Latest news with #Meals
Tom's Guide
07-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Oura's latest update brings AI-powered meal tracking to the table — and I'm worried this could go very wrong
Oura just announced new AI-powered features to 'fuel your body for energy, performance and long-term health.' The two latest upgrades center around metabolic health and meal tracking, but right now, they're only available for US users. Oura says it's a 'major milestone' toward becoming a 'fully integrated health solution.' To date, Oura has undoubtedly been an industry-defining market leader and arguably remains the best smart ring you can buy. However, with stiff competition from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Ring and Ultrahuman Ring Air, the smart ring market is becoming increasingly competitive. I'm concerned Oura might be doing too much with its latest branch out into metabolic health. You may like Could Oura become the jack of all trades, master of none? Here's what we know so far. (Image credit: Future) The two metabolic-focused AI-enabled tools are Meals and Glucose, and will roll out shortly to Oura Ring 3 and Oura Ring 4 users based in the US who use the app in English. Oura announced the Oura Labs feature in 2024, allowing members to test experimental features and provide feedback. If they're considered a hit with the audience, features can be rolled out into the app. Here's what made the cut. 1. Meals The latest Labs success is Meals, which, according to Oura, provides key insights into nutrition and meal timing using AI-powered feedback from Oura Advisor. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Simply snap a photo of your meal and Oura can help provide 'informed dietary decisions' about your food, including macronutrients — proteins, fats and carbs — and its quality, plus suggestions for long-term improvement. Yep, you read that correctly. Using images alone, Oura can tell you how nutritious your food is, right down to the fiber content. 2. Glucose tracking Paired with the Stelo Glucose Biosensor by Dexcom, a brand new in-app glucose monitoring feature means you can measure glucose levels day and night, with the app providing feedback directly while drawing from existing analysis like your sleep, stress and activity levels. Essentially, it's another way for Oura to provide a holistic view on the quality of your everyday health, alongside tools such as heart health, women's health and fitness, to assess long-term trends. If you want to know more about how to manage your metabolic health, now you can. What do we know? Your metabolic health can be impacted by the foods you eat, how your body processes them, lifestyle factors and genetics. That's why the rollout looks at data pulled from the existing features you use daily alongside your meals to inform the analysis. Shyamal Patel, PhD., and SVP of Science at Oura, describes their approach as 'unique.' Published through Oura's website, she explained: 'Meal-induced glucose spikes can vary significantly due to factors like sleep, stress, exercise and meal timing, which is why it's important to approach metabolic health holistically rather than focusing exclusively on diet.' The goal is to look for patterns and use experimentation to discover what works and what doesn't, hopefully helping to maintain improved balance over time based on your daily habits. Rather than avoiding specific foods, the aim is to encourage a healthy relationship that lasts, looking at what could be impacting your glucose from various angles, rather than focusing on the one spike you had, say, after eating chocolate on a Friday afternoon. Verdict I've been lucky enough to own both generations of the Oura Ring and have used the app for years. I'm worried Oura could be diluting their product by introducing too many new ingredients. For the average person, monitoring your glucose levels daily isn't really necessary. I wore a CGM monitor as a test for Tom's Guide, and I actually found it more stressful than informative, getting lost in the minefield that is your blood sugar. In fact, I could be found staring down every spike in my blood sugar with the scrutiny of VAR checking a dodgy penalty decision. (Image credit: Future owns: Sam Hopes) Your pancreas is designed to take care of blood sugar for you, releasing insulin (a hormone) to regulate blood glucose by moving it out of your bloodstream and into your cells. While a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a useful (and sometimes crucial) tool for people managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes), not everyone needs to monitor their own glucose. I fear Oura is starting to steer away from what they're best at — tracking your sleep and stress hygiene — in a bid to keep on top of the competition with their innovation. Am I worried it'll encourage people to over-worry about another aspect of their health? Possibly. Do I need yet another app scrutinizing what I eat? No. And although Oura reassures members that the feature aims to keep things balanced, I fear people who don't already have a healthy relationship with their food could struggle. But to keep evolving in an ever-growing smart ring market, perhaps it's Oura's time to dare to diversify. And given the features that were all-clear from Oura Labs, it looks like people want it. For me, the jury is out. More from Tom's Guide
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ŌURA rolls out glucose app linked with Dexcom's CGM Stelo
ŌURA has signalled an entry into the consumer diabetes space, offering a new glucose feature for its ring that uses insights from Dexcom's over-the-counter (OTC) continuous glucose monitor (CGM) Stelo. The integration between the Oura smart ring and Stelo is the culmination of a partnership between ŌURA and Dexcom in November 2024. The diabetes device giant invested $75m into Finland-based ŌURA to enable data flow between their respective products. The Glucose feature on the Oura app will show daily glucose readings set against periods of meals, sleep, stress, and activity. Data will be extracted from Stelo, the first biosensor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use without a prescription. Oura will also provide insights to users on how glucose interacts with meals, stress, and daily movement. This, the ring developer says, will help patients learn lifestyle habits that help them maintain or achieve optimal glucose levels. 'Personalised guidance and insights are essential for helping people understand how their lifestyle choices affect their body, while also encouraging them to make informed health decisions that can improve their overall quality of life,' said Jake Leach, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Dexcom. The glucose feature was launched alongside Meals, an AI-powered tool that provides nutrition information from photographs of food. When launched, Meals and Glucose will be available on iOS and Android for US-based Oura users, with plans to launch Meals internationally later this year. The partnership between ŌURA and Dexcom has signalled a new chapter in the consumer health and medical device sector convergence. ŌURA is fast becoming a household name in the wearable technology sector, thanks to its smart ring. The device measures sleep, stress, and cardiovascular data, among others. It spurred the company to nearly double its annual sales in 2024 to reach around $500m, with 2.5 million rings sold worldwide. Dexcom, meanwhile, is a significant player in the diabetes medical device market, occupying around 74% of the CGM market share in the US, according to analysis by GlobalData. Experts have previously said the partnership between the two companies has the potential to improve adherence and behaviour changes, both critical for long-term diabetes management. One of the key financial aspects of the partnership was that both Dexcom and ŌURA would co-market and cross-sell each other's products. That is indeed now a reality, with new and existing Oura members able to purchase Stelo directly from the smart ring developer for $99. The CGM can be bundled with or without a ring, representing a model example of consumer health and medtech product combination, though this is currently only available in the US.
Local Norway
25-04-2025
- Health
- Local Norway
Norway bans marketing of unhealthy food to children
Jan Christian Vestre, Norway's Minister of Health and Social Care, said that the directive put Norway at the forefront of countries acting to nudge their populations away from the consumption of unhealthy food. "With this regulation, Norway is a pioneer," he said in a press release . "We are taking responsibility and ensuring that fewer children are exposed to negative pressure that leads to an unhealthy diet, which in turn can be harmful to children's health." The change was issues as a directive, meaning it did not require a vote in parliament. Companies judged by Norway's Directorate of Health to have violated the ban will be asked to withdraw the marketing concerned and will risk a fine if they fail to comply. The ban on the most unhealthy foods, called Annex 1, will apply to advertising in cinemas showing films aimed at children under the age of 13, to competitions aimed at those under the age of 18, and to the distribution of taste and product samples to children. Other marketing will be assessed on whether the product is "primarily consumed by or may particularly appeal to children" and whether the marketing is designed to "particularly appeal to children" by, for example using children's language, bright colours, animations or cartoon characters. Marketing could also fall under the ban if it involves children or "persons who will appeal to children", or uses gifts, toys, coupons, discounts, collectibles, contests or games that "may particularly appeal to children". The marketing ban will apply to all chocolate and confectionery, energy bars and sweet spreads and desserts, to cakes, biscuits and other sweet and/or fatty pastries, to popcorn, cornflakes, salted nuts and salted nut mixtures, to salty crackers, pretzels and salt sticks, to ice cream, and to soft drinks, energy drinks, and juice drinks. It will also apply to juice or milk drinks if they include added sugars or sweeteners, and to breakfast cereals with more than 12.5g sugar per 100g. The ban will apply to fast food or prepared meals with more than 950 kJ (225 kcal) or 4g of saturated fats per 100g. A McDonald's Big Mac has 964.8 kJ (230.9 kcal) and 4.2g of saturated fat -- putting it above the calorie and saturated fat limits. Meanwhile, its Happy Meals are over the caloric threshold , with the total fat and calories depending on the meal. Advertisement The Norwegian Cancer Society welcomed the ban, with Secretary General Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross calling it "a simple measure that gives children and young people a better starting point for good health throughout life". LHL, the patients group for heart, vascular and lung diseases, also welcomed the ban, with Secretary General Magne Wang Fredriksen calling it a "big day for public health and for our children".
Mid East Info
22-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
The UAE's First Corporate Culinary Showdown - Middle East Business News and Information
The UAE's First Corporate Culinary Showdown: Meals On Me Turns Corporate Leaders into Culinary Stars This summer, Meals On Me will host a first-of-its-kind culinary competition where 1 out of many teams of corporate professionals will reach the top Airing on Meals On Me's YouTube channel, this culinary competition promises drama, suspense, and mouthwatering challenges, all building up to the grand finale, where legendary Chef Marco Pierre White will crown the winners Dubai, UAE: As the UAE's leading meal plan provider, Meals On Me has recently set its sights on hosting the nation's first ever corporate culinary competition. Offering a unique opportunity for professionals from top global corporations in the UAE to trade their suits for aprons, the showdown will welcome 20 teams of two to battle it out for the title. Enter now for your chance to take home the trophy and train under the legendary Marco Pierre White or watch all the nail-biting action unfold on Meals On Me's YouTube Channel. Founded in 2019, Meals on Me set out to make healthy eating effortless for busy professionals and families without sacrificing flavour. Focusing on sustainability and culinary innovation, it has become one of the UAE's most trusted meal plan providers, delivering over 2 million meals to 70+ nationalities. Recognised as the Best Diet-Friendly Brand by the BBC Good Food Awards, Meals on Me continues to raise the bar, having recently teamed up with Chef Marco Pierre White to create an exclusive range of gourmet dishes. Now, Meals On Me is taking its passion for food beyond meal plans with an exciting new competition, challenging top UAE professionals to swap high-stakes meetings for the fast-paced world of a fine dining kitchen. Teams can enter from March 1st via email info@ , after which 20 corporate teams of two will be selected. Each team will face an intense trade test in their corporate office, with only 10 advancing to the next stage. Turning up the heat, the remaining 10 teams will be tasked with preparing a Surprise meal to impress the judges before five more teams are eliminated. Adding to the competition, participants can expect plenty of exciting twists and turns, while those at home are invited to follow along on Meals On Me's YouTube channel. As the suspense builds, the top five teams will go head-to-head in a high-pressure Grand Cook-Off, crafting a full five-course meal in pursuit of the culinary crown. From this intense showdown, three finalist teams will rise to compete in the Grand Finale on May 1st and 2nd, judged by the legendary Chef Marco Pierre White. The winning team will claim the coveted trophy, while the second and third-place teams will also take home well-earned prizes. Think you and your colleagues have what it takes to swap suits for aprons and battle it out in the kitchen? Shake things up at work and enter your team from March 1st via email info@ or simply kick back, tune into Meals On Me's YouTube channel, and watch the delicious drama unfold.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Virginia Beach First Citizen Dot Wood, pioneering businesswoman and community leader, dies at 87
Dorothy 'Dot' Wood attended college at a time in American society when many women sought higher education with aspirations to find a husband and get their 'MRS degree.' While Wood did marry the love of her life, Jim, in 1959, she went on to break the glass ceiling and blazed a trail for women throughout Hampton Roads. A pioneering businesswoman and devoted community leader, Wood died on April 13 at the age of 87. The past First Citizen of Virginia Beach was integral to the establishment of the city's Meals on Wheels program and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Lisa Baehre, executive director of Sandler Center Foundation, described Wood as one of those people who would move metaphorical mountains to make sure things happened within the city. Wood had helped to raise the funds to build the Sandler Center. 'When she set her sights on something, she went after it,' Baehre said. Her son Chris, who remembers accompanying his mother on some meal deliveries, said she was 'an absolute champion of the underdog.' In 1974, she had co-founded Virginia Beach Meals on Wheels with Owen Pickett, the late former congressman. 'No one was beneath her. No one was above her,' Chris Wood said. 'She just looked at everybody the same and cared so much about helping and connecting people.' Wood and her husband established their family home in Virginia Beach in 1965, and she remained fervently in love with her adopted city. A native of Alexandria, Dot Wood had attended Madison College, now known as James Madison University, to study home economics. While family was tightly woven into the fabric of everything she did — she was a room mother, involved in PTA, a Cub Scout leader and later a doting great-grandmother — Wood went on to weave so much more into her life. In 1978, she founded JD&W, a Virginia Beach-based commercial construction company, back when it was uncommon for women to lead companies, let alone in the predominantly male-run industry. Wood's firstborn son, Jim, a former Virginia Beach City Council member and vice mayor, recalled his grandfather telling his mother to be careful about starting a company because she would take a job away from a man who needed it to support his family. 'When my mom first started in business, she went to the bank for loans and the banker would call my dad to make sure it was OK,' Jim Wood said. 'It gives you an idea of how different things were back then.' Nothing deterred Dot Wood. Ever. 'She was always a very strong-willed, stubborn person,' Jim Wood said, stressing it was in a good way. She was one of the first female members of the Virginia Beach Rotary Club and served as the service organization's first female president. More than 25 years ago, Wood helped start the Virginia chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women, and she continued to support, advocate for and act as a mentor for women in the industry. Lisa Murphy, a commercial real estate attorney with Willcox & Savage, spoke fondly of the mentor-turned-friend she spoke with every day. The two met through CREW more than 20 years ago. 'I think it would be hard to find a woman in commercial real estate in Hampton Roads that didn't know Dot Wood and been helped by her in some way,' Murphy said. 'She took everybody under her wing.' Real estate developer Helen Dragas, president and CEO of the Dragas Cos., met Wood in the late 1990s when she was chair of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission. 'Dot played fairy godmother to us all, embodying guidance, hope and an abundant spirit,' Dragas said. 'She rejoiced in any opportunity to help other women traverse the oft-lonely path she had single-handedly carved in a man's industry.' Throughout the years, Wood garnered award after award, including First Citizen of Virginia Beach in 1999 by the Jaycees. She nominated Dragas for the same award 10 years later. 'Her nomination was so humbling because she was such an inspirational civic servant-leader,' Dragas said. 'She delighted in elevating other women.' Dory Wilgus, president and CEO of US Flag and Signal Co., is thankful Wood helped her navigate her way through the construction of her manufacturing facility in Portsmouth years ago. Wood also helped her navigate city life, and Wilgus described Wood as her best friend of more than 40 years. 'If you ever had a problem, you always knew she had your back,' Wilgus said. Virginia Beach Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson called Wood a pioneer: When women back then only had the opportunities to become a teacher, nurse or secretary, she carved her own career path. 'We have a lot of acquaintances, but she was my true friend,' Wilson said. A mother to two sons, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Wood was predeceased by her husband of 63 years. A celebration of life will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Market St., Virginia Beach. Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836,
