CarbZen FAQ

AI estimates are cross-checked against the USDA FoodData Central database on every scan. You can edit any value if you know the portion better than the model. For medical decisions like insulin dosing, treat estimates as a starting point and adjust based on your CGM trends and your care team's guidance.

No. CarbZen is a carb-counting tool, not a medical device. It helps you estimate what you're about to eat so you can make informed decisions. Pair it with your CGM for the full picture.

Yes. Restaurant meals are exactly where barcode scanners and food diaries fail. CarbZen identifies multiple items on a single plate and gives you a per-item breakdown — for example, a curry plate gets broken down into rice, sauce, and vegetables, each with its own carb count.

Yes. Tap any value on the breakdown screen to edit it. Your edits are saved with the scan and used in your daily totals.

CarbZen requires a network connection to analyze a new photo. The app does an on-device fast pass, then a cloud cross-check for the final result. With no connection, you can still browse all of your saved scans offline.

CarbZen is built specifically for people who count carbs to manage blood sugar. Per-item carb counts make it easier to dose insulin for mixed meals, restaurant plates, and dishes you didn't cook. Always treat estimates as a starting point and adjust based on your CGM trends and your endocrinologist's guidance.

Yes. People with Type 2 diabetes who track carbs to keep blood sugar in range get the same per-item breakdowns and weekly trends. Net carbs mode is built in for low-carb plans.

Yes. CarbZen is widely used by people on GLP-1 receptor agonists. Pro shows the full macro breakdown — protein, carbs, fat, fiber — so you can prioritize protein and avoid muscle loss while in a caloric deficit. See our guide to eating on Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications.

Yes. Net carbs mode (Pro) automatically subtracts fiber from total carbs on every scan. This is the standard calculation used in keto and low-carb plans in the United States. Read our net carbs explainer for more.

No. CarbZen is a carb-counting tool, not a medical device, and is not subject to FDA regulation. Always work with your endocrinologist, registered dietitian, or care team for medical decisions.

Never. CarbZen has no sign-up, no email capture, no profile. Open the app and scan. All scan history stays on your device.

Photos are analyzed through our secure Cloudflare proxy, stripped of metadata, and discarded immediately after analysis. Only the carb estimate and a local thumbnail are saved on your device. See our full privacy policy.

Photos are processed in-memory on Cloudflare Workers and never stored after analysis. Server logs are automatically deleted within 72 hours. Scan history is local-only — it never leaves your device unless you choose to delete the app.

Free with three full scans every day, forever. CarbZen Pro is $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year (saves 50%) and unlocks unlimited scans, full macro breakdowns, daily goals, weekly trends, and net carbs mode.

Yes. Three scans every day, forever. No trial expiring, no credit card required, no surprise charges.

Subscriptions are managed entirely through the App Store. Cancel anytime in iPhone Settings > your Apple ID > Subscriptions > CarbZen.

CarbZen runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later. There is no Android version yet.

Carbs are the headline number on every scan. CarbZen Pro adds the full macro breakdown — protein, fat, fiber — and weekly averages.

Apple Health export is on the roadmap. Today, scan history lives on-device with photo, timestamp, and macros, and you can export to CSV for sharing with your care team.

Browsing existing scans works offline. New scans require a connection so the photo can be analyzed and cross-checked against the USDA database.