Anti-diet dietitians explain why apps for healthy eating are often flawedand anti-diet apps aren’t the exception just yet.

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As of 2019,over 318,000 health appswere available for download on app stores worldwide.

Intuitive eating is one of the cornerstones of the anti-diet movement.

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registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and author ofUnapologetic Eating: Make Peace with Food and Transform Your Life

I use a non-diet approach and dont recommend the use of dieting apps in my practice.

Whats the motivation and the intention behind it?'

Most nutrition apps dont do this, which is why she typically never recommends them to her clients.

An image of four wine glasses on a wooden surface

The exception:Recovery RecordorRecovery Warriors, which are designed specifically for those in eating disorder recovery.

(And even then, its a case-by-case basis.)

Thus, Harrison and Rumsey wouldnt necessarily qualify any nutrition or food-tracking app as anti-dietWellory included.

Young woman mixing ice coffee

For example, under the Whats important to you?

question in its entrance survey, Wellory lists weight loss among its potential options.

This is in direct conflict with the fact that anti-diet dietitiansneverset weight loss as a goal.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

But Emily Hochman, the founder of Wellory, sees it a bit differently.

While weight loss is still an entry point to Wellory, we view it purely as extrinsic motivation.

Every client comes to Wellory with their own challenges, preferences, and routines.

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.

But again, the intention behind the practice really matters.

What were your energy levels like?

Reflection prompts to get you to check in with your own body, she says.

red pigment in a wooden spoon

The bottom line: The utility of nutrition apps really depends upon the intent of the person using them.

Within the anti-diet framework, however, youll be hard-pressed to find a dietitian who recommends one.

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