Jiří Filip The food tracking app is on App One hundred and Google Play countless. However, the vast majority of them are, so to speak, "one-stop" - that is, an overview of tables, a food database, complicated manual recording and, ultimately, frustration that quickly ends the entire attempt at a healthier lifestyle. The Czech application Kaloria AI, however, takes a different approach. It is a nutrition application that uses artificial intelligence and, instead of manually filling out a menu, allows you to simply take a picture of your food. Yes, really just take a picture. And since we have been testing this application in the editorial office for some time, it is time to introduce it to you.
First impressions and environment
Since I had a problem with being slightly overweight in the past and since I managed to lose weight, I have been trying to deal with food at least in a basic way, food tracking apps are no stranger to me. When the creators of Kaloria AI contacted us, I was quite honestly skeptical at first, especially given my experience with other apps of this type. I have already failed at similar apps several times because I was quite bothered by their complexity or the general need to interact with them more than I was comfortable with.
But right after the first launch of Kaloria AI, it was clear that someone here was inspired by the best of Apple world. Miniminimalist, elegant design that could easily come from the workshop of Cupertino itself, and complete Czech including contextual explanations that really make sense. Nothing seems confusing or overly complicated - exactly how it should be in similar applications and how I personally like it very much. So the first impression cannot be anything other than good, which in my opinion is an extremely important factor in similar applications.
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How it all works
The main charm of the application is that it can recognize food from a photo. So, just point the camera at a plate, and within a few seconds, an accurate estimate of calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients will appear on the display. I admit that I expected relatively inaccurate estimates, but the reality surprised me. Kaloria AI managed to recognize most common dishes with surprising accuracy. When I tried it on homemade risotto, it was almost exactly right. It gets a little lost with more complex combinations, such as Asian food with multiple ingredients, but that's a problem that even much more advanced foreign competitors struggle with.
In addition to taking photos, you can of course also add food in the classic way via a database or barcode scanner. This works quickly and flawlessly, and the database of Czech products is surprisingly rich - definitely more than I expected from a new local application. So it rarely happens that you are completely clueless when entering food. The vast majority of things can be recognized by the application automatically, and the few that are not, you simply "click" in yourself.
AI mentor and customization
One of the most interesting features is the so-called AI mentor, which communicates with you and adapts to your goals. You can choose whether you want a more scientifically-minded expert or a friendly coach who motivates you. This feature feels unexpectedly natural. After I used the app for a few days in a row, the AI started to remember my habits and offered tips, for example, on how to improve breakfast or how to supplement my drinking regimen.
Combined with a clear diary, Kaloria AI feels more like a personal nutrition coach than just an app. At the same time, it still keeps things simple, with everything just one or two taps away, without unnecessary tabs or confusing graphs.
Features that make sense
In addition to tracking calories, there is also an overview of macro and micronutrients, monitoring of drinking regimen, weight or a visual diary. That's what I enjoyed the most - seeing photos of all meals in one overview is surprisingly motivating. You will realize how your diet is changing, and most importantly, that it is finally not boring. In addition, the application can work partially offline, which you will appreciate, for example, on the road or in the gym, where you do not want to be connected to Wi-Fi. Although it will not recognize new foods without an internet connection, it will of course offer you previously analyzed foods, saved meals or a food diary without the internet.
Real-world use
After several weeks of testing, I found that the speed and ease of use are what sets Kaloria AI apart from the competition. Thanks to the fact that I don't have to search for anything complicated, I've stayed with it longer than with all similar applications combined. It's not burdensome in normal use and you get results almost immediately. Of course, food recognition isn't infallible, but it works great in 80% of cases.
The great thing is that you can set in the application whether you want to lose weight, gain weight or maintain weight and based on your settings you fill out "cakes", thanks to which you know how many calories you have already taken in a given day and vice versa how many are left. Controlling food intake is therefore very simple in this respect and a person immediately has a better overview of their body.
What could be improved?
There are also some minor things that could be improved. For example, sometimes more precise data is missing for less common dishes or local specialties. And although the AI mentor is pleasantly human, it sometimes seems a bit too optimistic, for example when it praises you for a small progress that was actually no progress at all. Another minor shortcoming is that it still lacks full synchronization with Apple Health, which would make Kalorie a truly perfect addition to Apple Watch a iPhoneBut I believe that the creators of the application are just starting out and will be able to fix all these problems over time.
Summary
Kaloria AI is exactly the type of application that can be said to have "golden Czech hands". It not only matches the global competition, but surpasses it in several respects. It is beautifully designed, fully localized, fast and, most importantly, makes sense to use it every day. The fact that it can evaluate food from a photo is not just a fancy trick, but a really useful feature that will save you time and patience.
So if you've ever tried to track calories and given up because of the tedious writing, Kaloria AI could be the app that will finally change that. And even though it still has a few minor childhood illnesses, it already feels like a mature, well-thought-out project with the potential to become an everyday helper. Kaloria AI is simply proof that an app that deserves a place alongside world-class names can come from the Czech Republic. And if the developers keep up the pace, it could well be the one that makes the Czech healthy lifestyle a little smarter again.
More infomacYou can find more information about the application here.
I tried the app, but I have mixed feelings. Yes, even if it was 80% accurate, the remaining 20% will tell me more or less nonsense. For healthy weight loss, I would need more accuracy. In the current situation, as a first preview or FUN app, it's good, but for weight loss, I would rather use a calorie table app. BTW, I put a ready-made meal that had a calorie value of 350 kcal on the packaging on a plate, took a picture and the result of 550 kcal is useless.