CleanCart

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  Clean Cart

Inspiration

Built something we actually picture ourselves using! The inspiration for this tool came from the increasing awareness of the impact of processed foods on our health.

The offering of grocery stores is a strong driver of consumer decisions, shaping their diet and long-term health. While processed food has been increasingly associated with unhealthy diet, information on the degree of processing characterizing an item in a store is virtually impossible to obtain, limiting the ability of individuals to make informed choices.

What it does

We built a website that lets the user make informed decisions about his grocery list. We offer a tool that provides a nutrient profile, including a food processing score, for any grocery item the user looks up. We also offer the user a few healthier (less processed) suggestions from that particular food group. Another functionality we offer is a grocery list (clean cart)! The user can add products to a list and then get a food processing score for his list.

More details on the food processing score, and the need for it, are explained in this preprint.

How we built it

The app was built using Streamlit, an open source app framework. The main data source is GroceryDB, which is a database with over 50,000 food items sold by Walmart, Target, and Wholefoods, including the degree of processing characterizing each food. Python was the main programming language used.

Challenges we ran into

Data Quality/Volume Issues: We tried to initially use a much larger database and calculate the food processing scores ourselves. Setting up the data for analysis in MongoDB proved to be very time-consuming. We also tried using an existing API to communicate with the database. Downtimes were too frequent and the latency was not high enough to support a smooth experience. So we pivoted to a smaller database.

Development Hurdles: We attempted to set up appropriate environments for Android Studio and React Native in order to make a mobile app. Due to several compatibility issues, we switched to building a laptop and mobile-friendly website instead.

Design Challenges: Integrating an intuitive user interface that effectively communicates food processing scores and alternative suggestions in a clear and actionable manner.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

One of our biggest accomplishments this weekend was pivoting to a simpler architecture for the project when we realized none of our initial plans were working!

We're very proud of coming up with a novel app idea to encourage people to eat and shop smart! A lot of healthy eating apps exist out there, but none give healthy suggestions for less processed food and take food processing severity this seriously.

Our goal

The primary goal of the app is to educate users about the food they consume, particularly the level of processing in the products they buy. By providing actionable information and suggesting healthier alternatives, we aim to guide users towards a lifestyle centered around more natural and nutritious food choices. Ultimately, we aspire to contribute to an overall improvement in public health by encouraging a shift towards a diet with fewer processed foods. As people become more health-conscious and seek ways to make informed choices about what they consume, we recognized the need for a tool that provides easy-to-understand information about the level of food processing in the products they purchase. The desire is to empower individuals to transition to a healthier lifestyle by understanding the processed content of the food they buy and offering alternatives.

What's next for CleanCart

Looking ahead, we plan to enhance the app by incorporating additional features such as meal planning, personalized nutrition recommendations, and community-driven content. We aim to expand the app's database to include a broader range of food products and incorporate user feedback for continual improvement. Additionally, we intend to explore partnerships with nutritionists, dietitians, and food experts, along with major grocery stores and apps like Instacart to provide users with expert advice and further tailor the app to individual needs. Ultimately, we envision the app evolving into a comprehensive health and nutrition hub, promoting healthier lifestyles and supporting users on their journey towards better dietary choices.

Built With

• colab
• grocerydb
• mongodb
• openfoodfact
• pandas
• python
• scikit-learn
• streamlit