A Duolingo-style AI dieting app has been receiving controversy for wrongfully calculating calories in customers’ meals. The Bite Pal app has been under scrutiny for encouraging under-eating and restricting dieting requirements.
This artificial intelligence app allows its users to upload images of their meals and scan them to calculate the number of calories in the meal. The app, which promotes itself as “Duolingo but for weight loss”, says it is “designed for sustainable weight loss without guilt, shame or toxic diet culture”.
The app includes a small AI-generated pet, customisable for each user. The pet is affected by what users eat; the more users stick to the app and their diet, the healthier and happier the virtual pet becomes.
The app has received many negative reviews regarding the miscalculation of the calories in users’ meals.
@olivia.deramus I hate it here sometimes. Please be careful on the internet and at least learn how apps manipulate you so you can decide what’s really right for you. #greenscreen #forthegirls #womenshealth #onlinesafety #patriarchy #redflag #nutrition #mentalhealth #adviceforgirls #dietculture ♬ original sound – Olivia DeRamus 🌐💗
Many customers have reported that the calorie tracking app is far off from the actual calories in the meal, usually estimating that the meal contains more calories than it does. Users have reported this can result in eating less than what is required for their health.
Recently, some users have tested the app on snacks such as sweets to track calorie intake. Once the app detects these ‘unhealthy’ sweet treats, the AI pet becomes upset, which some users interpret as implying that only healthier foods should be consumed.
The app has been heavily advertised on social platforms such as TikTok, where it has been seen by younger audiences.
The app store allows users as young as four to download the app. The app store also offers other games that follow a format of taking care of a pet, but most are not influenced by the users’ real-life habits, especially not their diet.
This has led to concerns about introducing calorie tracking to younger users. Some users have expressed that the miscalculation of meals may influence people’s perception of healthy eating.
There are also concerns about the use of AI as a calorie counting tool. Some users feel that it can be unreliable or lead to unintended outcomes if the calculations are incorrect. The app has received mixed reactions regarding the role of AI in everyday life, with some saying it presents AI as unreliable.
It is recommended that users conduct research before engaging with weight loss or diet apps. Reading reviews from past users may help determine whether the app is suitable for a particular goal. It is also suggested that users ensure they are consuming the recommended dietary intake for their age and gender.
While technology can support healthy habits, it’s important not to let diet culture overshadow well-being. Diet culture can lead to harmful habits when not approached carefully. It is important to remember when starting your own weight loss journey to care for your own body and mind. Body positivity means respecting all bodies, not just shrinking them.
Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan