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Diet Apps Helping People Shed Pounds With Ease

(CBS) -- Before you take that next bite, take a picture, scan it and log it. If you have a smart phone, it's easier than ever to drop those pounds.

The "Fat Secret" app did the trick for Jessica Roubitchek.

"It's been easy, it's free, it's intuitive. I can pull it up on the computer, I can pull it up on my phone," Roubitchek explained.

That app, combined with "Google Fit," which keeps track of Jessica's steps, has helped her lose about five pounds.

For her and many others, the technology is holding her accountable, and she's less likely to cheat.

"When I'm not logging it, for some reason I feel more of a freedom to just put a little something extra in my mouth," Roubitchek said.

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"I encourage all of my patients to use some form of tracking app," said Holly Herrington, a registered dietitian.

Researchers there found that people who used an app that tracks calories and activities lost about 15 pounds.

One app that makes it incredibly easy to track and log your food is "Spark People." All you do is scan the bar code.

"Pact" requires you to put your money where your mouth is.

"So you're putting money into a pool with your friends or with strangers and every time you track whether it's your food or your activity you can lose money or you can gain money," Herrington said.

"Diet Assistant" is an app for people who have no idea where to start. Or if you're really into logging pictures versus calories, check out "My Food Diary."

For more information, visit CBS Chicago.

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