# Handheld Health Smartphone users turn to apps for instantaneous nutrition needs. By [Jordy E](https://www.trendhunter.com/JordyEleni) | Published Jun 16, 2015 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/handheld-health ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.1/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Handheld Health trend? **Handheld Health:** Smartphone apps geared towards food are placing evident emphasis on nutritional wants and needs. This tech-meets-dining movement is in tune with Millennials who are preoccupied with wellness and who are constantly plugged in, providing them with access to in-demand digital content while on the go, while also lending to a less reactive approach to fitness that Millennials prefer over older generations. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 25, 2014 to Jun 24, 2015 - Published: Jun 16, 2015 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Handheld Health trend ### Personalized Nutrition Apps Apps that offer personalized meal plans based on the user's health goals and fitness data are gaining popularity among Millennials who are preoccupied with wellness. ### Healthy Eating Apps Health conscious individuals are looking for apps that help them make better food choices, with features like suggested alternative grocery items, recipe ideas, and meal planning tools. ### Image Recognition Calorie Estimation Apps Apps that use image recognition technology to determine the calorie count of a meal by a single photo is an innovation that could soon be available to consumers, helping them keep better track of their diet and food diary. ## What the Handheld Health trend means for industry ### For Health and Wellness Industry Health and wellness industries can capitalize on these trends by developing personalized nutrition and healthy eating apps that cater to the individual's needs and goals. ### For Fitness and Exercise Industry Incorporating healthy nutrition and meal planning tools into fitness and exercise apps can help users achieve their fitness goals more efficiently and holistically. ### For Technology Industry The development of image recognition and other AI technologies that assist users in making healthier food choices presents a huge opportunity for the technology industry to disrupt the health and nutrition market. ## Workshop question Describe a new app or app feature that could be connected to your product or service to educate your consumer. ## Trend signals for Handheld Health Trend score 3.1 out of 10, from popularity 48%, activity 36%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 48% - Activity: 36% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Handheld Health trend 5 featured examples from Jul 25, 2014 to Jun 24, 2015. - [Personal Nutritionist Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nutrition-app): The Nutrino Nutrition App Helps You Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for health and wellness companies to leverage technology and offer virtual nutritionist services or partnership with existing apps. - [Healthy Recipe Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eat-meal-planning): The EAT Meal Planning Program Helps Users Make Nutritious Meals (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: With consumers increasingly interested in healthy eating and living options, this rise of healthy recipe apps will provide immense opportunities for businesses operating in the he… - [Vegetarian Meal-Making Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forks-over-knives): 'Forks Over Knives' is a Step-by-Step Recipe App for Vegetrains (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The mobile app industry can capitalize on the trend of step-by-step recipe apps by developing user-friendly and visually appealing cooking applications. - [Calorie Estimation Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calorie-estimation): Google's 'Im2calories' App Will Gauge How Healthy a Meal is from a Photo (Category: Tech) Implication: The health and wellness industry can integrate calorie estimation technology into their existing apps or develop new ones to help users accurately monitor their calorie intake. - [Pre-Diabetes Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prediabetes-app): Nudge Helps High Risk People Change Their Eating Habits (Category: Tech) Implication: The mobile health industry is ripe for investment opportunities in pre-diabetes apps and other health tech solutions. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - 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