Research Backing LyteFast

Peer-reviewed references supporting weight forecasting, energy balance, carbon footprint of diets, gluten detection, nutrition databases, and AI food analysis.

Links open in your language when available • Prioritizing Harvard, Stanford, and MIT research

Weight Forecast

Weight forecasting uses predictive models based on energy balance principles to project future weight trends from recent data. Research shows that self-monitoring of weight and calorie intake, combined with trend smoothing to reduce day-to-day noise, helps people understand their trajectory and make timely adjustments. Short-horizon predictive modeling turns your recent trajectory into actionable forecasts that support adherence and long-term habits.

Key Studies

Budget-Based Calories

Pre-set calorie budgets with clear "within budget" or "over budget" feedback help users make informed food choices in real-time. Research demonstrates that this decision-support approach improves adherence to calorie goals by reducing cognitive load and providing immediate, actionable feedback. The simple "spend vs. budget" framework aligns with behavioral economics principles that show people make better decisions when they have clear constraints and instant feedback on their choices.

Key Studies

Calorie Deficit & Energy Balance

Energy balance—the relationship between calories consumed and calories burned—is the primary driver of weight change. Research consistently shows that creating a calorie deficit leads to weight loss, while a surplus leads to weight gain. Visualizing this deficit in real-time helps users understand how their daily choices impact their progress toward goals. The app translates energy balance into plain language, showing the gap between current intake and target, and what changes can close that gap.

Key Studies

AI Food Scanner

Artificial intelligence and machine learning enable automated food recognition from photos, text descriptions, and barcode scanning. Research shows that AI-powered nutrition estimation can provide reasonable accuracy for common foods, helping users log meals more quickly and consistently. The combination of photo analysis, barcode scanning, and text parsing creates multiple pathways for food logging, reducing barriers to self-monitoring and improving adherence to calorie tracking.

Key Studies

Carbon Footprint

Food production accounts for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Research shows that different foods have vastly different carbon footprints, and dietary choices can substantially impact environmental sustainability. Tracking the carbon footprint of meals helps users understand the environmental impact of their food choices and make more sustainable decisions. Studies demonstrate that even small dietary changes can meaningfully reduce carbon emissions.

Key Studies

Gluten Detection

For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, avoiding gluten is essential for health. Research shows that even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms and long-term damage in sensitive individuals. Barcode scanning and food analysis can help identify gluten-containing products, providing quick screening to support gluten-free dietary adherence. While the app provides indicators based on product information, it's important to note that it's an estimator and not a replacement for careful label reading or medical guidance.

Key Studies

Fasting View & Predictive Modeling

Intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating are dietary approaches that limit eating to specific time windows. Research shows that the benefits of these approaches are largely mediated by total calorie intake and consistency, rather than timing alone. Predictive modeling helps users see how their fasting patterns relate to their weight trends and forecasts. The app links fasting windows back to calorie budgets, trends, and forecasts, making the relationship between fasting and outcomes clear and actionable.

Key Studies

Full References

Complete list of all peer-reviewed references. Tags indicate which feature(s) each reference supports.