Making healthy choices 

In the world where we almost constantly have access to the internet it is easy to feel overwhelmed and at times bombarded with information about how we should and shouldn’t be fuelling our bodies. Health professionals are telling us to eat more wholefoods and avoid UPFs (Ultra Processed Foods), but for those of us with a busy lifestyle it’s not always that easy. 

So, the bean team were really intrigued when we heard some of our customers talking about Yuka, a mobile app that promises to help consumers make healthier choices by providing in-depth information on food products and cosmetics.  

What is Yuka? 

Yuka is a free mobile app available for both iOS and Android that scans and analyses food products and cosmetic ingredients. The app uses a barcode scanning feature, allowing users to instantly check the health ratings of products simply by scanning them while shopping. With over 1 million food and cosmetic products in its database, Yuka provides ratings based on a detailed analysis of the ingredients and their effects on health. (source Yuka.io) 

What does Yuka assess to rate a food product? 

The Yuka app checks the nutritional value, the presence of additives, preservatives, and whether the ingredients are harmful or beneficial for your health. It also takes into account the product’s impact on the environment and whether it adheres to certain dietary standards (like being gluten-free or vegan). 

How do The Honest Bean Co Roasted Fava Bean snacks rate on the Yuka app? 

5 out of the 6 flavours of The Honest Bean Co Roasted Fava bean snacks are rated as “Excellent” scoring 90/100. The only exception is The Honest Bean Co Barbecue flavour roasted fava beans which are rated “Good” and have a score of 57.

Our verdict

If you find food labels or nutrition advice confusing, the free Yuka app could be a useful tool for helping you cut through the noise. We found the barcode scanner easy-to-use and the ratings and product breakdowns very easy to digest (ba-dum-tish!)