What Counts As A Yellow Food On Noom?

One powerful diet app is changing the way we track our meals by teaching us to color-code our foods. Backed by science and psychology, the Noom app is a wellness tool designed to help users upgrade their eating habits. Whether it's weight loss, building muscle, or gaining deeper insight into the nutrition science of food, Noom supports its users through a green, yellow, and red color-coding system. According to PopSugar, green foods are the lowest in calories and the most nutrient-rich, while red foods are caloric-dense. Where does this leave yellow foods?

Smack dab in the middle of green and red foods are yellow foods. These foods aren't bad for you, but instead, they lie in the middle of low- to high-caloric foods and should be eaten in moderation (via Women's Health). Think lean meats, dairy, and fat.

When it comes to yellow-approved meats, PopSugar recommends eating lean beef, chicken, or turkey. If you prefer seafood, add in some shrimp, salmon, tuna, or sushi (per PopSugar). For the plant-based eater, you'll also find plenty of yellow food options, such as legumes, which are packed with fiber, as well as plantains, tempeh, tofu, and low-fat dairy (via Women's Health).

Beyond meats and dairy, there are other options that make the cut for yellow foods. On the brightly colored list are grains including white rice, couscous, corn tortillas, bagels, and pasta (via PopSugar). However, keep in mind that anything labeled as whole grain is considered a green food.

As you've probably guessed by now, healthy fats are listed as yellow foods. These items include avocados and olives (via PopSugar). Believe it or not, dried fruits, such as prunes or apricots, as well as mustard, whole eggs, fruit juice, and diet soda are considered yellow foods as well (per Good Housekeeping).

Yellow foods tend to be more starchy and should make up about 45% of your daily caloric intake, according to Women's Health. Noom encourages its users to prioritize green foods over yellow foods since yellow foods are more calorie-dense. However, Good Housekeeping points out that doesn't mean you should shun yellow-listed foods, as they may be healthy in their own respective ways. Instead, if you find yourself endlessly craving yellow-approved foods, Good Housekeeping suggests swapping yellow foods for green foods. For instance, one easy swap is fat-free yogurt over low-fat yogurt. It's important to note while the app is generally safe to use, talk to your physician first before changing your diet.