Alma’s latest nutrition app tackles common pitfalls with hyper-personalized insights

Alma has launched its smart nutrition companion app, addressing a recent survey finding that over 95% of nutrition app users abandon them due to poor usability, low engagement, or inaccurate results.

Backed by Menlo Ventures and data from the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, the AI app offers “hyper-personalized” nutrition insights while functioning as a “pocket companion.” It also includes the expertise of Dr. Eric Rimm, a leading nutrition expert and member of Alma’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Alma’s key features include smart meal tracking through voice, text, images, or barcode scanning, with an “intuitive understanding” of natural descriptions. It offers proactive, personalized insights based on eating patterns and practical tips to help users reach their goals.

A feature on the app allows users to “Ask Alma” for AI-based guidance and suggests restaurants, recipes, and food products, adapting to local options for healthier and more convenient choices.

“Nutrition tracking should empower people to improve their health and feel their best — it shouldn’t feel overwhelming,” says Rami Alhamad, founder of Alma. “We created Alma to simplify nutrition tracking while celebrating each person’s unique journey.”

Survey findings

Alma surveyed 1,165 American adults to understand their behaviors and preferences around calorie-tracking apps and nutrition monitoring. The findings directly informed its development of central features for the “user-focused” app experience.

The company found that most nutrition app usage is cyclical, with the median user remaining active for six months or less. Only 21% of users said they stuck to using a nutrition-tracking app for more than a year.

Also, 173 users who reported disappointment in past nutrition tracking apps said they wanted simpler food tracking, better personalization tailored to their health goals, motivation features like goal-setting and support groups, and more culturally diverse recipe options.

Fourty-two percent of respondents were interested in additional features like recipe and product discovery, and nearly everyone surveyed wanted a more interactive experience beyond just tracking calories and meals.

“Alma provides accurate, meaningful insights while celebrating individuality,” comments Alhamad. “By acting as a personal nutrition companion in your pocket, one that truly understands and guides you, we aspire to spark a world where everyone can effortlessly enjoy better eating and better living.”