Need diet help? This electronic fork will nag you
LAS VEGAS (AP) - If you've always wanted a fork that spies on your eating habits, you're in luck: A company has developed a utensil that records when you lift it to the mouth.
The electronic fork is one of the gadgets getting attention this week at the International CES in Las Vegas, an annual showcase of the latest TVs, computers and other consumer-electronic devices.
The HAPIfork is a fork with a fat handle containing electronics and a battery. It's made by HapiIabs, which is based in the land of slow, languorous meals - France.
The fork contains a motion sensor, so it can figure out when it's being lifted to the mouth. If it senses that you're eating too fast, it warns with you with a vibration and a blinking light. The company believes that using the fork 60 to 75 times during meals lasting from 20 to 30 minutes is ideal.
Between meals, you can connect the fork to a computer or phone and upload data on how fast you're eating, for long-term tracking.
The electronics are waterproof, so you can wash the fork in the sink. If you want to put it in the dishwasher, you have to remove the electronics first.
Why you'd want it: Nutritional experts recommend eating slowly because it takes about 20 minutes to start feeling full. If you eat fast, you may eat too much. The fork is also designed to space your forkfuls so that you have time to chew each one properly. It's like having your mom in a utensil!
What it doesn't do: The fork has no clue about the nutritional content of your food or how big your forkfuls are. It can't tell if you're shoveling lard or stabbing peas individually.
Availability: The company is launching a fundraising campaign for the fork in March on the group-fundraising site Kickstarter.com. Participants need to put down $99 for a fork, which is expected to ship around April or May. Those forks will connect to computers through USB cables.
Later this year, the company plans to start selling Bluetooth-enabled forks to the general public. No price was disclosed for that version.
The electronic fork is one of the gadgets getting attention this week at the International CES in Las Vegas, an annual showcase of the latest TVs, computers and other consumer-electronic devices.
The HAPIfork is a fork with a fat handle containing electronics and a battery. It's made by HapiIabs, which is based in the land of slow, languorous meals - France.
The fork contains a motion sensor, so it can figure out when it's being lifted to the mouth. If it senses that you're eating too fast, it warns with you with a vibration and a blinking light. The company believes that using the fork 60 to 75 times during meals lasting from 20 to 30 minutes is ideal.
Between meals, you can connect the fork to a computer or phone and upload data on how fast you're eating, for long-term tracking.
The electronics are waterproof, so you can wash the fork in the sink. If you want to put it in the dishwasher, you have to remove the electronics first.
Why you'd want it: Nutritional experts recommend eating slowly because it takes about 20 minutes to start feeling full. If you eat fast, you may eat too much. The fork is also designed to space your forkfuls so that you have time to chew each one properly. It's like having your mom in a utensil!
What it doesn't do: The fork has no clue about the nutritional content of your food or how big your forkfuls are. It can't tell if you're shoveling lard or stabbing peas individually.
Availability: The company is launching a fundraising campaign for the fork in March on the group-fundraising site Kickstarter.com. Participants need to put down $99 for a fork, which is expected to ship around April or May. Those forks will connect to computers through USB cables.
Later this year, the company plans to start selling Bluetooth-enabled forks to the general public. No price was disclosed for that version.
uh oh . see the lawsuit already.... I didn't know the batteries were dead and now I'm fat and have diabetes and it's the forks fault..... gimme a million dollars . Wal-Mart has a new big screen and bass pro shop has new party barge
"The company believes that using the fork 60 to 75 times during meals lasting from 20 to 30 minutes is ideal." WOW! That is a lot of times to be lifting the fork up to your mouth.
 @Robinsnest You know what the most amazing concept is here?  A meal that would last 30 minutes.  How many Americans take that long to eat a meal anymore?  All my older relatives take forever at the table, not because they're elderly, but because that's how they were raised.  Once upon a time, everyone sat at the table and ate slowly, punctuating their "fork lifts" with conversation.  As a kid, I used to hate it because dinner seemed to take forever, but now I can see the wisdom of their ways. Â
You are what you eat.. honestly folks how hard is it to simply not have seconds and pick intelligent choices for your diet? ... I exercise at least five days a week for 60 minutes of cardio plus mild weights... I lost weight and am at my ideal height weight percentage... sheesh...
@Freespeech As someone who's lost more than 50 pounds, I feel qualified to answer that question, and the answer is 'very'. The fact is, if it were easy, two-thirds of the population wouldn't be obese. Of course, that doesn't mean it can't be done or that you shouldn't do it. Most people intellectually understand the importance of "good food choices" and exercise. It's the psychological stamina that's required to make those changes and stick with them that is in short supply.
Well, it wouldn't help me then, since I was on the "take the fork out of your mouth dummy" diet plan. Who needs a fork to tell them anything, because if you're that dependent upon technology in the first place, chances are you'd lose weight if you just get off your buns and take a walk every now and again. BTW, if you eat naturally, drink plenty of water and exercise, you'll rarely need a fork.Â
I'm so glad it can't tell when I'm shoveling lard into my mouth, because I always like to do that in peace.
How about eat slowly, enjoy your meals, learn to cook healthy meals, drink lots of water and get off your butt and take a daily walk?
@BlueJedi So many people don't know how to cook healthy. I am in my 30's and am just learning- I grew up eating hamburger helper, processed foods, etc at my moms and fried, fatty foods at my grandmothers. (I wasn't overweight as a child/teen)Â
 @MomOf2  @BlueJedi I'm glad you are learning to cook healthy. Now a days, theres no excuse to not learn how to cook with all the free cook books and info out there on the internet.
 @BlueJedi Right on...and I don't need a nannyfork to tell me that!