By now you know that what you eat can impact how you feel and how long you live. But that doesn’t make it much easier. With all the information being thrown around today, it’s hard to know who to listen to, what to believe, and what changes will actually make a difference. And that’s why taking advantage of new technologies can help.
The health technology field is growing quickly. If you own a cellphone with access to different applications, or apps, know that health is one of the fastest-growing app categories to date. That’s because people are constantly using any means they can to get the latest information—and that means turning to technological advancements.
MORE: What you need to know about telehealth
That’s why I’m excited to tell you about a few new developments that can really make a difference in your life:
1. The cell phone has come a long way since the first cell phone call was made exactly 40 years ago. If you don’t know how to download apps on your cellphone or tablet, then ask your kids or grandkids to show you how—because this one is really worth it. The new app is called “Auggy” and it’s geared to help consumers make smart healthy choices when they dine out. When you eat out at a restaurant, you use your mobile device to point at the menu, and then you’ll see a 3D picture of the food options, and their nutritional information on your screen. You can find out just how healthy it is, and it’s a great way to uncover any ingredients that you don’t want to be eating (for example, if you have a food sensitivity or allergy). The only catch: restaurants must first upload the photos and nutritional information to the “Auggy” developers in order to have their restaurant included on this app. That means it may take a while before consumers like you can reap its full benefits.
2. This next development comes from the Dieticians of Canada and EatRight Ontario, who have created an online survey called Nutri-eSCREEN, specifically geared towards helping seniors improve their eating habits. You can go online and fill out a short questionnaire about your health, your nutrition, and your lifestyle. Then, you receive results about how well you’re doing and the areas you need to improve on. You’ll also get a link to more resources to improve your eating habits. The web site and questionnaire were designed by University of Waterloo professor Heather Keller, who said she wanted to provide seniors with resources to help stick to the recommended dietary allowances of certain food groups, and make sure they’re getting the proper nutrients, especially since this is challenging as you age. According to recent studies, seniors have significant obstacles preventing them from eating right, such as financial difficulties, and lack of access to nearby grocery stores.
Recent studies show that eating right can get more difficult as you age—but it doesn’t have to. Take advantage of every tool that you have, such as helpful surveys and apps like we mentioned, and web sites that help you live a healthier life.
Source(s) for Today’s Article:
“Online tool helps seniors improve nutrition,” The Toronto Star April 3, 2013; http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/nutrition/2013/04/03/online_tool_helps_seniors_improve_nutrition.html, last accessed April 4, 2013.
“Eating habits survey,” Nutri-eSCREEN web site; http://www.eatrightontario.ca/escreen/, last accessed April 4, 2013.