Apps for Foodies, Essay Example

This application puts an interesting twist on the consumer’s ability to determine whether the food they purchase health, despite the packaging. Many individuals choose their food options based on the claims that the marketing team for a particular product placed on the item’s container, which often leads to a misunderstanding as to whether the item is a processed or genetically modified food item. The app aims to provide an assessment of the safety of the food item based on potentially harmful ingredients and high sugar content. Based on these factors, it rates a food product from A+ to F, with A+ being a very healthy food and an F being completely unhealthy.

While this is an excellent way to indicate the general health of a food item, it is important to consider that the nutritional value of food products is dependent on a greater extent of factors than those considered by the makers of this application. It is important for consumers to have a greater understanding of the nutritional content of the item as well, which includes vitamins, fibers, and proteins. Furthermore, it does not include a good understanding of the energy content that the item provides, which would include information concerning the fats, carbohydrates, and calories. Ultimately, the app is good for those who wish to avoid harmful chemicals in their foods, but not as good for those who wish to ensure that they are gaining a well-balanced diet (Rodale News).

Seamless

Seamless is a food application that helps users identify the restaurant locations near them that are willing to deliver food. There is also a pickup option. It lists menu items from each locations in addition to the price, and provides customers with an estimated delivery time following the moment the order is placed. Many people use this app because it makes ordering food easier, and many people prefer to avoid talking to the staff at restaurants to place their order. Furthermore, the company occasionally offers discounts for the delivery, which makes the service even more favorable.

While the app is effective a majority of the time, it relies on communication between Seamless, the restaurant, and the customer. The involvement of a third party occasionally slows down the ability for errors to be communicated. For example, the restaurant will occasionally not receive the order due to a technical error, and it takes the company time to confirm that the order cannot be placed and to provide a refund to the customer. Furthermore, since the application relies on internet access, there can be difficulty placing the order to begin with due to technical errors on the behalf of either Seamless or the customer.

An additional problem that occurs is that Seamless will occasionally substitute items without notifying the customer. This is potentially problematic for customers with dietary restrictions or those who would have preferred the order to be cancelled altogether without the desired item. Ultimately, the app is useful if the customer is ordering from a restaurant that they know and trust, but this is less true for new restaurants, as the order may not always be correct (McCue).

How to Cook Everything

“How to Cook Everything” is an app based on a bestseller book of the same title. It operates as a reference for recipes to help customers determine how to cook items of their choice. The app is useful for individuals with a variety of diets, as there is a special vegetarian edition included as well. It is also useful for individuals who are not certain what they want to eat because it provides recommendations by the creator of the app, in addition to those that are most commonly selected. There is even an option available for individuals that do not have a lot of time to prepare food, called “quick dinners”.

While this app is useful, it is more expensive than most apps of its kind. However, this is worthwhile for individuals that believe they will use it frequently and that it will contribute to their ability to prepare meals. It is ideal for individuals who believe they are not good at cooking because it products easy to follow instructions. This is also good incentive for individuals who order too much take out and wish to make the transition towards more home cooked meals.

Ultimately, purchasing this app is recommended because it explains more about cooking than the average cookbook or app would. This includes knowledge of kitchen basics, which involves how to properly use a chef’s knife and how to properly crush and peel garlic. Even the individuals that make many mistakes during cooking shouldn’t have a difficult time if they use this app as a guide during their meal preparation (Apps for Foodies). This app is highly recommended to all audiences.

Works Cited

Apps for Foodies. N.D. Web. 7 December 2014.

McCue TJ. “8 Food Apps To Chew On”. 4 January 2013. Web. 7 December 2014.

Rodale News. “The 10 Best Food Apps”. N.D. Web. 7 December 2014.