Alternative to Cronometer that works offline?

newbies
(Neil) #1

I’ve been using Cronometer to track my biometrics and food intake for a while now. I like it, but there’s one big feature it’s missing: access to its nutrient databases while offline. If I don’t have an Internet connection, I can’t look up the nutrient profile for any foods.

The Cronometer team has said on their support forum that they have no plans to add this feature because of something about their licensing agreements for the nutrition data.

Does anyone know of other similar apps that provide this feature?

#2

I have a dozen or so meant for Keto or low carb specifically and none of them produce search results when offline.

LoseIt isn’t necessarily for Keto but does show some results when not connected. A quick comparison looks like offline results omit brand name items. That’s just a guess though. Here you can see the difference.

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(Jane) #3

Why would you expect an online app to work when you aren’t connected to the Internet??? If that is a problem then go buy a REAL BOOK with carb counts like my 85-yo Dad did because he can’t figure apps out!

(Neil) #4

Thanks, @TimeForMe! I’ll check it out.

There are lots of apps that work without an Internet connection. There’s no reason in theory that an app couldn’t just download the nutrition database and store it on the phone.

#5

It’s not unusual. Netflix, Kindle, many maps applications, games, etc. all work offline so you aren’t using hours of data, for example, to stream a movie. Before there was as much access to WiFi and cellular networks as there is now, that’s how apps could function. I’m sure some people would lose their minds if Candy Crush always had to be “online” to play. Or if you’re using a maps app while traveling. You need to be able to use it without internet access. Apps aren’t all “online” so it’s a reasonable request IMO.

(Jane) #6

Agree on the other apps but I disagree that a searchable DATABASE should be accessible when not online.

I am a member of Ravelry - a huge online database for knitters and crocheters - and it is not available offline, nor would I expect it to be.

But perhaps another app is willing to allow you to download the whole data file - would be good to know.

(Jane) #7

Money. The database is intellectual property.

#8

Downloading an entire data file and making the data available to search are two very different things. LoseIt allows you to search their data but you aren’t downloading the tens of thousands of foods and related nutrition in a single file somewhere are you? And unless you’re a developer or are skilled in that area, it’s not an easy task to break into the code for the app and pull wholesale the thousands and thousands of entries. Plus, if you’re skilled enough to pull the whole database down by hacking the framework and code and all security measures, then you can do it while it’s online, too.

Have you ever used Diet Doctor? Their recipes are all searchable and the app is fully native to the mobile device (in this case iOS) without being connected to the internet. (It’s a fantastic app for Keto-ers!)

The database is intellectual property whether it’s connected to the internet or not.