While The Difference Baker primarily focuses on being your one-stop shop for all allergy-free baked goods and meal recipes, we also recognize that there are many crucial dimensions to health and wellness.

No matter what time of the year it is, it’s a great idea to routinely check in on your personal health and wellness. What are your goals and where do you want to be health-wise in a month, a year, or 10 years?

Thankfully, there are a number of helpful tools and apps out there that can help you live a healthier, happier life, no matter what your wellness goals may be! Here are some of the best health tracking tools and apps used by the staff here at The Difference Baker. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

5 Useful Health-tracking Devices and Apps

1. Lumen: Tracking Your Metabolism

The Lumen Metabolism Tracker is a game-changer in the world of personalized nutrition and fitness. I’ve been using this device for four years and love how it helps me better understand my body signals.

This handheld device provides real-time insights into your metabolism by analyzing your breath. Its compact design and user-friendly app make it easy to integrate into daily routines.

Lumen guides users in understanding their metabolic flexibility, indicating whether the body is burning carbs or fats for energy. The device offers personalized nutrition recommendations based on your metabolic state, empowering users to make informed dietary choices.

One of the key strengths of Lumen is its ability to adapt recommendations based on individual goals, whether it's weight loss, maintenance, or performance improvement. The app provides a clear breakdown of daily macronutrient targets and offers practical tips to achieve them.

2. Viome App: Managing Your Gut Health

This is a fairly new one for me, as I’ve only been using it for the last two years. However, it’s been incredibly useful in helping me regulate my gut health!

The Viome app is a powerful companion that transforms personalized health into an accessible and actionable experience. Centered around gut microbiome analysis, the app seamlessly integrates advanced technology with user-friendly features.

Viome decodes the complex world of the gut microbiome and presents the information in a digestible format, making it easy for individuals to understand the intricacies of their own microbial composition.

One of the standout features is the personalized dietary recommendations based on the gut microbiome analysis. The app also tracks changes over time, allowing users to monitor the impact of dietary adjustments on their gut health.

3. Oura Ring: Tracking Your Sleep Hygiene

The Oura Ring is a sleek and sophisticated health tracker. Its emphasis on sleep tracking (extremely important!) sets it apart, delivering detailed insights into sleep stages and quality. I personally use the third generation version of the device, and this app actually saved my life when I had a heart ablation. Seriously!

Beyond sleep, the Oura Ring offers activity tracking and recovery metrics, promoting a holistic approach to well-being. While it may lack the detailed workout metrics of dedicated fitness devices, its real-time feedback on physical readiness is a valuable asset.

The ring's minimalist design makes it a fashionable accessory, seamlessly blending health tracking into daily life. The user-friendly app presents data in an understandable format, so there isn’t much of a learning curve to use it.

4. JOOVV: Healing Through Light Therapy

JOOVV, which I’ve been using proudly for the last eight years, delivers a cutting-edge approach to health and wellness with its innovative light therapy devices. The sleek and user-friendly design makes integrating light therapy into daily routines accessible for everyone.

JOOVV's red light therapy is backed by extensive research, promoting benefits such as improved skin health, enhanced muscle recovery, and optimized cellular function. The modular design of their devices allows for targeted treatments, ensuring users can focus on specific areas for maximum effectiveness.

While JOOVV is an investment, its potential benefits make it a compelling choice for those seeking a non-invasive and scientifically-backed approach to health optimization.

5. Mindvalley App: Continuing Mental Growth

The Mindvalley app is a transformative platform that brings personal development and growth to the forefront of daily life. With a diverse range of courses and content, Mindvalley offers an immersive experience designed to elevate various aspects of one's life. I’ve been using this app for six years and am still discovering new courses and features!

The app's interface is user-friendly, providing easy access to a wealth of knowledge on topics such as mindfulness, wellness, productivity, and more. The courses, led by industry experts, deliver engaging and thought-provoking content that encourages self-discovery and positive change.

One of the strengths of the Mindvalley app is its emphasis on holistic development. Courses go beyond traditional self-help, incorporating elements of spirituality, creativity, and well-being. The app's commitment to providing a well-rounded approach to personal growth sets it apart in the crowded landscape of self-improvement platforms.

The Mindvalley app also fosters a sense of community through features like group discussions and challenges, allowing users to connect with like-minded individuals on their personal growth journeys.