App-etite for Success: The Best Carb Counting Apps
Carb counting can feel like a never-ending maths problem, but luckily, technology has our backs! Whether your child is newly diagnosed or you’ve been juggling boluses and ratios for years, a good carb counting app can make mealtimes easier, reduce stress and help keep blood sugars in range.
With so many apps out there, which ones are actually useful? We’ve rounded up some of the best apps available right now- helping you turn mealtime chaos into carb-counting confidence.
1. Carbs & Cals- Best for Visual Learners
What It Does: Carbs & Cals is a game-changer for parents and children who prefer a visual approach to carb counting. Instead of just numbers, it features high-quality photos of food portions with their carb values- so you can estimate carbs quickly and accurately without a scale.
Why Parents Love It:
Massive UK food database with every day meals and supermarket brands
Multiple portion sizes shown in photos (because let’s be honest, no two slices of pizza are the same!)
Great for children learning to carb count independently
Available on: iOS & Android (free with in-app purchases)
2. MySugr- Best All-in-One Diabetes Management App
What It Does: My Sugr is like a pocket diabetes coach, helping with carb counting blood sugar logging and insulin tracking- all in one place. It’s great for busy parents who want an easy way to keep track of their child’s diabetes management.
Why Parents Love It:
Carb logging & meal tracking (great for spotting patterns!)
Syncs with some blood glucose meters (less manual entry)
Fun, engaging inteface- it even has a “diabetes monster” that you can “tame” by logging data (kids love this!)
Exportable reports for diabetes clinic visits
Available on: iOS & Android (free, with premium features available)
3. Nutracheck- Best for UK Supermarket Foods
What It Does: If your child eats a lot of pre-packaged foods, Nutracheck is a lifesaver. It has a huge UK food database, including supermarket items from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, etc. Plus, it has a barcode scanner for quick carb info!
Why Parents Love It:
Barcode scanner for instant carb counts on packaged foods
UK-focused database (no more guessing if a US-based app has the right numbers)
Custom meal builder for homemade dishes
Available on: iOS & Android (subscription-based, with a free trial)
4. MyFitnessPal- Best for Teens & Older Children
What It Does: Originally a fitness and diet tracking app, MyFitnessPal is also a solid carb counting tool for teens managing their own diabetes. It has over 11 million foods in its database, including restaurants, fast food and global brands.
Why Parents (and Teens!) Love It:
Massive food database (great for eating out)
Lets teens track their own carbs independently
Syncs with smartwatches & fitness apps (helpful for active children and teens)
Available on: iOS & Android (free with premium options)
5. SNAQ- Best for Quick Meal Logging
What It Does: SNAQ uses image recognition technology to estimate carb counts from a photo. Just snap a picture of the meal, and the app gives an estimate of the carb content- great for when you’re in a rush!
Why Parents Love It:
Fast & easy carb estimates from photos
Tracks past meals so you don’t have to enter foods repeatedly
Syncs with some CGMs (for even better blood sugar tracking)
Available on: iOS & Android (free with premium features)
6. Diabetes:M- Best for Data & Reports
What It Does: Diabetes:M is a powerful app for families who love tracking data. It’s not just a carb counter- it’s an all-in-one diabetes logbook, where you can track carbs, insulin, exercise and blood sugars all in one place.
Why Parents Love It:
Comprehensive logging (great for clinic visits!)
Carb database + barcode scanner for quick entries
Advanced reports & insights (for parents who like data!)
Available on: iOS & Android (free, with premium options)
7. Glooko- Best for Connecting Devices & Data Tracking
What It Does: Glooko is a diabetes data hub that syncs with insulin pumps, CGMs, blood glucose meters and fitness trackers- making it one of the best options for families who want a full picture of diabetes management.
Why Parents Love It:
Syncs with most diabetes devices (Dexcom, Libre, Medtronic, etc.)
Tracks carbs, insulin, exercise & blood sugars in one place
Generates reports to share with healthcare teams
Available on: iOS & Android (free, but requires a Glooko account- check with your diabetes team!)
So, Which Carb Counting App is Best for Your Family?
Every child (and every family) is different, so the best app depends on your needs and lifestyle.
Want a visual approach? -> Carbs & Cals
Need a barcode scanner for UK foods? -> Nutracheck
Want something fun & engaging for kids -> MySugr
Have a teen who wants independence? -> MyFitnessPal
Need a quick estimate from a photo? -> SNAQ
Love data & reports? -> Diabetes:M
Want an app that syncs with diabetes devices? -> Glooko
Final Thoughts:
Carb counting is a huge part of Type 1 diabetes management, but the right tools can make it so much easier. Whether your child is just starting out or your teen is taking the lead, these apps can help reduce stress, improve accuracy and even make diabetes management a little more fun.
Remember: No app is perfect, and sometimes you’ll still have to estimate. However, with practice (and the help of these awesome apps), carb counting will soon feel like second nature.