📸 10 Tips for Perfect Food Photos
Better photos = more accurate AI recognition = better tracking. Master these photography fundamentals:
1 Use Natural Light
Daylight near a window is ideal. Avoid overhead artificial lights that create harsh shadows. If you must use artificial light, make sure it's bright and evenly distributed.
2 45-Degree Angle
Shoot from a 30-45 degree angle, not directly overhead. This helps the AI see depth and understand portion sizes better than a flat, bird's-eye view.
3 Show the Whole Plate
Capture the entire dish in frame. Don't crop out parts of the meal—the AI needs to see everything to calculate accurate nutrition.
4 Plain Background
Clear the table of distractions. A plain table surface or single-color placemat helps the AI focus on the food, not the clutter.
5 Keep It in Focus
Blurry photos confuse the AI. Hold your phone steady, tap the screen to focus on the food, and wait for the camera to sharpen before taking the shot.
6 Get Close, But Not Too Close
Fill the frame with the food, but leave a small border. Too close and you cut off parts; too far and details are lost.
7 One Plate Per Photo
For best results, photograph one plate or dish at a time. Multiple plates can confuse portion estimations.
8 Before You Start Eating
Take the photo when the meal is complete and untouched. Partially eaten plates are harder for AI to analyze accurately.
9 Show Hidden Ingredients
If sauces, dressings, or toppings are hidden, use the refine feature to tell the AI. Better yet, show them in the photo if possible.
10 Use Barcode for Packaged Foods
For anything with a barcode, scan it instead of photographing! Barcode data is perfectly accurate—no estimation needed.
🔥 Building Tracking Habits
Consistency beats perfection. Here's how to make tracking a natural habit:
Don't wait until end of day—you'll forget details and portions. Make it a rule: eat → scan → move on. This takes 10 seconds and prevents "what did I have for lunch?" confusion.
Enable meal reminder notifications in Kaloria settings. Get gentle nudges at breakfast, lunch, and dinner times to log your meals.
Your day streak is visible in the Analytics screen. Seeing "12 days" turn into "13 days" is surprisingly motivating. Don't break the chain!
Eat the same breakfast every day? Use Recent Meals to re-add it in one tap. No need to scan the same food repeatedly.
🍽️ Eating Out & Social Events
Don't let restaurants or parties derail your tracking. Pro strategies:
Take Photos Confidently
Everyone takes food photos now—it's normal! No one will judge you. If you're self-conscious, say "this looks amazing!" as you snap the pic.
Restaurant Portions Are Usually Larger
Use the refine feature to tell Kaloria "restaurant portion" or "large serving" for more accurate estimates. Or adjust the serving size dial to 1.5x or 2x.
Ask About Ingredients
Not sure what's in the sauce? Ask your server or use the refine feature to tell Kalo "creamy sauce, probably butter-based" for better accuracy.
One Indulgent Meal Won't Ruin Progress
Track it anyway, even if you go over your calorie goal. Seeing the real numbers helps you plan the next day better. Consistency over weeks matters, not one meal.
⚖️ Understanding Portion Sizes
Visual guides for estimating portions:
Oils, butter, nut butters, dressings
Rice, pasta, cereal, vegetables, fruits
Meat, fish, chicken (cooked)
Nuts, chips, dried fruit, cheese
Kaloria's AI is trained on millions of photos and is usually within 10-15% of actual values. If something looks way off, use the serving size dial or refine feature to correct it.
🎯 Setting Realistic Goals
Sustainable success comes from realistic expectations:
âś“ Aim for 0.5-1 kg (1-2 lbs) Loss Per Week
Faster weight loss is usually unsustainable and can harm your metabolism. Slow and steady wins the race.
âś“ Don't Go Below 1200-1500 Calories
Your body needs fuel to function. Extreme restriction leads to burnout, binges, and muscle loss. Eat enough to sustain your lifestyle.
âś“ Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection
Hitting 90% of your goal every day beats hitting 100% three days and giving up. Progress over perfection, always.
âś“ Track Even On "Bad" Days
The days you go over your goal are the most important to log. Awareness prevents one indulgent meal from becoming a week-long derailment.
🔧 Common Challenges & Solutions
⚡ Quick Wins for Better Tracking
- Pre-log breakfast if you eat the same thing daily
- Keep Kaloria on your home screen for instant access
- Batch-scan ingredients when meal prepping
- Check your Analytics once a week, not obsessively daily
- Use Kalo AI when you need motivation or advice
- Celebrate non-scale victories (energy, mood, clothes fit)
Final Thoughts
Remember: Kaloria is a tool to support YOUR journey, not dictate it. The goal isn't perfect tracking—it's awareness and progress. Be kind to yourself, stay consistent, and celebrate small wins along the way. You've got this! 💪