A 2026 study of 79 Spanish college students found that Traqq-Spain, a smartphone app adapted for Spanish speakers, accurately tracked most food groups with good agreement (correlation scores of 0.52-0.65) compared to a validated food questionnaire, and users rated it highly for ease of use with a score of 78.9 out of 100. According to Gram Research analysis, the app successfully captures real-time dietary information while reducing memory errors, though it showed difficulty tracking whole grains specifically.
Researchers adapted Traqq, a smartphone app that tracks what you eat in real-time, for use in Spain. The app was tested with 79 Spanish college students who used it to record their meals over four weeks. According to Gram Research analysis, the app showed good agreement with traditional food questionnaires and was easy to use, with users rating it highly for usability. The Spanish version successfully captured most food groups accurately, though it had some difficulty tracking whole grain intake. This makes Traqq-Spain a promising tool for helping people monitor their diet and understand their eating habits without relying on memory.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study of 79 Spanish university students found that the adapted Traqq-Spain app showed good agreement with validated food questionnaires for most food groups, with correlation scores ranging from 0.52 to 0.65.
The Spanish version of Traqq received an above-average usability score of 78.9 out of 100 on the System Usability Scale, indicating users found the app easy and pleasant to use.
In a 2026 evaluation of 79 Spanish adults, the Traqq-Spain app showed almost no correlation (r = 0.04) with traditional questionnaires for tracking whole grain intake, suggesting this food group requires additional monitoring methods.
A 2026 adaptation study found that Traqq-Spain successfully reduced recall errors in dietary assessment by enabling real-time food reporting in a Spanish-speaking population of 79 college students over a four-week period.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a smartphone app called Traqq, adapted for Spanish speakers, could accurately track what people eat in real-time and whether it was easy to use.
- Who participated: 79 Spanish university students with an average age of about 25 years old. Most were female (73%), healthy weight (77%), and not following any special diet.
- Key finding: The app showed good agreement with a validated food questionnaire for most food groups (correlation scores of 0.52-0.65), meaning it tracked eating patterns reliably. Users rated the app as very easy to use with a score of 78.9 out of 100.
- What it means for you: If you’re interested in tracking your diet accurately without relying on memory, this app could be a helpful tool. However, it may not be as accurate for tracking whole grains specifically, so you might need additional methods for that food group.
The Research Details
Researchers took an existing food-tracking app called Traqq that was originally made in the Netherlands and adapted it specifically for Spanish speakers. They changed the food list to include Spanish foods and dishes, adjusted portion sizes to match Spanish standards, translated everything into Spanish, and tested it with real users to make sure it worked well.
The study involved 79 Spanish college students who used the app over a four-week period. During this time, participants recorded what they ate during random 2-hour windows multiple times. They also filled out a traditional food questionnaire at the end. The researchers then compared the results from the app with the results from the questionnaire to see how well they matched.
Usability was measured using a standard questionnaire called the System Usability Scale, which asks users questions about how easy the app was to use, how intuitive it felt, and whether they would use it again.
Most diet tracking relies on people remembering what they ate, which is often inaccurate. Real-time apps like Traqq reduce this ‘memory error’ by asking people to record meals immediately. Adapting the app for Spanish speakers ensures that the food list, portion sizes, and cultural context match what Spanish people actually eat, making it more accurate and useful.
This study was well-designed with a validated comparison method (the food frequency questionnaire was already proven to be accurate). The sample size of 79 participants is reasonable for this type of research. However, the participants were mostly young, healthy college students, so results may not apply equally to older adults or people with different health conditions. The study was conducted at a single university, which limits how broadly the findings apply.
What the Results Show
The Spanish version of Traqq showed good agreement with the validated food questionnaire for most food groups. Specifically, correlations ranged from 0.52 to 0.65 for most categories, which researchers consider ‘good’ agreement. This means the app was capturing eating patterns similarly to the traditional method.
However, there was one notable exception: whole grains showed almost no correlation (r = 0.04) between the app and the questionnaire. This suggests the app may have difficulty accurately tracking whole grain consumption, possibly because whole grains can be hard to identify in mixed dishes or because the food list wasn’t comprehensive enough for this category.
The app also tended to record lower intake for three food groups compared to the questionnaire: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fast/processed savory foods. This could mean people underreported these foods when using the app, or the questionnaire overestimated them.
Usability was a major strength of the study. The app received an average usability score of 78.9 out of 100, which is considered ‘above average’ and suggests most users found it easy and pleasant to use.
The study found that the app worked particularly well for tracking most food groups in real-time, which is important because real-time tracking is more accurate than asking people to remember what they ate days or weeks later. The successful adaptation process—including creating a Spanish food list, adjusting portion sizes, and translating the interface—appears to have been effective, as evidenced by the high usability scores. The fact that 73% of participants were female and most were young and healthy suggests the app may work especially well for this demographic.
This research builds on the original Traqq app developed in the Netherlands. The adaptation process followed established guidelines for making apps work in different countries and cultures. Previous research has shown that real-time dietary assessment apps reduce memory errors compared to traditional methods, and this Spanish study confirms that benefit while showing the app can be successfully adapted for different populations. The good correlation scores (0.52-0.65) are consistent with what researchers expect when comparing different dietary assessment methods.
The study only included 79 participants, all from one university in Spain, so results may not apply to all Spanish adults. The participants were mostly young (average age 25), female (73%), and healthy, which means we don’t know how well the app works for older adults, men, or people with obesity or chronic diseases. The study lasted only four weeks, so we don’t know if people would continue using the app accurately over longer periods. The app’s difficulty with whole grains suggests it may need improvement in this area before being used for research or clinical purposes. Finally, because participants knew they were being studied, they may have been more careful about recording their food than they would be in real-world use.
The Bottom Line
For Spanish-speaking adults interested in tracking their diet, Traqq-Spain appears to be a reliable and user-friendly option, particularly for monitoring most food groups. It’s especially useful if you want to reduce reliance on memory and get real-time feedback about your eating. However, don’t rely solely on this app for tracking whole grains—use additional methods or food labels for that category. Confidence level: Moderate to High for most food groups; Low for whole grains.
Spanish-speaking adults, particularly younger adults and those interested in detailed dietary tracking, would benefit from this app. Healthcare providers and nutritionists working with Spanish-speaking patients could use it for dietary assessment. Researchers studying diet and health in Spanish populations should consider this tool. People with specific dietary needs (like those managing diabetes or heart disease) should verify the app’s accuracy for their particular food groups before relying on it completely.
You should see useful dietary data within the first week of consistent use. The app’s real-time nature means you get immediate feedback about your eating patterns. However, to identify meaningful trends in your diet, you should use it for at least 2-4 weeks, as the study participants did.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the Traqq-Spain app for tracking what I eat?
The app shows good accuracy for most food groups, with correlation scores of 0.52-0.65 compared to validated questionnaires. However, it struggles with whole grains (correlation near zero), so you should supplement whole grain tracking with other methods like food labels.
Is the Traqq-Spain app easy to use?
Yes. In a 2026 study of 79 Spanish users, the app received a usability score of 78.9 out of 100, which is considered above-average. Most users found it intuitive and pleasant to use for recording meals.
Can I use this app to track my diet long-term?
The study tested the app for four weeks with good results, suggesting it works well for short-term tracking. However, the research doesn’t confirm whether accuracy remains high over months or years, so you may want to periodically verify your results.
Who should use the Traqq-Spain app?
The app works best for Spanish-speaking adults, particularly younger adults interested in detailed dietary tracking. It’s useful for people wanting to reduce memory errors in diet reporting. However, it may not be as accurate for older adults or those with specific health conditions, as the study only tested college-age students.
What food groups does Traqq-Spain track most accurately?
The app accurately tracks fruits and vegetables, proteins, dairy, and processed foods. Whole grains showed poor accuracy (nearly zero correlation), so you should use additional methods like food labels or a nutritionist’s guidance for tracking whole grain intake.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your intake of the five main food groups (fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins, dairy, and fats) daily using the app. Record meals within 2 hours of eating them for maximum accuracy. Aim for at least 4 weeks of consistent tracking to identify your eating patterns.
- Use the app’s real-time feedback to identify which meals are highest in processed foods or lowest in fruits and vegetables. Set a weekly goal to increase one food group (like adding vegetables to lunch) and use the app to track your progress toward that specific goal.
- Review your weekly food group intake summaries every Sunday. Compare your actual intake to recommended daily amounts. For whole grains specifically, supplement the app data with manual tracking or food labels since the app showed lower accuracy for this category. After 4 weeks, identify your top 3 eating patterns and decide which one to improve next.
This research describes the development and testing of a dietary tracking app in a specific population of young, healthy Spanish college students. Results may not apply equally to older adults, people with chronic diseases, or those from different cultural backgrounds. The app should not be used as a substitute for professional medical or nutritional advice. If you have specific dietary needs related to a health condition, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before relying solely on any app for dietary assessment. The app showed particular limitations in tracking whole grains, so supplementary tracking methods are recommended for this food group. This summary is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.