Nutritional food labels can be confusing, and people may have a hard time locating and understanding the useful data. The Smile Food System app offers a quick evaluation of the nutritional value of a food item, using only selected items from the Nutrition Facts Table. Fast and simple information can lead to consistency of food selections and beneficial steps towards a healthy lifestyle. These actions may lead to enjoying food that fills you up without stuffing you with unhealthy (and often addictive) unnecessary food components, like sugar, salt, and fats, and other additives. You can be sure your main meals are nutritious and not just snacks, treats, and desserts. When you want an occasional treat or dessert, however, the app can help with that, too. This app helps start good habits when young, and it can help you erase bad habits and start eating healthfully as an adult also. As you age, the app helps you select nutritious foods that lower the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, improve your weight and mood, and give you more energy with fewer mid-day crashes!
The Smile Food System app is free, simple, and fun to use on mobile devices. The app judges whether a food is a good nutritional choice based on content of dietary fiber, added sugar (or, total sugars), and protein, per number of grams of each. The ideal relationship is to consume sufficient fiber and protein, while avoiding excess added sugar. It puts those three values into a graph, and the graph’s shape reveals the nutritional value of the food item. Graphs shaped like smiles are best. Grins are second best. Protein and fiber frowns can contribute to a balanced diet, while flat faces and frowns are low in nutritional value.
In addition to being free, the app has zero distracting ads. It also does not require users to create an account or provide any personal information. It combines a simple mathematical function and knowledge of dietary data. It is designed to engage young children and K-12 students via “fun math” and “food facts.” Moreover, it is intended for all ages, from young adults to seniors, who may want to use their mobile devices to help them make healthful food choices. Everyone needs to smile!