Key Facts
- ✓ Garmin added food and calorie tracking to the Connect app at CES 2026.
- ✓ The feature uses AI image recognition and a food database to log meals.
- ✓ Users can log food via compatible Garmin watches using voice commands.
- ✓ The feature is available to Garmin Connect+ subscribers for $6.99 per month.
- ✓ A spokesperson noted that quantity accuracy for AI recognition is currently being improved.
Quick Summary
Garmin has unveiled a new food and calorie tracking feature for its Connect app, announced at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. The update moves beyond standard fitness metrics to include comprehensive nutrition monitoring directly within the Garmin ecosystem.
The new functionality utilizes AI image recognition alongside a substantial food database. This allows users to log meals and track calorie and nutrient intake without needing third-party applications. The feature is designed to work seamlessly with existing user data to provide personalized health insights.
Core Functionality and AI Integration
The Connect app now supports food logging through two primary methods: a comprehensive food database and AI-powered camera recognition. Users can take photos of their meals, and the app attempts to identify the food items. During a media briefing, the app successfully recognized items such as grilled salmon and corn.
However, the technology currently faces limitations regarding portion estimation. A Garmin spokesperson acknowledged that while the app identifies food types quickly, quantity accuracy remains an issue. The company is actively investigating how to improve these estimates. Users can manually adjust serving sizes to correct discrepancies.
Key features of the tracking system include:
- AI Image Recognition: Automatically identifies food items via the camera.
- Custom Meal Entries: Allows users to save frequent meals with correct ingredient quantities.
- Database Integration: Combines with existing fitness data for a holistic view.
Device Integration and Accessibility
Beyond the mobile app, Garmin has optimized the feature for its wearable lineup. Users can monitor nutrition and calorie intake directly on compatible Garmin watches. This includes the ability to log recently consumed foods directly from the wrist without needing a phone.
Voice commands are also supported on compatible wearables, offering a hands-free approach to logging meals. This integration aims to make tracking as frictionless as possible, fitting into the daily routines of users who already rely on Garmin devices for activity tracking.
Personalization and Reporting
The feature is designed to leverage existing user profiles to provide accurate calorie expenditure estimates. By utilizing data points such as height, weight, and gender already stored in the system, the app offers tailored calorie and macronutrient recommendations aligned with specific fitness goals.
For subscribers, the system generates detailed reports. These include daily, weekly, monthly, and annual summaries of calorie targets versus actual consumption. The nutrition data is integrated into the Active Intelligence system, which provides AI-powered insights into workouts and overall health.
Availability and Subscription
The food tracking feature is currently available exclusively to Garmin Connect+ subscribers. The subscription service costs $6.99 per month. In addition to the new nutrition tools, Connect+ includes access to Active Intelligence for workout insights.
The announcement was made at a tech conference in Las Vegas. The location was noted as ironic given the city's reputation for indulgent dining, with Garmin showcasing the feature at a restaurant known for chicken and waffles.
