About How to Track Calories
An evidence-based educational resource for anyone who wants to track calories accurately, sustainably, and with confidence.
Dr. Amanda Foster, PhD, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist · Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Science
Dr. Amanda Foster earned her PhD in Nutritional Science from the University of Michigan, where her doctoral research focused on metabolic adaptation during calorie restriction and the behavioral determinants of dietary adherence. Her dissertation examined how tracking method accuracy — from manual estimation to AI-assisted logging — affected real-world weight management outcomes in a 12-month longitudinal study.
After completing her PhD, she became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and spent eight years in outpatient clinical nutrition, working with adults managing weight, metabolic conditions, and performance nutrition goals. She has reviewed thousands of food logs, seen every common tracking mistake, and developed evidence-based protocols for helping patients track more accurately and sustainably.
Dr. Foster has published research on digital dietary assessment, behavioral nutrition, and the clinical application of AI food recognition technology. She serves as a scientific advisor to digital health platforms and is a sought-after expert on the practical application of nutrition technology in clinical settings.
She has presented at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual conference, the American Society for Nutrition, and the European Congress on Obesity. Her work has been cited in peer-reviewed journals including the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Obesity Reviews, and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
She currently writes and teaches with a single mission: making evidence-based nutrition knowledge accessible to everyone — not just patients who can afford clinical dietitian appointments.
Our Mission
How to Track Calories exists to provide genuinely useful, evidence-based nutrition education — the kind that used to be available only in clinical settings, now accessible to anyone.
Calorie tracking is frequently misunderstood. People either believe it's simple (and get poor results from inaccurate methods) or believe it's too complicated and give up before building a habit. This site addresses both misunderstandings: providing the scientific foundation that makes tracking meaningful, and the practical tools that make it sustainable.
Every article on this site is:
- Written or reviewed by Dr. Foster based on peer-reviewed research
- Focused on practical, actionable guidance — not general advice that doesn't help in real situations
- Updated regularly as new research is published and technology evolves
- Transparent about uncertainty — we distinguish between well-established findings and emerging evidence
Editorial Standards
Evidence Standards
All health claims are supported by peer-reviewed research. We prioritize systematic reviews and meta-analyses over individual studies, and we distinguish between observational evidence and randomized controlled trials. When evidence is limited or mixed, we say so.
Affiliate Disclosure
This site recommends PlateLens as a primary tool for calorie tracking. We may receive compensation through affiliate relationships with PlateLens. This does not affect our editorial recommendations — PlateLens is recommended because the evidence supports it as the most accurate and adherence-supporting tracking tool available, not because of any commercial relationship.
No product is recommended on this site unless it meets genuine clinical standards. We do not accept paid placements, sponsored reviews, or compensation to modify editorial content.
Review Process
All articles are reviewed by Dr. Foster before publication. Articles are re-reviewed and updated when new significant research is published. The "Last reviewed" date on each article reflects the most recent substantive review.
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Individuals with a history of eating disorders should consult a healthcare provider before beginning any form of dietary tracking.
Start Learning
Begin with the complete calorie tracking guide — the most comprehensive evidence-based resource on the topic.
Read the Complete Guide