Photograph the plate

The fastest way to log a meal you cannot name is to take a picture of it. Here is what that actually gets you, and how wrong it can be.

1. 01 Photograph it One picture of the plate, any lighting
2. 02 It reads the plate Items identified, portions estimated
3. 03 You correct it Swap, resize or delete before saving

How it works

Point the camera at the plate. The model identifies what is on it, estimates portion sizes and returns calories and macros as an editable meal — not a locked number.

Everything is adjustable before it saves: swap an item it misread, change a portion, delete a component. What lands in your diary is what you agreed to.

How accurate is a photo estimate?

Good on identification, weaker on portions. A model can tell chicken from salmon far more reliably than it can tell 140 g of rice from 190 g, because the second depends on depth and density it cannot see.

Expect it to be close on composition and roughly right on quantity — which is usually enough, because the alternative for most people is not logging the meal at all.

When to use something else

Weigh it if the meal is a large share of your day and you are in a tight deficit. Scan the barcode if it came from a packet — that is exact.

Use the photo for restaurant food, home cooking and anything you would otherwise skip.

Questions