If you have a smartphone addiction, you may as well put that thing to good use from time to time. Instead of playing mindless games and scrolling through social media posts every day, there are more productive ways to spend your screen time.
One way is to download a couple apps that remind you to stick to healthy goals, good nutrition, and a natural lifestyle. Sure, apps can be distracting. But they can also keep you motivated and educated about the things that matter most to you.
Here are five smartphone apps to keep you on track with your commitment to a natural life.
True Food
One of the best apps to have with you when you go grocery shopping is True Food. This app helps users identify GMO foods and choose safer options. It gets data from the Center for Food Safety to help consumers avoid genetically modified packaged foods for the sake of their health and the environment. The developers compiled all of this information by communicating with food producers and reviewing company policy statements. You can learn more about the risks of GMOs and information about where to buy organic foods nearby as well.
Farmstand
Finding locally grown food and supporting local farmers gets a lot easier when you download the Farmstand app. It will tell you where the closest farmers’ markets are, as well as information about what’s sold there and when they’re open for business. Add nearby markets to your profile to keep up with new information, or post photos when you shop to promote your favorite ones.
GoodGuide
When you’re out shopping, it can be difficult to know what products are sustainable and which aren’t. The GoodGuide app allows you to search for products and businesses in a database to understand their health, social, and environmental impact. This goes beyond just grocery shopping. There’s also a barcode scanning feature that makes it easy to determine what the ingredients are and what energy efficiency estimates may be. Over 75,000 personal care, food, household, and kids’ products have been rated, and you can write reviews about products you’ve tried as well.
iRecycle
Do you like the idea of recycling, but find it too much of a hassle to learn about what can actually be recycled and to find recycling centers nearby? The Earth911 app, iRecycle, helps you find local recycling locations quickly and also lets you know what materials are recyclable at those locations. The app provides access to more than 1,600,000 ways to recycle over 350 materials in the U.S.
Oroeco
The issue of climate change can seem vague and broad as a concept, but this app aims to help you see how your daily lifestyle choices impact the environment. You can track your carbon footprint by entering information about how often you drive, where you shop, and how you heat and cool your home. There’s also a community aspect to this app that encourages users to share their actions and stats with friends to compare results and compete for a lower carbon footprint.
Is there another app that you use to live a healthier and more natural life? Share your recommendation with us in the comment section below!