CarbZen FAQ
Common questions about the AI carb counter, accuracy, privacy, pricing, diabetes use, GLP-1 medications, keto, and how scans actually work.
Accuracy and how it works
How accurate is the carb count?
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.
Does CarbZen replace my CGM or glucose monitor?
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.
Does CarbZen work for restaurant meals, mixed dishes, and home cooking?
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.
Can I edit a carb count if I disagree with the AI?
Yes. Tap any value on the breakdown screen to edit it. Your edits are saved with the scan and used in your daily totals.
What if I don't have signal when I scan?
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.
Diabetes and medical conditions
Is CarbZen good for Type 1 diabetes?
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.
Is CarbZen good for Type 2 diabetes?
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.
Does CarbZen work with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound?
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.
Can I count net carbs?
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.
Is CarbZen FDA-approved?
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.
Privacy and data
Do I need an account?
Never. CarbZen has no sign-up, no email capture, no profile. Open the app and scan. All scan history stays on your device.
What happens with my meal photos?
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.
How is my data protected?
Photos are processed in-memory on Cloudflare Workers and never stored after analysis. Server logs are automatically deleted within 72 hours. Scan history lives on your device, and if you turn on iCloud Sync it also syncs through your own private iCloud account, which only you can access, we never see it.
Pricing and subscription
How much does CarbZen cost?
Free for 7 days, unlimited, then 30 scans every month, forever. CarbZen Pro is $6.99 per month (3-day free trial), $39.99 per year (7-day free trial, saves 52%), or $129.99 lifetime, and unlocks unlimited scans, full macro breakdowns, daily goals, weekly trends, net carbs mode, meal notes, and the Doctor PDF Export.
Is the free version really free forever?
Yes. Free for 7 days, unlimited, then 30 scans every month, forever. No trial expiring, no credit card required, no surprise charges.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Subscriptions are managed entirely through the App Store. Cancel anytime in iPhone Settings > your Apple ID > Subscriptions > CarbZen.
Devices and integrations
What devices does CarbZen support?
CarbZen runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later. There is no Android version yet.
Does CarbZen track calories or just carbs?
Carbs are the headline number on every scan. CarbZen Pro adds the full macro breakdown, protein, fat, fiber, and weekly averages.
Does CarbZen sync with Apple Health?
Yes, on iOS. CarbZen can write your carb counts to Apple Health, just turn it on in Settings (it never reads your Health data back). Your scan history also lives on-device with photo, timestamp, and macros, and you can export to CSV for your care team.
Does CarbZen work without an internet connection?
Browsing existing scans works offline. New scans require a connection so the photo can be analyzed and cross-checked against the USDA database.
Try it free
Free for 7 days, unlimited. Then 30 scans every month, forever. No card, no account, no diary.
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