Which smartphone apps can help me eat healthy?

To eat healthy, get the Fooducate app on your smartphone to take the guesswork out of deciphering food labels. Scan the UPC code and the app instantly evaluates the ingredients; it even recommends healthier alternatives in the same category. FoodFacts is handy for looking up nutritional values for the ingredients in a recipe -- especially helpful to the home cook who isn't relying on labels for info such as total calorie count.

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According to a study published today in the Archives of Internal Medicine, individuals in a structured, weight loss program who also used mobile technology (in this study, a personal digital assistant), which helped them monitor their daily food intake, weight, and physical activity lost an average of 9 pounds more than those in the same program but without the high tech monitoring system.

Some suggested apps recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics include Calorie Counter, which tracks food and exercise, includes daily inspirational articles, and healthy recipes; Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker by MyFitness Pal, which track fitness goals and features a nutrition analysis section; and Calorie Tracker by Livestrong.com, which is a food and fitness diary designed to help you achieve your diet and nutrition goals, whether you want to lose, maintain or gain weight.

Who knew your smartphone could help you lose weight!