Technically Healthy

Swati Jain uses an application called “Period Calendar” to keep track of her menstrual cycle. “The app tells me when I’m due and also alerts me when I’m late,” she says. The app also feeds data about various medical conditions such as headaches,and backaches that often accompany the menstrual cycle. As a result,one has all the details before visiting a gynaecologist.

Neha Aggarwal,23,who believes in eating healthy for a ramp-worthy figure,says that the calorie counter app on her android tab is a big help. “There are many calorie counters available for android phones,all of them usually have the same features. First,one must set a calorie goal as a sum

total of all the meals — mine is 2,000 calories for a day. Then you must feed whatever you are eating and the app calculates the calorie intake. Breakfast should be around 500-600 calories,the same as lunch,while dinner can be about 1,000 calories. You can divide the calories as you wish with meals or snacks throughout the day,” she says. Agarwal cautions that the app is helpful only after the user has got a proper diet chart from the nutritionist. The app also gives a break-up of the kinds of nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins,and the number of calories that need to be burned through exercise.

For Sunny Singh,the “Water Your Body” app is the perfect solution to his mother’s concern about his water intake. Busy with work,he forgets to drink water at regular intervals,so the app sets reminders in his phone to do the same. The app also creates graphs and records data of the quantity of water one drinks throughout the day. “I can change the glass sizes and keep an accurate record of the amount of water I drink. The reminders encourage me throughout the day. As a result of drinking a proper amount of water,my pimples and acidity problem have reduced,” says 28-year-old Singh.

He adds that,while some apps are chargeable,free apps ranging from calorie counters to intense workouts are also available.

Even medics are impressed. Dr Ramesh Ranka says that the app “Epocrates” gives a list of drugs and their side effects almost like an encylopedia. “The introduction of these medical apps for doctors and patients is a wonderful idea because it gives instant and convenient access to important information,” says Ranka.