(RxWiki News) Most weight loss programs limit caloric intake, but accurately keeping track of the number of calories in each meal can be difficult though. There may be another way to help lose weight.
Researchers and engineers have come together to develop new technology that could change the way weight loss programs work. They’ve come out with the Bite Counter.
"Keep track of how much you eat with the new Bite Counters."
Eric Muth, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Clemson University, and Adam Hoover, Ph.D., an electrical and computer engineer professor at Clemson University, have created a tool that can be used to count the number of bites taken during a meal – hence the name, Bite Counter.
People usually underestimate the amount of food eaten, so with the help of the bite counter people might be more aware of how much food is actually being eaten, Muth says.
The Bite Counter takes away the user bias because it is automated. It’s also easy to use and convenient. All you have to do is push the on button when you start eating and off when you’re done. This device is worn like a watch so it can be taken anywhere.
The device isn’t made to count calories or know the exact nutrients being consumed; it’s more of a monitoring device.
The researchers did find the device to be 90 percent accurate even with different users, food, utensils or containers, says Hoover.
The Bite Counter can essentially help people track and collect data more easily to develop new weight-loss studies. There are prototypes available for research and institution use and manufacturing for consumer use is underway.
