Back in September, I mentioned that a regular blog reader had developed a low-carb dining iPhone application that provides nutrition information for food items at hundreds of restaurants, as well as links to some low-carb nutrition blogs, including this one. (The picture below is from that application.)
At the time, some of you wrote that you hoped an Android version would be released. Well, it’s available now. There’s a free version that includes some ads and a pro version that’s ad-free.
I still don’t own an iPhone or Android and don’t plan to buy either, so you’ll have to let me know what you think of the application.
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I downloaded the paid version since it’s only $1.99 and if you try it and don’t like it, they will refund it within a few hours. So far, so good. One of the better apps I’ve downloaded.
The only problem I’ve found is when I try to sign up for the low carb newsletter, my keyboard won’t pop up…?
Other than that, I like it.
I downloaded the paid version since it’s only $1.99 and if you try it and don’t like it, they will refund it within a few hours. So far, so good. One of the better apps I’ve downloaded.
The only problem I’ve found is when I try to sign up for the low carb newsletter, my keyboard won’t pop up…?
Other than that, I like it.
I’ve had this on my iPad since you introduced it last Sept…a good place to find fast food nutrition advice in one place. Saves checking out each restaurant website, some of which are not optimized for mobile devices. User comments have grown over this time and help narrow choices to the tastier option.
The app needs work. He/she needs to unescape HTML characters scraped from the web. The nutritional info is just a redirect to myfitnesspal, which is not the most reliable source since there are usually multiple entries for foods you have to sift through.
On another topic, you’re a programmer, and don’t have a smart phone?
Nope. I work with large databases and Windows desktop or web front-end clients. I don’t usually carry my cell phone (I do when we travel or if we’re out and a babysitter is home with the girls) and don’t like the notion that we should all be available 24/7. When I’m out, I like to be OUT.
Hooray, another person who doesnt use smart phones!! Personally I agree about being available 24/7, its exhusting. Second, its sad to watch families sitting at a table in a restaurant and they arent even talking to each other, just staring at screens.
I see that all the time and it annoys me.
I’m with you. I have an android smart phone, but actually I don’t use it as a phone but as a small computer. I miss almost all the calls I get, VErizon SUCKS big time on even getting a call OUT in my area, never open voice mail and tell folks I only WANT to hear from to call my home phone. I will text however. I have a call blocker app for ANY other calls other than my hapless friends and relatives who end up calling my home phone. Just what I want. If there is an emergency, text me and I will look.
I’ve never sent a text. I have no desire to type with my thumbs on those annoying little keypads.
I have a cell phone with unlimited talk/text for a cheap monthly rate, no data plan, and no contract. I hate seeing people tied to their phones/devices, and I hate when they nearly run into me on the street or in a hallway because I’m looking up and they’re looking down. My cell phone is my only phone, so I have it with me most of the time. But I have no problem ignoring phone calls and texts; you’re absolutely right–we should NOT be available 24/7. My daughter is not yet a year old, but I’m already thinking ahead to family dinners and outings when we will spend our time together actually together. I’m bracing myself for future, “But all my friends…”
As I was driving home on I-65 last night, an SUV drifted into my lane and forced me to swerve into another lane to avoid a collision. Sure enough, when I looked over at the offender, it was a woman chatting on her cell phone. (Before anyone gets angry, I’m blaming talking-while-driving, not gender.)
I’ve had this on my iPad since you introduced it last Sept…a good place to find fast food nutrition advice in one place. Saves checking out each restaurant website, some of which are not optimized for mobile devices. User comments have grown over this time and help narrow choices to the tastier option.
You know, there’s a point when acting defiant about modern technology slides from being the cool guy to being the old fart who is out of touch and can’t keep up with the rest of the world.
Saying, “I still don’t own an iPhone or Android and don’t plan to buy either,” is exactly the same as saying, “I don’t own a personal computer and I don’t plan on ever buying one either.” Or, “Those whipper-snappers are on my lawn.”
Dude. You’re better than that.
I’m happy to be the old fart who’s out of touch. I don’t want an iPhone or Android precisely because I prefer to be out of touch when I want to be. I value my free time and my privacy.
I buy technology when I’m convinced it will serve a function I consider valuable. I have no desire to text people or send tweets or check Facebook when I’m at a restaurant, an airport, a friend’s house, etc. There’s nothing I need to look up that can’t wait until I arrive at home, the office, or my hotel room if I’m traveling. And personally, I think people who can’t go a few hours or even a whole day unplugged have a problem.
The app needs work. He/she needs to unescape HTML characters scraped from the web. The nutritional info is just a redirect to myfitnesspal, which is not the most reliable source since there are usually multiple entries for foods you have to sift through.
On another topic, you’re a programmer, and don’t have a smart phone?
Nope. I work with large databases and Windows desktop or web front-end clients. I don’t usually carry my cell phone (I do when we travel or if we’re out and a babysitter is home with the girls) and don’t like the notion that we should all be available 24/7. When I’m out, I like to be OUT.
Hooray, another person who doesnt use smart phones!! Personally I agree about being available 24/7, its exhusting. Second, its sad to watch families sitting at a table in a restaurant and they arent even talking to each other, just staring at screens.
I see that all the time and it annoys me.
I’m with you. I have an android smart phone, but actually I don’t use it as a phone but as a small computer. I miss almost all the calls I get, VErizon SUCKS big time on even getting a call OUT in my area, never open voice mail and tell folks I only WANT to hear from to call my home phone. I will text however. I have a call blocker app for ANY other calls other than my hapless friends and relatives who end up calling my home phone. Just what I want. If there is an emergency, text me and I will look.
I’ve never sent a text. I have no desire to type with my thumbs on those annoying little keypads.
Since the voice part of the phone is so bad, I can at least communicate during times I need to, for instance, when I am cooling my heels waiting for my husband to return from some COMPUTER STORE I can summon him back. Texting can be very handy for short messages. When we pick family up at the airport or arrive ourselves, it is much easier to send a quick text letting them know what is going on. That eliminates much of the hassle, and as you know–airports and flying in general are a GIANT hassle. Why make it worse when a couple of punches with my fingers can inform and get us in or out of the hell of flying with less stress. N’est-ce pas?
If it works for you, cool. But Chareva’s phone doesn’t send or receive texts. Mine does, but I’ve never used that feature.
I have a cell phone with unlimited talk/text for a cheap monthly rate, no data plan, and no contract. I hate seeing people tied to their phones/devices, and I hate when they nearly run into me on the street or in a hallway because I’m looking up and they’re looking down. My cell phone is my only phone, so I have it with me most of the time. But I have no problem ignoring phone calls and texts; you’re absolutely right–we should NOT be available 24/7. My daughter is not yet a year old, but I’m already thinking ahead to family dinners and outings when we will spend our time together actually together. I’m bracing myself for future, “But all my friends…”
As I was driving home on I-65 last night, an SUV drifted into my lane and forced me to swerve into another lane to avoid a collision. Sure enough, when I looked over at the offender, it was a woman chatting on her cell phone. (Before anyone gets angry, I’m blaming talking-while-driving, not gender.)
You know, there’s a point when acting defiant about modern technology slides from being the cool guy to being the old fart who is out of touch and can’t keep up with the rest of the world.
Saying, “I still don’t own an iPhone or Android and don’t plan to buy either,” is exactly the same as saying, “I don’t own a personal computer and I don’t plan on ever buying one either.” Or, “Those whipper-snappers are on my lawn.”
Dude. You’re better than that.
I’m happy to be the old fart who’s out of touch. I don’t want an iPhone or Android precisely because I prefer to be out of touch when I want to be. I value my free time and my privacy.
I buy technology when I’m convinced it will serve a function I consider valuable. I have no desire to text people or send tweets or check Facebook when I’m at a restaurant, an airport, a friend’s house, etc. There’s nothing I need to look up that can’t wait until I arrive at home, the office, or my hotel room if I’m traveling. And personally, I think people who can’t go a few hours or even a whole day unplugged have a problem.
“And personally, I think people who can’t go a few hours or even a whole day unplugged have a problem.”
I’m an information (read internet) junkie and yet I agree 100% with that statement. But I’m not a “people person”, so maybe that’s the difference. My Tracfone ($100 a YEAR) serves me well and the dozen or so people who matter to me have the number.
As for other folks use of said technology, I don’t care as long as it keeps them quiet. But I do sometimes wonder just what they are looking at so intently for so long! Some form of entertainment – or are they really slow readers?
Unfortunately, for some it doesn’t keep them quiet. I disliked cell phones intently when they first came out because suddenly the world was full of people having needless phone conversations — often near me — just because they could.
I made the jump to a smartphone a couple years back, because I pretty much had to, but it wasn’t without some misgivings – I totally get your reluctance, Tom. (I remarked when I got it, “Oh great – something to fill up those two hours a day that I don’t already spend reading glowing rectangles…”)
And of course, now that I have it, I’m one of those people who can’t be without it. When I’m in an area without a cell signal, it’s kind of like how I used to feel if I only had a few cigarettes left after the stores had closed – even if I don’t want to smoke RIGHT NOW, what if I have to later and I can’t???
Keeping being that old fart 🙂
That’s the plan. I don’t even carry my cell phone most of the time, so I’m sure I can live without a smart phone.
I am with you, Tom! I also don’t own a smart phone – don’t ever care to – and use my cell phone more as a camera (don’t own one of those either) than a communication device. Working all day on a computer and having people all around make me appreciative of being unplugged for a while. I’m even limiting my online time at home to a minimum, much less feeling the need to check my email (I don’t do Facebook…yes, I am a total technology Neanderthal) while in the grocery store.
A couple of weeks ago on one of the first fine spring days in this area, I noticed a strange phenomenon as I went for a walk: all the adults out and about were looking down at little screens rather than up and around at the lovely day. Pretty sad.
Sorry if that’s off topic, but I honestly do think that DISconnecting for a while is vital to both our physical and mental health as much as eating well is.
Enjoy your cruise! I look forward to posts about it when you get back.
K2 (The Other K)
You nailed it. I see people in parks, restaurants, movie theaters, concert halls, airports, you name it … all zeroed in on their little screens, ignoring what’s going on around them, not to mention the people they’re with. For goodness sake, trying being WHERE YOU ARE now and then, not off in cyberspace.
This is perhaps even worse. On another afternoon when I was out for a stroll, I was passed by a woman pushing a baby jogger. Naturally, she had an MP3 player with her, but the really sad part was the little boy, about a year to 18 months old, in the stroller. Suspended by various straps in front of his face was a little DVD player with a cartoon playing. Talk about impressionable. That poor kid is going to associate being outdoors with watching a video screen.
It saddens me so to see people more and more plugged in, yet disconnected from real life. Life is not a series of ons/offs ones/zeroes strung together in code.
I get the irony that I am saying this on a blog, but I do not linger online…life is elsewhere.
All the best. And keep fighting the good fight.
K2
Oh … my …
I have been using this app for a little bit now and I like it. I use this in combination with the loseit.com app. I use loseit to track my carbohydrates for the day.
This combination really helped me when I first started eating low carb. I don’t have to track my carbs much now days, but loseit and the LC app really help for a newbie.
I made the jump to a smartphone a couple years back, because I pretty much had to, but it wasn’t without some misgivings – I totally get your reluctance, Tom. (I remarked when I got it, “Oh great – something to fill up those two hours a day that I don’t already spend reading glowing rectangles…”)
And of course, now that I have it, I’m one of those people who can’t be without it. When I’m in an area without a cell signal, it’s kind of like how I used to feel if I only had a few cigarettes left after the stores had closed – even if I don’t want to smoke RIGHT NOW, what if I have to later and I can’t???
Keeping being that old fart 🙂
That’s the plan. I don’t even carry my cell phone most of the time, so I’m sure I can live without a smart phone.
How was Tom “acting defiant”? I don’t have any plans to get a smartphone until I need one. It’s tempting and they look like fun, but there’s no technological need I can’t satisfy with my present laptop and (very) dumbphone. Plus, I’ve heard too much about privacy violations, data stealing, tracking, etc. I work at a college and it’s a constant fight to keep them off their phones in class. And before you put me in the old fart category, I’m considering learning some mobile programming to implement a GIS application idea of mine.
Four weeks ago I left my Android in a hotel room in Belgium. Haven’t replaced it or missed it yet. So I won’t be downloading the app for the foreseeable future. Besides, I do my very best to avoid chains and support local restaurants that source their food from nearby farms. Fortunately I live in a big city with hundreds of those choices. That was one of the main reasons we moved to Chicago.
Chicago is a great restaurant town.
I have been using this app for a little bit now and I like it. I use this in combination with the loseit.com app. I use loseit to track my carbohydrates for the day.
This combination really helped me when I first started eating low carb. I don’t have to track my carbs much now days, but loseit and the LC app really help for a newbie.
Instead of this app you can just head on over and let the “Man from CSPI” tell you how you are doing. http://www.foodday.org/quiz
I found the link on CSPI’S website. Looks like they are wanting folks to be vegetarian. . . .
That’s exactly what they want.
There was not an option to note how many eggs we eat per week, nor was there a lace to note how much oil we consumed. Also they equate “grass fed” with “extra lean” beef. Sigh… I got a D but can’t seem to care or believe them…
Instead of this app you can just head on over and let the “Man from CSPI” tell you how you are doing. http://www.foodday.org/quiz
I found the link on CSPI’S website. Looks like they are wanting folks to be vegetarian. . . .
That’s exactly what they want.
There was not an option to note how many eggs we eat per week, nor was there a lace to note how much oil we consumed. Also they equate “grass fed” with “extra lean” beef. Sigh… I got a D but can’t seem to care or believe them…
So you are one of those annoying people who I can never reach cuz they don’t even have their cell phones turned on, hahahaaaa…. Do you at least have a message machine? (I bet it’s one of those cassette based machines…)
I can understand about wanting to unplug and all, and yes, most of the time whatever it is can wait… but I can’t tell you how many times texting has saved the day for me. For example, My wife and I planned to meet in an airport (Greensville, SC, I think?), but we couldnt find each other (even tho its a tiny airport haha). Phone wasnt working for some reason, but the texting was. Was able to communicate with her and figure out where to meet. Day saved! There are loads more examples. To each his own, but it seems to me that refusing to text is being just a bit to curmudgeonly…
Chareva has a phone-only cell phone and usually forgets to turn it on even when she remembers to take it with her. The odds of us saving the day by texting each other are pretty much zero.
I explained my dislike of cell phones on my other blog:
http://www.tomnaughton.com/?p=551
Since writing that, I started working away from home and did pick up a cell phone, but I rarely use it.
So you are one of those annoying people who I can never reach cuz they don’t even have their cell phones turned on, hahahaaaa…. Do you at least have a message machine? (I bet it’s one of those cassette based machines…)
I can understand about wanting to unplug and all, and yes, most of the time whatever it is can wait… but I can’t tell you how many times texting has saved the day for me. For example, My wife and I planned to meet in an airport (Greensville, SC, I think?), but we couldnt find each other (even tho its a tiny airport haha). Phone wasnt working for some reason, but the texting was. Was able to communicate with her and figure out where to meet. Day saved! There are loads more examples. To each his own, but it seems to me that refusing to text is being just a bit to curmudgeonly…
Chareva has a phone-only cell phone and usually forgets to turn it on even when she remembers to take it with her. The odds of us saving the day by texting each other are pretty much zero.
I explained my dislike of cell phones on my other blog:
http://www.tomnaughton.com/?p=551
Since writing that, I started working away from home and did pick up a cell phone, but I rarely use it.
Off topic, but I hope you’ll see this in case you need some therapeutic head-banging. Two back-to-back stories on the local news (ABC affiliate) last night made me scream. #1 “Nutritionist” from the Cleveland Clinic stated that fat and protein should not be consumed before working out because they digest slowly and might make you feel sick. Eat fruit and cereal or bread – cue picture of cheerios blueberries and most likely skim milk. #2 The school in NY (I think) that now has an all-vegetarian cafeteria – featured interview with the principal with a significant double-chin touting the low-fat and cholesterol healthy offerings.
Have you seen these stories – would love to see you feature them with your usually scathingly humourous remarks.
I saw the second one. The Older Brother is taking over the Fat Head chair from today until May 13th, so I filed that story for later.
I bought a cell phone many years ago when I was planning to go on a long road trip with an old car. It had a big handset with a huge heavy battery, all together in a black case. After I got back from the road trip, my car was stolen here in a neighboring city. The phone fell out of the car in the process and was found on the street with a tire track over the full length of it. Something inside was cracked, but the thing continued to work just fine for many years — until the phone company phased it out for a different kind of service.
I still carry a little cell phone in the car with me for emergencies. Do I leave my cell phone on so people can reach me? Heqq no! Do I know how to do all the fancy things I’m supposed to be able to do with it? Why?
Off topic, but I hope you’ll see this in case you need some therapeutic head-banging. Two back-to-back stories on the local news (ABC affiliate) last night made me scream. #1 “Nutritionist” from the Cleveland Clinic stated that fat and protein should not be consumed before working out because they digest slowly and might make you feel sick. Eat fruit and cereal or bread – cue picture of cheerios blueberries and most likely skim milk. #2 The school in NY (I think) that now has an all-vegetarian cafeteria – featured interview with the principal with a significant double-chin touting the low-fat and cholesterol healthy offerings.
Have you seen these stories – would love to see you feature them with your usually scathingly humourous remarks.
I saw the second one. The Older Brother is taking over the Fat Head chair from today until May 13th, so I filed that story for later.
Today, I googled “nutrition facts” for first ground beef, then for white rice.
At nutriondata.self.com, the “weight gain” advice for the 90% lean ground beef was:
“THE GOOD: This food is low in Sodium. It is also a good source of Protein, Niacin, Vitamin B12 and Selenium, and a very good source of Zinc.
“THE BAD: This food is high in Cholesterol. This food also contains Trans Fat.”
The “weight gain” advice for long-grain white rice was:
“THE GOOD: This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Folate and Manganese.”
“THE BAD”??? Nothing there. They didn’t list anything bad about white rice.
I bought a cell phone many years ago when I was planning to go on a long road trip with an old car. It had a big handset with a huge heavy battery, all together in a black case. After I got back from the road trip, my car was stolen here in a neighboring city. The phone fell out of the car in the process and was found on the street with a tire track over the full length of it. Something inside was cracked, but the thing continued to work just fine for many years — until the phone company phased it out for a different kind of service.
I still carry a little cell phone in the car with me for emergencies. Do I leave my cell phone on so people can reach me? Heqq no! Do I know how to do all the fancy things I’m supposed to be able to do with it? Why?
Today, I googled “nutrition facts” for first ground beef, then for white rice.
At nutriondata.self.com, the “weight gain” advice for the 90% lean ground beef was:
“THE GOOD: This food is low in Sodium. It is also a good source of Protein, Niacin, Vitamin B12 and Selenium, and a very good source of Zinc.
“THE BAD: This food is high in Cholesterol. This food also contains Trans Fat.”
The “weight gain” advice for long-grain white rice was:
“THE GOOD: This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Folate and Manganese.”
“THE BAD”??? Nothing there. They didn’t list anything bad about white rice.
Oh..this really nice app. It’s give good nutrition information for food items.Thanks for sharing this post with us.
Oh..this really nice app. It’s give good nutrition information for food items.Thanks for sharing this post with us.
I carry a little carb counter paper pamphlet in my purse called “The Dinking Man’s Diet.”
Love it.
I carry a little carb counter paper pamphlet in my purse called “The Dinking Man’s Diet.”
Love it.