Synopsis of the App: FoodSwitch helps users assess how “healthy” packaged foods are by simply scanning their barcodes.
Price and Platform: Free. Apple and Android.
RDN Score: 3/5
Pros
Simple design that’s easy and fast to use.
Filter results based on your need for general health or a focus on lower sodium.
Scan packaged foods to discover easy-to-understand nutrition information.
“The Switch” provides a list of healthier food choices you can swap in.
Includes calories and kilojoules, fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt.
Get a glimpse of how “healthy” a food is using the health star rating or traffic light labeling mode for more visual learners.
Easily compare nutrition information for up to 10 products at once.
Scanned products are ordered from most to least healthy.
Create a list for easy future recall and reference.
Swipe left to add foods to a shopping list.
Includes a tutorial on how the app works, how to understand the traffic light label results and how to understand health star ratings.
FoodSwitch is currently accepting suggestions for new foods by prompting users to share photos and other information on foods not found in the database.
Cons
Many popular American brands are not included in the database.
Healthier choices are not always comparable in function. For example, tapioca flour, polenta and unsweetened baking cocoa were listed as healthier options for a chocolate muffin mix.
Bottom Line: FoodSwitch is ideal for anyone seeking healthier packaged food options. However, for users in the U.S., an app with a more comprehensive database may be a better choice.
Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, is based in Atlanta and specializes in culinary nutrition, communications and consulting. She blogs at marisamoore.com. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Synopsis of the App: FoodSwitch helps users assess how “healthy” packaged foods are by simply scanning their barcodes.
