Generative AI models have demonstrated to app developers that combining a robust knowledge base with the right model can enable them to offer users services — once reliant on costly professionals like therapists or executive assistants — at a fraction of the price. Former VP of product at fitness company Whoop, Rami Alhamad, has a similar take on nutrition with his new app Alma.
The iOS app, launching for users in North America today, is a well-designed app with a calorie tracker and a nutrition guide with an AI layer on top of it.
Image Credits: Alma
Alhamad thinks that fitness apps like MyFitnessPal make nutrition tracking tedious, with users having to manually search for dishes and input them for different types of meals. Instead, he thinks you should just talk to (or type to) Alma’s AI assistant about what you ate, and the app will figure out the portions and calorie intake through estimates. You can adjust these measures after the app shows you calorie count as well.
Alternatively, you can take a photo of your meal, and the AI algorithm will identify dishes for you. Such features are already available in apps like Kholsa-backed Healthify and YC-backed Snapcalorie. However, Alma is banking on its design, variety of input methods, and ease of use as key drivers for growth.
Image Credits: Alma
Besides calorie tracking, you can ask the AI assistant to suggest meals to meet your goals of fiber and protein intake. Plus, you can upload a menu picture and ask the AI assistant to recommend suitable items according to your goal.
The app also gives you a score, which is based on what you ate on a particular day in terms of calories and macros. The app uses that score to give you tips on improving your diet.
