Nutrition-tracking apps can help people build healthier eating habits, but experts say some of the gaming-style features designed to keep users engaged may also encourage unhealthy behaviors, especially among those at risk of eating disorders.

Many popular apps, including MyFitnessPal and Noom, use techniques commonly seen in mobile games, such as badges, streaks, rewards, points and reminders, to motivate users to log meals and track calories.

Researchers say these features can be useful for some people but may also create pressure and anxiety for others.

Isabella Anderberg, a psychologist at Flinders University in Australia who studies digital dieting behavior, said calorie tracking can reinforce unhealthy habits linked to body image concerns and disordered eating.

"Not everyone will experience harm from using these apps, but some people are more vulnerable," she said, urging users to approach them with caution.

Health experts say nutrition apps can play a positive role, particularly for people managing long-term conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. They can also help users plan meals, monitor nutrition and stay physically active.

Many users say the apps motivate them through progress tracking and reminders.

Angela Drury, an English professor from Georgia, said she has used several nutrition apps over the past decade to support her fitness goals. She currently uses Nourish, which includes access to a dietitian through her health insurance.

She said earning badges for consistently logging meals feels rewarding, but repeated reminders to record meals sometimes made her feel guilty.

"It felt like it was scolding me," she said.

Most nutrition apps ask users to enter personal details such as age, weight and height before suggesting daily calorie or nutrient targets. They then use game-like rewards and notifications to encourage users to stick to those goals. While many apps are free, additional features are often available through paid subscriptions.

Health experts caution that calorie recommendations vary depending on factors such as age, sex and physical activity. They also warn that food databases used by apps may contain inaccurate calorie counts or portion sizes.

Courtney Simpson, a behavioral psychologist and director of eating disorders at the Evidence-Based Treatment Centers of Seattle, said some apps recommend calorie targets that are unrealistically low for adults.

She said such goals can leave users feeling discouraged, while the reward systems encourage them to continue chasing unhealthy targets.

"The issue is not gamification itself," Simpson said. "The question is whether it is promoting healthy behaviors."

Neither MyFitnessPal nor Noom responded to requests for comment.

Researchers also advise users to pay attention to their body's signals rather than relying entirely on app recommendations.

Anderberg said people who already believe they must be thinner to be healthier are more likely to become overly focused on calorie counting, which can lead to frustration when daily targets are missed.

She encouraged people to trust their body's needs, whether that means resting, recovering from an injury or occasionally enjoying favorite foods.

Simpson added that focusing only on body weight is not a reliable measure of health. She said repeatedly losing and regaining weight has been linked to poorer long-term health outcomes.

She stressed that lasting improvements come from healthy habits that are practical and sustainable.

Drury agreed that nutrition apps can be problematic for people vulnerable to eating disorders but said setting realistic goals and listening to the body's needs are more important than chasing numbers.

She said she has learned that starving herself is not the path to achieving long-term fitness or good health.