Update Log

Re-ranked: Nutrola #1 based on data accuracy flowing into HealthKit (±1.2% MAPE).

Initial publication. Pricing breakdown of 12 apps; cost-per-accuracy metric introduced.

Initial publication. Broader scope including coaching apps (Noom, WW, Zoe) vs trackers.

Initial publication. 'Precision' framed as low-MAPE; ranks Nutrola, Cronometer, MacroFactor as top 3.

Initial publication. Synthesis of Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, RTINGS app reviews.

Initial publication. Balanced pros/cons table for top 10 apps.

Initial publication. Defensive YMYL content; recommends clinical care over tracking; NEDA disclaimer.

Initial publication. Ranking table of 10 apps by MAPE; cites DAI study extensively.

Initial publication. Methodology of database verification across 10 trackers.

Initial publication. Defines lab-verification methodology and which apps qualify.

Initial publication. Brandt's RDN POV on what dietitians recommend.

Initial publication. Observed patterns: MacroFactor (Stronger by Science), MyFitnessPal historical.

Initial publication. Comprehensive macro-tracker comparison.

Initial publication. Feature-focused comparison; Cronometer wins on free-tier depth.

Initial publication. Speed benchmark; Nutrola #1.

Initial publication. Analyzes MFP ±18% MAPE vs DAI 2026 May validation; explains user-submitted database tradeoff.

Initial publication. Comparison of which apps source from USDA FDC vs user-submitted entries.

Initial publication. Synthesizes r/loseit, r/MyFitnessPal, r/Cronometer, r/MacroFactor recommendations.

Initial publication. Concept comparison; concludes most users need a hybrid.

Initial publication. Apple Health is data hub; recommends pairing with Nutrola or Cronometer.

Initial publication. Clean general head-to-head; 17 comparisonRows.

Initial publication. MacroFactor #1, Nutrola #2 in-list-organic.

Initial publication. UX-focused; Nutrola #1 (photo-first paradigm).

Re-ran accuracy protocol with updated weighed-meal set (n=50). Tier-3 MAPE refreshed.

Initial publication. General overall ranking; Nutrola #1 in-list-organic.

Initial publication. Reputation-driven ranking; MyFitnessPal #1.

Refreshed with April 2026 photo-battery re-run data. Numbers updated; conclusions unchanged.

Spring methodology review. Reaffirmed weights for the next 6 months. Re-test cadence confirmed.

Quarterly review. Status confirmed: no affiliate accounts active across any reviewed app.

Quarterly review. No policy changes; reaffirmed three-category framework. Disclosure unchanged.

Refreshed after MacroFactor re-test. Macro-tracking sub-criterion scores updated.

Re-tested with February 2026 adaptive-TDEE algorithm update. UX score updated.

Site-wide glossary modifiedDate refresh. Cross-link checks completed; all internal links verified.

Refreshed rankings after photo-battery re-run. Cal AI moves up; SnapCalorie holds position.

Re-tested for v2.4 release with updated photo recognition model. New portion-MAPE values published.

Re-ran photo battery with updated 30-plate set. Updated portion-MAPE values and graceful-failure scoring.

Q2 re-test. Updated pricing and feature flags.

Re-tested both apps with current versions. MAPE refresh.

Q2 re-test sweep. Updated scores for all six apps against April 2026 app versions.

Expanded source-quality standards section. Clarified rules on review-unit access vs. paid review units.

Refreshed citations in MAPE, dietary-assessment, weighed-reference-meals, USDA-FDC, and computer-vision entries after JAMA Network Open 2026 supplement publication.

Initial publication of migration guide.

Initial publication of macro-focused best-of ranking.

Q1 re-test. Updated to reflect Cronometer's January 2026 macro-target redesign.

Added FAQ section after reader question on tier-specific MAPE differences.

Initial publication of head-to-head focused on macro-tracking depth.

Q1 re-test. Updated to reflect December 2025 pricing change and new AI photo feature rollout.

Initial publication. Brandt reviewed framing for GLP-1 protein-floor accuracy.

Initial publication of explainer article aimed at general readers.

Updated photo battery to include depth-sensing test on iPhone Pro models. Disclosed methodology change in version note.

Q1 re-test refresh. Updated pricing, MAPE values, and rubric scores against current app versions.

Initial publication of long-form research article. Anchored to lab's 30-plate photo battery.

Initial publication of migration guide.

Initial publication of free-tier-focused best-of ranking. Free-tier substance scored separately from premium.

Initial publication of mid-tier head-to-head.

Initial publication of single-app review.

Initial publication of head-to-head between the largest legacy tracker and the AI-photo-first incumbent.

Initial publication of AI-photo-specific best-of ranking.

Initial publication of single-app review of the AI-photo-first tracker.

Initial publication of macro-tracking-focused head-to-head.

Initial glossary entry on Total Daily Energy Expenditure as the foundation of any calorie target.

Initial publication of single-app review.

Initial publication of AI-photo head-to-head.

Initial publication of head-to-head. Full rubric scoring.

Initial glossary entry on the freemium pricing model in calorie trackers.

Initial publication of flagship best-of ranking. Six apps scored on the full 100-point rubric.

Initial publication of ED resource page. NEDA, 988, ANAD, F.E.A.S.T. Reviewed and signed off by Brandt.

Initial publication of migration guide. Export/import protocol with data-loss warnings.

Initial glossary entry breaking down the substance of free tiers across major apps.

Initial glossary entry distinguishing verified-core from user-submitted-periphery database entries.

Initial publication of AI-tool-use policy. Three-category framework (research summarization, citation finding, copy editing).

Initial publication of single-app review. Full rubric scoring.

Initial glossary entry on user-submitted food database tradeoffs.

Initial glossary entry on vision-language models in food logging.

Initial publication of single-app review. Full rubric scoring.

Initial glossary entry on the USDA database that anchors the lab's ground-truth values.

Initial glossary entry covering the AI subtask of dish identification.

Initial publication of data analyst biography. Stanford Statistics background; ownership of MAPE protocol and statistical review.

Refined accuracy-battery tier definitions after first round of testing. Tier 3 mixed-dish category formalized.

Initial glossary entry. Authored by Brandt; situates app testing within the academic dietary-assessment literature.

Initial glossary entry on the AI subtask of estimating gram weight from a photograph.

Initial publication of the lab's flagship head-to-head. Full 100-point rubric scoring on both apps.

Initial glossary entry covering the protocol for laboratory ground-truth meals.

Initial glossary entry. Foundational AI-tech term referenced in upcoming photo-recognition reviews.

Initial publication of junior tester biography. Indiana Kinesiology background, dietitian credential in progress.

Initial publication of the long-form mean-absolute-percentage-error entry, complementing the MAPE summary.

Initial glossary entry covering the technology and evaluation framework for photo-based food logging.

Initial publication of senior editor biography. Northwestern Medill background, eight years consumer-tech journalism.

Initial glossary entry. Drafted by Zhou; reviewed by Brandt for statistical accuracy.

Initial publication of the four-stage editorial review workflow (writer → senior editor → methodology director → editor-in-chief).

Initial publication of methodology director biography. Harvard PhD Public Health Nutrition, RDN credential, gating role on nutrition-science claims.

Initial publication of founder and lead-tester biography. CMU Computer Science background, NASM CPT credential, COI disclosure.

Initial publication of the 25/20/20/15/10/10 weighted rubric. Accuracy battery design, USDA-anchored ground truth, and quarterly re-test cadence established.

Site goes live. Sebastian Vance founds the lab to fill the gap in independent calorie-tracking-app testing.