food diary app
If you’re looking for the best food diary app in the UK, find one that does more than just track calories.
The right app should support long-term, sustainable change, helping you stay consistent, feel supported and better understand your habits.
Here are the key features to look for:
1. Logging should be fast and low-effort – or it won’t stick
Tracking your meals matters – but it has to be easy. If logging takes too long, it’s hard to stay consistent.
Look for features like:
- Photo-based meal logging
- Barcode scanning
- Saved meals for quick reuse
Why it matters:
One study found that people who logged at least 66% of their meals achieved more reliable weight loss. The easier it is to log, the more likely you are to keep going consistently.
With Oviva’s app, you can snap a picture of your meal and get instant AI-powered feedback – no manual entry needed.
2. Go beyond food – track mood, movement and more
The best apps help you take a whole-person approach to health.
Look for an app that tracks:
- Weight loss goals
- Physical activity
- Mood or symptoms
Why it matters:
Your progress is influenced by more than food.
Tracking different aspects of your wellbeing helps you understand the patterns, triggers and behaviours that may be impacting your choices – and show you where you need support.
3. Data is good – personalised insight is better
The real difference to your weight loss journey comes when your data leads to tailored, actionable feedback.
Look for:
- Instant coaching prompts
- Personalised summaries
- Access to real human support
Why it matters:
Personalised insight turns your data into small, specific actions – like adjusting portions, rethinking meal timing or finding what keeps you full for longer.
That’s why, with the Oviva app, you get real-time feedback on meals and 1:1 support from a health coach who will help you build a plan that suits your lifestyle.
4. Helpful recipe ideas save time and reduce guesswork
Meal planning can be one of the hardest parts of eating well – especially when you’re busy, tired or unsure what fits your goals. An app with built-in recipe ideas can take the guesswork out of daily decisions and help you feel more prepared.
Look for:
- Balanced, realistic recipes
- Meal ideas that suit your goals
- Quick options for busy days
Why it matters:
Having go-to meals helps you stay on track without relying on willpower alone. It also reduces the risk of yo-yo dieting or decision fatigue.
Our app includes meal ideas tailored to your goals, making everyday choices easier.
Get our 7-day health meal plan
5. Progress tracking should go beyond the scales
Weight isn’t the only measure of progress – some health improvements may not show up when you step on the scales. The best apps help you see the bigger picture, like healthy eating streaks and positive trends in your activity levels.
Look for tools like:
- Graphs and visual trends
- Healthy streaks
- Mood and energy tracking
Why it matters:
Seeing improvements, even small ones, keeps you motivated and accountable, especially when weight loss slows down.
Track changes in mood, activity and nutrition, so you can celebrate more than just a number.
6. Your data should be safe – and the app should be credible
You deserve to know your personal information is protected. Choose an app that takes data privacy seriously.
Look for:
- GDPR compliance
- Integration with trusted programmes
- Clinically backed support
Why it matters:
When you’re logging sensitive health information, you need to trust where it’s going and who’s using it. Choosing a credible, secure app gives you peace of mind, and confidence that the support you’re receiving is based on real clinical expertise.
Our app is part of an NHS-funded, clinically led programme. It’s fully GDPR-compliant and supported by a team of dietitians, doctors and health coaches.
Yes – food tracking really works
A study on dietary tracking for weight loss found that:
- People who tracked regularly were more likely to see meaningful weight loss
- Those who rarely or never tracked made less consistent progress
Keeping track of what you eat can make a big difference. It helps you stay accountable, notice habits and understand what’s helping, or holding you back.
But tracking isn’t just about calories. A holistic approach can help you see the full benefits of a healthier lifestyle – including non-scale victories like better energy, improved mood and more balanced routines.
How effortless tracking helped Adrianne lose 20 kg
Like many, Adrianne had tried countless diets and saw some short-term success. But as soon as the diet ended, the weight crept back.
With Oviva, she set a different kind of goal: to build healthier habits gradually and break out of the yo-yo dieting cycle for good.
Since then, Adrianne has lost 20 kg, not through restriction, but by focusing on small, sustainable changes.
Using the Oviva app made tracking feel simple and manageable – and that made all the difference.
My favourite feature is just snapping a photo of my meal and having all the ingredients recognised. It’s so simple and fits perfectly into my daily routine.
Why Oviva’s food diary app stands out
Oviva’s app is part of a personalised, NHS-funded weight management programme – combining simple tracking tools with expert one-to-one support.
What makes it different:
- Photo-based tracking – just snap a picture of your meal for instant, AI-powered feedback
- Sustainable behaviour change – move away from calorie counting and crash diets
- One-to-one coaching – get personalised advice from healthcare professionals
- Medication support – if eligible, you may be offered prescription options like Wegovy
If you’ve struggled to keep weight off despite your best efforts, Oviva can help you take a more supported, long-term approach.
Download your free info pack and speak to your GP to find out if you’re eligible for NHS-funded support.
Never count calories again
Easily log your meals with the photo diary in the Oviva app – a simple way to keep track of what you’re eating.
Set goals that feel right
Your health coach will help you set the right personal goals that bring you closer to your feel-good weight.
Keep track of your progress
With your unique goals set, the Oviva app has all the tracking you need to work towards them with ease.
Become an expert yourself
With learning content on nutrition, exercise, and motivation, you’ll become a weight-loss expert yourself.
Always there to support
Get 1-to-1 support from a health coach and chat with our nutrition experts anytime via the Oviva app.
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Guides for healthcare professionalsMeeting your local NHS Criteria, Identifying and Referring Patients for Tier 3 Support
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Weight management -
Weight management