Meal recognition and calorie estimates in Fitaily
Fitaily can turn a meal description or a photo into a diary draft. These are two different features with different requirements — both are explained below.
Meal recognition from text
TEXT DESCRIPTION
Type what you ate, for example "two sandwiches with egg and avocado". AI recognises the ingredients, proposes a portion and estimates calories and macros.
This analysis can run on-device on a compatible iPhone without sending the content to the cloud. When a food is unclear, the app says so instead of inventing values.
Meal analysis from a photo
PHOTO
Photo analysis estimates nutrition from an image of the meal. It currently uses cloud AI and, in the iOS app, requires Premium and an internet connection.
The result is an estimate: portion size and hidden ingredients affect accuracy. A photo is not a lab measurement.
We do not describe photo analysis as a local feature — text analysis is what runs on-device.
Product search and barcode scanning
AI recognition is only one input method. Product search and the barcode scanner are separate features that do not use AI to identify items.
How to improve the estimate?
ACCURACY
A few habits increase the accuracy of estimates:
- State the portion size
- List ingredients and extras
- Specify how it was prepared
- Verify and correct the result in the diary
Local text analysis vs cloud photo analysis
Method comparison| Aspect | Text (local) | Photo (cloud) |
|---|
| Runs where | On a compatible iPhone | In the cloud |
|---|
| Internet | No, when the model is available | Yes |
|---|
| Premium (iOS) | No | Yes |
|---|
| Device needed | Apple Intelligence | Any iPhone |
|---|
The full explanation of both modes is on the AI page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fitaily recognise meals from a photo?
Yes, through a cloud feature that requires Premium in the iOS app.
Does text analysis work without internet?
Yes, on a compatible iPhone with the model available. It is not emulated by the cloud.
How accurate are the estimates?
They are estimates based on a description or image and may differ from actual values.
Can I correct the result?
Yes, you can change ingredients, portion and values before saving.
Is the barcode scanner AI?
No. The scanner identifies a product from its barcode.
AI estimates may need verification.