People in recovery from an eating disorder often benefit from having a variety of tools and resources to help them develop healthier habits and relationships with food. A number of apps have been developed for just this purpose, but not all eating disorder apps are created equal. This article will review our top picks for the best eating disorder apps available in 2022.
People with eating disorders (EDs) have unhealthy habits around food which might include binge eating, restricting food or calories, or purging.1 Eating disorder recovery apps can be downloaded and used on any mobile device, and are designed to aid in the recovery process. Choosing the best apps for eating disorders can be hard, especially since each app will have unique features that may meet the needs of certain people in recovery, but not others.
*While apps are helpful resources for eating disorder recovery, they should not be viewed as a substitute for professional treatment.
1. Recovery Record Eating Disorder Management: Our Top Pick
Recovery Record (RR) is a highly rated eating disorder recovery app that launched in 2011, and boasts more than 1 million users and an average 5 star review on both Apple and Android. It is also one of only a few apps recommended by the National Association for Anorexia and Associated Disorders (ANAD).2 This is what makes this app our #1 pick for eating disorder recovery apps. Plus, the app is free and fully loaded with features, customizable content, and the ability to connect directly with treatment providers.
Cost of Recovery Record App
Recovery Record is free, and does not have any paid premium memberships for users. There is a separate paid app for clinicians who want to connect with clients using the app.
Pros & Cons of Recovery Record App
Recovery Record is the most popular and highest-rated eating disorder app on both Apple and Android app stores, with thousands of downloads and an average 5 star rating.
Here are some pros and cons of Recovery Record based on user reviews and our experience with the app:
| Pros of the RR app | Cons of the RR app |
|---|---|
| Recommended by ANAD | Some users find the meal log difficult |
| Completely free for users & no ads | Some ED clinicians require the app |
| Uses CBT, a proven treatment for ED | Too many questionnaires |
| Loaded with features & tools | Extra features affect ease of use |
| Helps users track progress over time | App ‘grades’ users progress |
| Fosters user-to-user support | Data shared with clinicians instantly |
| Real-time messaging with clinicians | Clinicians have to pay for app use |
| Progress tracking and monitoring | Designed for people in ED treatment |
| HIPAA compliant to protect privacy | Real-time sharing of data |
Features of Recovery Record App
Some of the features of the RR app include:
- Personalized goals and plans based on individual recovery needs
- Questionnaires to help track and log progress
- Scoring and reward points built in to motivate users in recovery
- Meal logging with the option to upload photos of meals
- The ability to link to treatment providers and allow access to data
- In-app messaging with clinicians and real time feedback
- Allows users to connect with their entire treatment team (if they have the app)
- The ability to set reminders for meals, logging, etc.
- A “pair up” feature that provides options to connect with other users
- A library of coping skills, meditations, and skills to aid recovery
- Customizable easy-access to the skills and features a user likes the most
- Places to log your thoughts, feelings, triggers, goals, and progress
- Motivational content and affirmations
Overall Verdict
Recover Record is one of the most popular, highly rated, and well known eating disorder recovery apps for a reason. Its many features, ability to interface directly with a treatment team or clinician, clean design, and ease of use make it a clear winner. Plus, it’s 100% free for users to download, with no locked features for paid users.
Where to Download
2. Rise Up + Recover
The Rise Up + Recover App is another very popular app for people in recovery from an eating disorder. This app has been on the Apple app store for 7 years, and has a 4.6 star rating (based on 240 reviews). Rise Up uses self-monitored features with a CBT approach that can help people with eating disorders track food, behaviors, and thoughts. The app is offered on both Apple and Android devices. Combined with a recommendation from ANAD, this is what earns Rise Use + Recover a runner-up spot.2
Cost of Rise Up + Recover App
The Rise Up + Recover app is free, and does not have any paid premium memberships.
Pros & Cons of Rise Up + Recover App
Rise Up + Recover is an app that people in recovery from an eating disorder can use to better track their food intake, as well as their thoughts and feelings.
Some of the pros and cons of the Rise Up app according to our testing and user reviews include:
| Pros of the Rise Up app | Cons of the Rise Up app |
|---|---|
| Free, with no paid memberships | Only provides weekly reports |
| Simple design makes it user friendly | Cannot track long-term progress |
| Easy food log can be exported as PDF | Uses app to promote paid courses |
| Many helpful resources in library | No video or audio content |
| Uses CBT, a proven treatment method | Cannot connect with other users |
| Can set meal and check-in reminders | Doesn’t allow direct clinician contact |
| Directory of treatment providers | Fewer features than other apps |
| Can export logs & reports to share | More for personal (vs clinical) use |
Features of Rise Up + Recover App
The Rise Up app has a simplistic and aesthetically pleasing design, and a platform that’s easy to navigate. The features are also easily accessible on the bottom menu and include logs to track meals and moods, coping skills tips, and even recommendations for recovery-friendly music, magazines, and podcasts.
Some of the main features of the Rise Up + Recover app include:
- Daily check-ins to track meals, moods, and thoughts
- A variety of free coping skills including journal prompts and meditation tips
- Information about body image issues and ways to cope
- Relationship tips for people in recovery to rebuild trust and closeness
- The ability to ‘favorite’ certain features for easy access
- Ability to export your food and feeling logs as a PDF
- The option to email your exported logs to yourself or to providers
- Daily check-in’s to ask about your moods and thoughts
- Option to set customized reminders for meals and check-ins
- Read and share inspirational and motivational quotes
Overall Verdict
Rise Up + Recover is perfect for people in recovery from an eating disorder who aren’t looking to use the app to directly interact and share real-time data with treatment providers. Instead, it’s more of a self-help app that helps people track their recovery, learn coping skills, and access motivational content.
Where to Download
3. Brighter Bite Eating Disorder Recovery
Brighter Bite (BB) is another highly-rated app that’s relatively new to the scene, with a recent launch in 2020. Because of this, there are fewer users and reviews available on the app. The app was started by an individual in recovery from bulimia nervosa, and is offered for free to both Apple and Android users. The app developers drew from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy when creating the library of resources, coping skills, and exercises built into the app.
Cost of Brighter Bite App
Recovery Record is free, and does not have any paid premium memberships.
Pros & Cons of Brighter Bite App
Brighter Bite is relatively new to the scene of apps for eating disorders, but so far, has been highly rated by users.
Some of the pros and cons of the BB app according to user reviews and our research and testing of the app include:
| Pros of the BB app | Cons of the BB app |
|---|---|
| Free, with no paid memberships | Limited user reviews to collect data |
| Developed by someone in recovery | A few reports of glitches & freezing |
| Simple and well-made design | Less of a ‘clinical’ focus |
| Customized goals & progress tracking | Fewer features than other apps |
| Has calming guided meditations | Cannot connect with other users |
| Video animations on coping skills | Requires users to register |
Features of Brighter Bite App
Brighter Bite has a minimalist design that’s easy to use and pleasant to interact with. When starting the app, it prompts you through a series of questionnaires to ask about your goals, mood, and stressors. The app allows users to skip these, but filling them out does provide customized content to users.
Some of the features of Brighter Bite include:
- Questionnaires to help track and log progress
- Scoring and reward points built in to motivate users in recovery
- Meal logging with the option to upload photos
- The ability to link to treatment providers and allow access to data
- In-app messaging with clinicians
- A “pair up” feature that provides options to connect with other users
- A library of coping skills, meditations, and skills to aid recovery
- Places to log your thoughts, feelings, triggers, goals, and progress
- Motivational content and affirmations
Overall Verdict
Brighter Bite is another helpful, user-friendly self-help recovery app for people recovering from eating disorders. The app is newer and has a smaller fan base, but provides many useful features for people in recovery from an eating disorder, including the ability to interact and share information with clinicians.
How to Download
Brighter Bite is available for both Apple and Android users
4. Nourishly Nutrition & Diet
Nourishly was developed by the same people who created Recovery Record, our top pick for eating disorder recovery apps, but isn’t just for people with eating disorders. This app helps people with different health or mental health issues (including eating disorders) develop healthier thoughts and habits with food. The app provides customized content to help people with different disorders (i.e. Crohns, Anorexia, or Diabetes). The app is offered on both Apple and Android users, with a 4.9 rating on the Apple store (based on 600+ reviews).
Cost of Nourishly
Nourishly is free to individual users, but does charge clinicians (dietitians, therapists, or doctors) to use the app with patients.
Pros & Cons of Nourishly
Nourishly isn’t an app that specializes just in eating disorder recovery, and instead aims for a wider market of people with a range of health concerns. It is specifically designed to interface with clinicians, including doctors, therapists, nutritionists, or other specialists.
From online information, user reviews, and our own testing of the app, here are some of the main pros and cons of Nourishly:
| Pros of the Nourishly app | Cons of the Nourishly app |
|---|---|
| Links to clinicians for easy sharing | Not specific to eating disorders |
| Same developer as the RR app | RR may be a better option for some |
| Uses CBT tracking of behavior/urges | Some glitches w/ food reminders |
| HIPPA compliant to protect privacy | More suitable for those in treatment |
| Personalized health content | May not work on older devices |
| Lots of coping skills & health tips | Pricey for clinicians to connect |
| Tracks user progress over time | Can be confusing to navigate |
Features of Nourishly App
The Nourishly app is designed for people with a wide array of health issues and goals, instead of being targeted to users with eating disorders. Depending on the user’s initial problems and goals, the app will provide different customized content and features.
Some of the main features of the Nourishly app include:
- Food tracking logs and meal planning resources
- Customized content and information based on different goals and health issues
- Ability to connect with clinicians to share information and logs
- Ability to select “missions” (goals) or set your own and track progress over time
- Pedometer and heart rate monitor built into the app
- Activity log that allows users to track exercise
- Rewards for progress made and missions accomplished
- Over 200 coping skills available to users
- Community forums to connect with other users
- Many guided meditations with audio
Overall Verdict
Nourishly is not specifically designed for people in recovery from eating disorders, but does have many features that could support recovery. In fact, the app was developed by the same people who developed our top pick, Recovery Record, so it definitely includes eating disorder-relevant content and features. The app allows users to customize their content and experience based on their health issues and goals.
How to Download
5. Eating Disorder Recovery
Eating Disorder Recovery is another recovery app that is highly rated, but it’s only available to Apple users. On the Apple app store, it had a 4.7 star rating based on over 300 reviews. The app is very clinically-focused, and allows users to connect and share information with their clinicians. It has a paid, premium version of the app, but automatically defaults to the premium version as a ‘free gift’ upon installation.
Cost of Eating Disorder Recovery
The Eating Disorder Recovery app claims to have a premium paid version, but there is not currently any information about the cost, and the app defaulted to premium as a ‘free gift’ upon installation.
Pros & Cons of Eating Disorder Recovery App
The Eating Disorder Recovery app has many of the basic functions of other eating disorder apps, offering users the ability to track and log food and feelings, export reports and share them with clinicians. It has a more clinical feel to it, with a lot of prompts to track specific eating disorder symptoms, and many disclaimers and prompts to seek professional help.
From online information, user reviews, and our own testing of the app, here are some of the main pros and cons of the Eating Disorder Recovery App:
| Pros of Eating D/O Recovery App | Cons of Eating D/O Recovery App |
|---|---|
| Free premium subscriptions | Unclear pricing for premium content |
| Clinical focus with symptom tracking | Slightly difficult to navigate |
| Lists out disordered eating behaviors | May be excessive symptom tracking |
| Customizes “treatments” to symptoms | Many disclaimers and warnings |
| Options to set meal/logging reminders | Not designed for occasional use |
| Detailed progress monitoring | Excessive options for inputting info |
| Can export 7, 30, or 90 day reports | Unavailable to Android users |
Features of Eating Disorder Recovery App
The Eating Disorder Recovery App has a lot of clinically-focused features that are aimed at monitoring and tracking symptoms and creating individual progress reports. Users can download and export these to share with their treatment provider, or just to track their own progress over time. It also has a variety of other features to aid in eating disorder recovery.
Some of the main features of the Eating Disorder Recovery app include:
- Detailed symptom logging and tracking
- Customized reports to export to track 7, 30, or 90-day progress
- Food diary and meal logging features
- Educational videos about eating disorder symptoms and treatments
- Informative coping skills videos
- Quizzes you can use to customize content
- A notes feature to use for journaling or additional logging
- A tool to help you connect with treatment providers
Overall Verdict
The Eating Disorder Recovery app is one of the lesser-used recovery apps for eating disorders. While it has some clinically sound functions and features, the app can only be used on Apple devices, which limits its potential reach. It is also difficult to find information on this app, but our testing yielded some solid features and resources that may be helpful to those in recovery from eating disorders.
Where to Download
The Eating Disorder Recovery app is only available in the Apple store
Eating Disorder Apps & Their Place in Treatment
Apps can be a helpful tool for someone recovering from an eating disorder, but should definitely not be seen as a substitute for professional treatment. Working with a licensed therapist who specializes or is credentialed in eating disorder treatment is highly recommended for people struggling with eating disorders.3
Certain types of therapy like CBT-E and certain family-based treatments have been proven to be highly effective for people with disorders like bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.3 Many people with eating disorders also benefit from having a multidisciplinary team which may include a therapist, nutritionist, medical doctor, and psychiatrist.3
Eating disorder recovery apps can play a helpful role in treatment, but have not been shown to be an effective stand-alone replacement for treatment.4 There have been studies that showed that when combined with in-person treatment, apps that used CBT helped to improve treatment compliance. This suggests these apps may help to hold people in recovery accountable for making healthy, lasting changes.5,6
Final Thoughts
There has been an explosion of mental health apps that have hit the market in recent years, but only a few are specifically tailored to people who struggle with disordered eating patterns. Our top pick was the highly popular Recovery Record app, an app that was designed to allow users to interact and share data with their treatment team. Rise Up + Recover was a close runner up, but for slightly different reasons. This app was chosen because it is an excellent self-help resource for people recovering from an eating disorder, with lots of interactive content, engaging media, and functional features.
For Further Reading
Recovery from an eating disorder can be a difficult process, and most people need a variety of tools, resources, and support in their journey towards health. Below are some excellent resources for people struggling with eating disorders.
