Trust
Weight and diet pages can affect health. Here is who writes ours, which sources we use, and how we test calculators and app reviews.
Written by Robert Winter · Published August 23, 2026 · Last reviewed August 23, 2026
Robert Winter, Managing Director of Pureo, writes the calculator explainers and product reviews. He is not a registered dietitian or physician, and we do not invent clinical credentials. Health facts are cited to WHO, CDC, NHS, FAO/WHO energy reports, and peer-reviewed papers.
We add a last-reviewed date only when we actually re-read the page, check the formulas or product claims, and update the sources if needed. A date is not a medical sign-off. If a qualified nutrition professional later reviews a page, we will name that person and the review date instead of implying one.
Adult BMI uses weight (kg) ÷ height (m)² and WHO/CDC/NHS adult bands (underweight below 18.5, healthy 18.5–24.9, overweight 25.0–29.9, obese 30.0+). The “typical” ideal weight is a midpoint we chose inside that band (BMI 21 for women, 23 for men), not an official WHO target. Daily calories use the Mifflin–St Jeor resting equation (1990), then standard activity multipliers. Lose/gain targets are starting estimates (~500 kcal below and ~400 kcal above maintenance) with floors of 1,200 kcal (women) and 1,500 kcal (men). We re-check the code against those sources when we change a calculator. Results are screening estimates, not a diagnosis.
App reviews combine hands-on use of the product (logging flows, features, and limits) with published research. For photo calories we cite systematic reviews of image-based dietary assessment, which show error that is often smaller for simple foods and much larger for mixed dishes and hidden oils. We do not run a private weigh-and-photograph lab study of each competitor, and we do not treat vendor marketing as evidence. Feature tables reflect what the apps offered when we last used them.
Pureo’s photo and text estimates are model-based guesses. Internally we iterate prompts against fixture meals and let people correct results in the app. That is product quality work, not a clinical validation trial. A photo cannot reliably see oil, dressing, or density, so we treat every scan as an estimate and say so.
For population health facts we prefer WHO, CDC, NHS, and FAO/WHO reports, plus peer-reviewed papers (for example Mifflin–St Jeor 1990, image-diet reviews, and controlled ultra-processed-food feeding studies). We do not claim that Pureo treats disease, that a BMI or calorie number is “your” healthy weight, or that photo tracking is as accurate as a weighed food record. Personal medical decisions belong with a qualified clinician.
Author profile: Robert Winter
Not medical advice. This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or personal medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician before changing how you eat, especially if you are pregnant, have an eating disorder, or have a medical condition that affects weight.
Pureo is a simple calorie tracker that helps you reduce sugar and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Track calories and make smarter food choices for sustainable weight loss and better health.
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