Frequently Asked Questions
Drafted with AI
Everything you need to know about leaving calorie counting behind and seeing what your food is likely to do to blood sugar and insulin.
How It Works
What is RealFoods?
RealFoods: Beyond Calories is an iPhone app from Lauer j.d.o.o. that scores any meal 1 to 10 for its likely blood sugar and insulin impact (the Weight Impact Score) from a photo, text or barcode. It is for people who want a way to eat for weight loss that doesn't rely on counting calories. RealFoods is free to download. Barcode scans, product search and manual meals include the full score. Premium (AI photo and text meal scoring) has a 7-day free trial, then $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
Is this just another calorie counter?
No. Calorie counters tell you how much you ate. RealFoods estimates what a meal is likely to do to blood sugar and insulin, which a calorie number can't tell you. That's a completely different question.
What is the Weight Impact Score?
Weight Impact is RealFoods' 1 to 10 score for how strongly a meal is likely to raise blood sugar and call in insulin, where lower is better: 1 to 2 is Burning Fat, 3 to 4 Mostly Neutral, 5 to 6 Fat-Burning Paused and 7 to 10 Keeping Fat. It is a modelled estimate from the meal's foods, not a medical measurement. Lower scores point to a smaller estimated insulin response, and higher scores to a bigger one.
How does RealFoods estimate whether I'm burning fat?
It doesn't measure fat burning; it models it from what and when you eat. Meals that send blood sugar up call in more insulin, and high insulin slows the release of stored fat (Jensen et al., Diabetes 1989), so RealFoods maps your day across four modelled zones: Burning Fat, Mostly Neutral, Fat-Burning Paused and Keeping Fat. No device or CGM needed, and the zone is an estimate, not a measurement.
Does RealFoods track intermittent fasting?
Yes. You can tap to manually start your fasting timer, or let the AI automatically detect when you stop eating. The Coach will gently guide you through the typical stages, from digesting toward relying more on stored fat, shown as estimates rather than exact times.
Does this mean I can eat whatever I want?
Not quite. You can eat without counting, and no food is off limits, but the score still shows which meals are likely to call in a lot of insulin. Knowing which ones is the whole point.
Comparisons
How is this different from MyFitnessPal or Noom?
MyFitnessPal is built around counting calories and macros against a daily number. RealFoods scores each meal for its estimated blood sugar and insulin impact instead, and its AI Metabolic Coach shows which meals are likely to call in more insulin, all without guilt or streaks.
How is this different from Lifesum?
Lifesum relies on calorie tracking and macro tracking. RealFoods drops the calorie numbers and estimates how a meal is likely to affect your blood sugar and insulin instead.
Is this like CalAI?
CalAI is an automated calorie tracker. RealFoods uses similar AI photo-scanning technology, but instead of giving you a calorie count, we give you a Weight Impact (WI) score, a modelled estimate of the meal's likely blood sugar and insulin impact.
Practical Eating & Lifestyle
Can I use this if I already eat healthy?
Yes. Some foods that look healthy are likely to send blood sugar up faster than you'd expect and call in a lot of insulin, and the score shows which. You may be surprised at what scores a 7 or higher.
What if I eat out a lot?
That's exactly what the photo scanner is for. Snap a picture of your restaurant meal, and our AI will estimate its Weight Impact score in seconds.
Does alcohol count?
Yes. Our AI recognizes most common drinks and will estimate their likely blood sugar and insulin impact.
What if I already know what I should eat?
Many people know what to eat but not why certain foods matter. RealFoods adds a daily journal and reflection, without the friction of a spreadsheet.
How does type 2 diabetes relate to blood sugar and insulin?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition of high blood sugar that is closely linked to insulin resistance, where cells respond less well to insulin. RealFoods scores each meal for its estimated blood sugar and insulin impact as general education, not as a diabetes treatment. If you take medication that affects blood sugar, talk to your doctor first.
How are PCOS and insulin resistance related?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely linked to insulin resistance, and many people with PCOS have higher insulin levels. RealFoods estimates every meal's likely blood sugar and insulin impact as general education. It is not a PCOS treatment, so work with your doctor on any medical care.
Ready to stop guessing what to eat?
Weight Loss Mechanics
Why can the same calories have different effects?
Because calories are real but they are only one number. Equal-calorie foods can produce very different insulin responses (Holt et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1997), so 100 calories of cookies is likely to call in more insulin than 100 calories of salmon. RealFoods estimates this difference.
Why does blood sugar matter for weight loss?
When a meal sends blood sugar up, your body calls in insulin, and high insulin slows the release of stored fat from fat cells (Jensen et al., Diabetes 1989). We argue that steadier blood sugar, with fewer large insulin peaks, makes it easier for the body to draw on stored fat.
What does a 1 score vs a 10 score actually mean for my body?
A 1 to 2 is Burning Fat: RealFoods estimates almost no rise in blood sugar and insulin, so you likely keep burning stored fat. A 7 to 10 is Keeping Fat: it estimates one of the largest rises in blood sugar and insulin, so fat-burning likely switches off for a few hours. In between, 3 to 4 is Mostly Neutral and 5 to 6 is Fat-Burning Paused.
Trust & Safety
Is RealFoods a medical device?
RealFoods is an educational tool, not a medical device. It draws on published research on blood sugar and insulin responses, but its scores are modelled estimates. If you take medication that affects blood sugar, or before you make major changes to how you eat, talk to your doctor first.
Is my data private?
Yes. We take privacy incredibly seriously. We do not sell your personal health data or photos. Read our full Privacy Policy for more details.
How much does RealFoods cost?
RealFoods is free to download. Barcode scans, product search and manual meals include the full score. Premium (AI photo and text meal scoring) has a 7-day free trial, then $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. The App Store shows the price in your local currency, and you can cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings.
