Web/Mobile App Critique

 Greetings Broders!

The mobile app I am familiar with is Carb Manager. I use this app to track my meals, workouts, and water intake to stay within my macros. I've been utilizing the app for a few years, but in very different ways and with different consistencies. 

This application is easy to use because it is simple to categorize inputs, customize macros, and monitor weight loss or gain. I like to input each meal by ingredient individually as much as possible. I can search for an item either by a search bar or scanning the barcode on the package. Customizing my macros has allowed me to continue using this app. I originally downloaded it as a Keto-only app, but as I discovered more sustainable ways to maintain weight loss, I wanted to switch to a high-protein lifestyle. This app allows you to change your macros by "diet" or based on your custom needs. The app also lets you input your weight to track changes and recommends macros based on your desired weight loss needs.

The design is immaculate and follows a chronological order. The app is designed with large fonts, bright colors, and buttons that stick out that grab your attention for the functions you utilize the most. This is an excellent design because it lets you see the course of your day while tracking how it applies to your macros. To evaluate the app's full functionality, I did some research. I wanted to research the functions the developers wanted the app to do. Overall the app does what it was intended to do; however, to find and use these functions, you have to play around with it and go through the different tabs. For example, when I went to their website (which I've never done before), I discovered that they had a meal planning function that creates a grocery list for you. It took me a minute or two to access the tab and subsection.  

There are a few recommendations I have for improvements. First, when you scan the barcode to input your food, it doesn't always recognize it. You must enter it manually or find something close enough to what you need. It would be more helpful if it realized every food scanned. Another improvement would be if you were able to get a free trial of the premium subscription before you buy. It would be great to experience what users would be paying for so that we know what we are missing out on if we subscribe; however, you only have the option to pay in full. There should be an option to pay monthly. Lastly, since you can track your workouts, it would be helpful if the app could connect to the fitness app on my Apple Watch. That would make it easier to track calorie burn in real time. 

Carb Manager is a great app, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to track their health journey. 

Happy Coding!

Lotus