Inspired by a DNA wellbeing test, which shows genetic strengths and weaknesses in health, I visited the NHS Vitamins and Minerals page and found it overwhelming. I copied all micronutrients into a list with the foods they are in and dietary supplement doses for nutrients missing in diet. This made a shopping list at the bottom, which turned out to be cheaper than a regular shop.

The NHS website also said people living in the UK don't get enough sunlight to make vitamin D in the colder half of the year. This is more so for people who stay inside and for darker skin tones.

I looked to see what was out there. There is not one other app, which tells you all the micronutrients you need in your diet and the foods they come from with supplements or gaps.

Most nutrition apps are based on counting calories, as if all foods act the same when we eat them. In fact some are used for repair (amino acids AKA protein) or delivering fat soluble vitamins (fatty acids), some for instant energy (starch or sugar carbs), others for healthy gut microbiome (acidophillus and other live cultures) and yet more foods for water soluble vitamins and fibre, to remove toxins from the body and keep blood sugar levels balanced. That doesn't cover minerals and trace elements, which all have jobs.

Over the year researching and testing for this idea, I have discovered how different food cultures provide wisdoms about food. Even British stodge such as fish and chips, which may be too heavy for most people today, would have played a vital role in the past, when people were more active, burning more energy everyday.

Today we have crash diets, yo-yo weight, ultra-processed foods and avoiding metabolic diseases and a host of gastronomic problems, which trigger people to look for answers.

Hearth Nutrition aims to make choosing food enjoyable less of a chore and perhaps reduce the need for artificial medicines for some of the common ailments experienced today, which could be solved through healthier lifestyles. Especially during a pandemic with lockdowns, when many people have had to stay at home and had to adapt to a new, less active lifestyle.