Luna Log — a cycle-aware, compassionate food & wellness tracker.
Photo-first logging, empathetic AI, evidence-based education.
📖 Estimated reading time: 12-15 minutes
Problem
Diet culture apps promote guilt and ignore women's cycles
Solution
Empathetic AI companion with cycle-aware insights
Role
UX/UI Designer & Researcher
Impact
Anti-diet culture wellness revolution
The Personal Journey Behind Luna Log
Luna Log began as a deeply personal project during my Google UX course. Like many women, I found myself trapped in cycles of guilt around food choices, using ChatGPT as an informal food diary and constantly seeking validation about my eating habits.
Through these conversations, I realized that existing health apps completely ignore the profound impact of menstrual cycles on appetite, energy, and emotional well-being. This revelation sparked the idea for an app that could address the whole picture of women's wellness—not just calories in, calories out.
Luna Log became my answer to diet culture: a compassionate wellness companion that combines food awareness with menstrual cycle tracking, evidence-based nutrition education, and most importantly—an AI companion trained in empathy, not judgment.
Core Innovation
- • First cycle-aware nutrition app
- • AI companion trained in empathy
- • Evidence-based myth-busting
- • Anti-diet culture messaging
Tools & Timeline
Figma, Miro, React Native
8 weeks (Google UX Course Capstone)
Project Type
Personal passion project addressing a market gap in empathetic health tech
The Problem: Diet Culture in Digital Health
The Harsh Reality of Current Health Apps:
- •Most women I interviewed expressed guilt around food choices
- •Rigid tracking linked to disordered eating patterns
- •Apps ignore menstrual cycle impact on nutrition needs
- •Conflicting nutrition advice creates confusion
- •Clinical interfaces lack emotional support
- •One-size-fits-all approach ignores individual needs
Research Approach & Limitations:
In-depth interviews
Women aged 25-35 in Singapore
Academic studies reviewed
Menstrual cycle & nutrition research
Competitive audits
MyFitnessPal, Flo, Noom
Note: As a concept project, this research was limited in scope. A real product would require larger sample sizes and more comprehensive market research.
Key Research Insights:
Emotional Pain Points
- • Shame spirals after "bad" food days
- • Confusion about conflicting diet advice
- • Feeling broken when apps don't work
- • Lack of understanding about cycle changes
Unmet Needs
- • Compassionate, non-judgmental guidance
- • Cycle-aware nutrition recommendations
- • Evidence-based myth-busting
- • Emotional support during difficult phases
Competitive Analysis: Gaps in the Market
I analyzed three major players in the health and wellness app space to understand where Luna Log could differentiate and add unique value.
MyFitnessPal
Calorie Counting Leader
Strengths
- • Massive food database
- • Barcode scanning functionality
- • Large user community
- • Detailed macro tracking
Weaknesses
- • Promotes calorie obsession
- • Guilt-inducing interface warnings
- • No menstrual cycle awareness
- • Clinical, impersonal design
Flo
Period Tracking Leader
Strengths
- • Comprehensive cycle tracking
- • Educational health content
- • Symptom correlation features
- • Intuitive, feminine design
Weaknesses
- • No nutrition integration
- • Limited food-cycle connection
- • Focuses on fertility over wellness
- • No personalized guidance
Noom
Psychology-Based Approach
Strengths
- • Behavioral psychology approach
- • Personal coaching support
- • Educational article library
- • Habit formation focus
Weaknesses
- • Still weight-loss focused
- • Expensive subscription model
- • No menstrual cycle consideration
- • Generic coaching approach
Market Opportunity
What's Missing in the Market
- •Integration of menstrual cycle awareness with nutrition tracking
- •Empathetic AI that provides emotional support, not just data
- •Anti-diet culture messaging that promotes body positivity
- •Photo-first logging that reduces tracking friction and guilt
Luna Log's Unique Position
Luna Log occupies a unique space at the intersection of cycle awareness, body positivity, AI empathy, and evidence-based education.
No existing app combines all these elements to create a truly empathetic wellness experience for women.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | MyFitnessPal | Flo | Noom | Luna Log |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Tracking | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cycle Tracking | — | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Cycle-Nutrition Integration | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Diet Culture Approach | — | ~ | — | ✓ |
| AI Companion | — | — | ~ | ✓ |
| Photo-First Logging | ~ | — | ~ | ✓ |
User Personas: Real Women, Real Struggles
Sarah, 28
Marketing Manager
Pain Points
Energy crashes during PMS, guilt about carb cravings, confusion about "healthy" eating
Goals
Understand her body's patterns, eat intuitively, maintain energy for demanding job
"I mean, I guess it would be nice if an app actually understood that I'm not just being weak when I want to eat more some weeks. Like, maybe there's actually a reason for it?"
— Sarah, 28, Marketing Manager
Maya, 32
Recovering from Diet Culture
Pain Points
Triggered by calorie counting, fear of "bad" foods, all-or-nothing mindset
Goals
Heal relationship with food, practice self-compassion, trust her body
"I need something that won't yell at me if I have a cookie, you know? Like, I'm trying to be nice to myself."
— Maya, 32, Recovering from Diet Culture
Priya, 26
Health-Conscious Professional
Pain Points
Information overload, conflicting advice, wants evidence-based guidance
Goals
Make informed choices, understand nutrition science, optimize health naturally
"I just want to know *why* I should eat something, not just be told to do it. Like, give me the science!"
— Priya, 26, Health-Conscious Professional
Ideation & Design Process
How Might We Statements
Based on our research insights, I developed these key questions to guide the design process:
HMW create empathy instead of judgment?
Focus on supportive language and validating experiences
HMW make cycle awareness accessible?
Integrate menstrual cycle education naturally into the experience
HMW reduce tracking friction?
Photo-first approach with minimal manual input required
HMW combat diet culture myths?
Provide evidence-based education that debunks harmful beliefs
Feature Prioritization
Using an impact vs. effort matrix, I prioritized features for the MVP:
High Impact, Low Effort
- • Photo-based food logging
- • Daily nutrition tips
- • Empathetic messaging
High Impact, High Effort
- • AI companion (Luna)
- • Cycle correlation insights
- • Personalized recommendations
Future Considerations
- • Community features
- • Wearable integration
- • Healthcare provider sharing
User Journey Mapping
I mapped the current vs. ideal user experience to identify key intervention points:
Current Journey (Problematic)
Ideal Journey (Luna Log)
Information Architecture
I organized the app structure around three core pillars: Track, Learn, and Connect.
Track
- • Photo food logging
- • Mood & energy check-ins
- • Cycle phase tracking
- • Pattern insights
Learn
- • Daily nutrition tips
- • Myth-busting content
- • Cycle education
- • Evidence-based articles
Connect
- • Luna AI companion
- • Empathetic responses
- • Personalized guidance
- • Emotional support
Wireframes & Design Evolution
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
I started with basic wireframes to establish the core user flows and information hierarchy, focusing on functionality over aesthetics.
Main Dashboard
Initial layout focusing on quick photo capture and daily insights
Food Logging Flow
Simplified photo capture with minimal required inputs
Insights & Patterns
Early concept for displaying cycle-aware insights
Key Design Iterations
Iteration 1: Navigation Structure
Before: Top Tab Navigation
Users found top tabs hard to reach on larger phones
After: Bottom Navigation
Bottom navigation improved thumb accessibility
Iteration 2: Food Logging Interface
Before: Form-Heavy Approach
Too many required fields created friction and guilt
After: Photo-First Approach
Photo capture with optional context reduced barriers
High-Fidelity Design Evolution
The final designs incorporated user feedback, accessibility considerations, and the empathetic visual language that defines Luna Log.
Dashboard
Welcoming home screen
Photo Logging
Gentle capture flow
Cycle Insights
Personalized patterns
Luna AI
Empathetic companion
Design Philosophy: Empathy Over Algorithms
Core Principles
Empathy First
Every interaction designed to be supportive, never judgmental
Evidence-Based
All nutrition education backed by research, debunking harmful myths
Cycle-Aware
Recognizing that women's needs change throughout their menstrual cycle
Body Positive
Celebrating body wisdom and intuitive eating over external rules
Visual Language
Color Palette
Warm, earthy tones that evoke safety and growth
Typography
Serif fonts for warmth and approachability, creating a more human, less clinical feel
Tone of Voice
Compassionate friend, not clinical expert. Celebrates progress, normalizes struggles
Key Features: Redefining Food Tracking
Photo-First Logging
Camera-based meal capture reduces friction and guilt. No calorie counting pressure—focus on patterns and feelings instead.
- •Gentle portion guidance using hand measurements
- •Educational tips during logging process
- •Celebrates consistency over perfection
Use the arrows or click the dots to explore different features
User Testing & Iteration
Testing Methodology
5 Participants
Women aged 24-34, mix of health app users and non-users
Figma Prototype
Interactive prototype with key user flows and static AI chat mockups
30-min Sessions
Task-based testing with think-aloud protocol
Testing Tasks
Primary Tasks
- ✓Log a meal using photo capture
- ✓Find and read a nutrition tip
- ✓Check cycle-related insights
- ✓Interact with Luna AI companion
Success Metrics
- 📊Task completion rate: 100%
- ⏱️Average task time: 2.1 minutes
- 😊Positive sentiment: 4/5 users
- 🎯Would use regularly: 3/5 users
Key Testing Findings
What Worked Well
- • Users loved the empathetic tone and non-judgmental language
- • Photo-first logging felt "natural" and "less overwhelming"
- • Cycle awareness was described as "eye-opening" and "validating"
- • Luna AI responses were seen as "supportive" and "actually helpful"
Areas for Improvement
- • Some users wanted more detailed nutrition information
- • Navigation between sections could be clearer
- • A few users questioned long-term engagement without social features
- • Onboarding could better explain the cycle-tracking benefits
Design Changes Based on Feedback
Navigation Improvements
Before:
Users got lost between main sections
After:
Added clear section headers and breadcrumbs
Enhanced Onboarding
Before:
Jumped straight into logging without context
After:
Added educational intro about cycle-aware wellness
Luna AI Companion: Your Empathetic Wellness Guide
Concept Feature
The Luna AI companion represents the vision for this app, but would require significant development and training. For this concept project, I focused on designing the conversation flows and defining the empathetic response framework.
Prototype Limitation
During usability testing, the AI chat interface was a static mockup with pre-written responses. Users could tap through scripted conversations to understand the concept, but there was no actual AI functionality. This allowed us to test the interaction design and messaging tone without the complexity of building a real AI system.
Meet Luna
Luna is an AI companion designed to provide empathetic, cycle-aware guidance. As shown in the interface, Luna explains complex topics like how nutritional needs change throughout the menstrual cycle in a warm, supportive way that normalizes these experiences rather than pathologizing them.
Empathetic Responses
"I ate way too much today and feel terrible about myself."
Luna: "It sounds like you're being really hard on yourself. Your body needed nourishment today, and that's okay. Let's explore what might have influenced your hunger—are you in your luteal phase? That's when many women naturally need more food."
Evidence-Based Education
"Is it true that eating carbs at night makes you gain weight?"
Luna: "That's actually a myth! Your body doesn't have a magical cutoff time for processing nutrients. What matters more is your overall intake and how foods make you feel. Many women actually sleep better with some carbs before bed."
Cycle-Aware Guidance
"I'm craving chocolate constantly this week. What's wrong with me?"
Luna: "Nothing's wrong with you! You're in your luteal phase, when progesterone rises and your body naturally craves more magnesium—which is abundant in dark chocolate. Your body is actually being quite smart."
Brand Strategy: Building Trust & Connection
Brand Pillars
Compassion
Leading with empathy and understanding in all communications
Science-Backed
All nutrition education backed by research, debunking harmful myths
Empowerment
Giving women the tools and knowledge to make informed choices
Target Audience
Primary Audience
Women aged 25-45 who are actively seeking to improve their relationship with food and their bodies. They are interested in holistic wellness and are open to alternative approaches to health.
Secondary Audience
Healthcare professionals (registered dietitians, therapists) who are looking for resources to support their clients in developing healthier relationships with food.
Go-to-Market Strategy: Reaching Our Audience
Marketing Channels
Social Media
Focus on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, creating engaging content that promotes body positivity, intuitive eating, and cycle awareness.
Content Marketing
Develop a blog and resource library with articles, recipes, and expert interviews on topics related to women's health and wellness.
Partnerships
Collaborate with influencers, health professionals, and organizations that align with our mission to reach a wider audience.
Key Messaging
Headline
"Luna Log: The cycle-aware wellness app that helps you heal your relationship with food."
Value Proposition
"Stop counting calories and start connecting with your body. Luna Log provides personalized insights and compassionate support to help you achieve sustainable wellness."
Call to Action
"Download Luna Log today and start your journey towards a healthier, happier you."
Concept Validation & Market Opportunity
Initial User Feedback
Positive Reception
Users praised the app's empathetic approach, cycle-aware insights, and focus on intuitive eating.
"This is the first health app that has ever made me feel good about myself. I love how it understands my cycle and gives me personalized recommendations."
Areas for Improvement
Users suggested adding more community features, expanding the expert content library, and integrating with wearable devices.
"I would love to be able to connect with other women who are on a similar journey. It would also be great to have access to more resources from registered dietitians and therapists."
Market Opportunity
Growing Demand
The market for women's health and wellness apps is rapidly growing, with increasing demand for personalized and holistic solutions.
Competitive Advantage
Luna Log's unique focus on cycle awareness, empathetic AI, and anti-diet culture messaging sets it apart from traditional food tracking apps.
Prototype Testing (5 people)
Tested Figma prototype with friends and acquaintances - a small but focused sample for this concept project.
- Most found the tone refreshingly supportive
- Several expressed interest in the Luna AI concept
- All preferred photo logging over manual entry
- Some questioned whether they'd actually use it long-term
Challenges & Learnings
Design Challenges
Balancing Features
Struggled with how much to include without overwhelming users. The AI companion, while exciting, might be too ambitious for an MVP.
Limited User Testing
With only 5 interviews and 5 prototype tests, I recognize the need for more comprehensive user research before development.
Key Learnings
Empathy in Design
This project reinforced how crucial it is to design with genuine empathy, especially for sensitive topics like body image and food relationships.
Marketing + UX Synergy
My marketing background helped me think about positioning and messaging from day one, not as an afterthought.
Key Takeaways
Empathy-Driven Design
Prioritizing emotional support over data collection
Cycle-Aware Innovation
First app to integrate menstrual cycle with nutrition
Anti-Diet Culture
Challenging harmful wellness industry norms
Our Vision for the Future
"I want women to feel empowered, not ashamed—so they can eat well, learn about their bodies, and stop blaming themselves for things that are completely normal."
Luna Log isn't just about tracking food. It's about creating a world where women can pursue wellness with kindness, understanding, and genuine self-care—free from the toxic messages of diet culture.
This case study represents my commitment to designing technology that heals rather than harms, that empowers rather than restricts, and that celebrates the beautiful complexity of women's bodies and experiences.
Interested in discussing this project?
I'd love to share more about the research insights, design decisions, and technical challenges behind Luna Log. Let's talk about how empathetic design can create real impact.