Independent iOS Developer, James Hollender updated his iSugars app, which helps users trying to restrict their sugar intake by determining sugar content in foods. This is one of the apps updated to version 7.0 in the suite of iNutrient apps: iCarbs, iCholesterol, iFiber, iKals, iPotassium, iProteins, iSatFat, iSodium, iSugars and Vitamin K. Version 6.0 made the app capable of using the entire screen even of newer iPhones with the notch.
Version 7.0 brings back the Search feature, but one that’s much more powerful. These apps include data from the USDA National Nutrient Database covering the following nutrients: Calories, Carbohydrates, Cholesterol, Fiber, Potassium, Proteins, Saturated Fat, Sodium, Sugars and Vitamin K. All ten apps are universal apps that can be used on the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices.
The newest feature in version 7.0 of iSugars is a search capability that allows for both simple and complex searches. There are two fields that can accommodate either words or phrases. Using only the first provides a simple search that looks for the supplied value in the title, description and USDA ID fields. If a second word or phrase is supplied, then the user has the choice of three operands for how the fields are evaluated: “AND”, “OR” and “But Not”. As the user enter or changes their values, an instantaneous display is given of how many records will be found. Pressing the “Results” button then displays the full list of matches found.
In the “Access My Records” section, each food serving for the day is listed in it’s own section and the total daily amount of the nutrient is included in the day’s heading. This makes comparing nutrient intake for each day an easy task.
“High intakes of dietary sugars in the setting of a worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease have heightened concerns about the adverse affects of excessive consumption of sugars. In 2001 to 2004, the usual intake of added sugars for Americans was 22.2 teaspoons a day (355 calories per day). Between 1970 and 2005, average annual availability of sugars/added sugars increased by 19%, which added 76 calories to Americans’ average daily energy intake. Soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages are the primary source of added sugars in Americans’ diets. Excessive consumption of sugars has been linked with several metabolic abnormalities and adverse health conditions, as well as shortfalls of essential nutrients. Although trial data are limited, evidence from observational studies indicates that a higher intake of soft drinks is associated with greater energy intake, higher body weight, and lower intake of essential nutrients. National survey data also indicate the excessive consumption of added sugars is contributing to overconsumption of discretionary calories by Americans. On the basis of the 2005 US Dietary Guidelines, intake of added sugars greatly exceeds discretionary calorie allowances, regardless of energy needs. In view of these considerations, the American Heart Association recommends reductions in the intake of added sugars. A prudent upper limit of intake is half of the discretionary calorie allowance, which for most American women is no more than 100 calories per day and for most American men is no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars.” (Source: Abstract from “Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health” – A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association)
The All Foods list allows you to search by any word or partial word from all the Food Titles. Selecting a food in any of the tables will display pertinent information about the selected food serving:
- Food Title
- Weight (in grams)
- Common Measure (serving size for weight)
- Sugars Content (in grams)
- Calories
- Percentage of Sugars by Weight (if at least 1%)
- USDA Description
- USDA Food Group
- USDA Nutrient Database Number
Information is derived from the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. There are currently over 1,100 different foods included, searchable using more than 2,500 names (some foods are known by different names or how they are prepared, e.g., “Egg, Scrambled” and “Scrambled Egg”).
The iSugars app is one of 10 apps in the iNutrients collection. Others include:
- iCarbs – Carbohydrates – great for bodybuilders or diabetics
- iCholesterol – Dietary Cholesterol – for those wanting to watch their cholesterol intake
- iFiber – Fiber – for those interested in getting enough fiber in their diet
- iKals – Calories – for anyone watching their calories
- iPotassium – Potassium – helps with anxiety, stress, blood pressure, brain function, cramps and many other ailments
- iProteins – Proteins – great for bodybuilders, vegetarians or vegans needing to make sure they get enough protein in their diet
- iSatFat – Saturated Fats – for those who have been advised by their physician to limit their intake of saturated fat
- iSodium – Sodium – for those who want to cut down on their salt intake
- Vitamin K – Vitamins K1, K1D and K2 – For users of blood thinning medications like Coumadin or Warfarin
iSugars is available in the iTunes App Store for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The current price is $2.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and can be found in the Health & Fitness category. As always, updates are provide free of charge. Promo codes are available for qualified reviewers. Please specify the website, blog or organization when making a request.
Users interested in multiple nutrients should be aware of the “Most Popular iNutrient Apps Bundle (5 apps) App”, which includes all ten of the above listed nutrients. It also includes the capability for altering the color scale for each nutrient if desired. And Custom Foods can be created for those not included in the USDA database. Even an entire meal’s nutrient information could be included in a single Custom Food definition to make entry even simpler. The iNutrients app is available for less than the cost of three individual iNutrient apps and is specially reduced during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
