It is a challenge to stay healthy when you are moving from place to place. Between getting a quick bite from the drive-thru to shopping in an unfamiliar grocery store, you may feel like you never eat right and that regular exercise is almost impossible. If you are looking for ways to normalize your life while on assignment, apps are an asset.

Fitness apps are all the rage right now. Here are a few that fit best into the life of a nurse that travels for a living.

MyFitnessPal

The nice thing about MyFitnessPal is the vast database of food selections that help you manage your calorie intake. There are many calorie counters that have basic choices, but MyFitnessPal lists menu items in specific restaurants and covers custom label brands for major stores. If you are frequenting a new establishment, whether it is a restaurant or grocery store, you can still keep an accurate count of calorie consumption. If it is not in their database, you can personally add it for future reference.

MyFitnessPal is free to download. The app is available for most mobile devices. You do need to sign up for a free account to track your calories.

Fooducate

Fooducate is a nifty tool to have when trying to put together healthy meals on the road because it was developed by dieticians to train people to eat right. You scan the product and the app provides you with a nutritional breakdown and grades the food item from A to D.

Fooducate is free to use and available for iOS and Android mobile device. You need to sign up for an account to monitor your food choices.

Shopwell

Shopwell is an app designed for people who have special dietary needs. For example, you can’t digest gluten or have a food allergy. You scan a food product with your phone and the app tells you if it is a good choice for your specific needs. You also get nutritional information and a list of ingredients of every item.

It is free to use and available for iOS and Android systems.

DailyBurn

The DailyBurn app is a virtual trainer. It offers exercise videos that allow you to work out whether you are living in a hotel or hanging out in your living room. The app tracks your workouts, so you can be sure you get the recommended time in each week despite a busy schedule. There is a section that offers nutrition tips, as well.

DailyBurn is a subscription service that currently costs $12.95 a month, but they do offer a free 30-day trial. It works on your computer, with media streaming products like Roku and on iOS and Android mobile devices.

Nike Training Club

The Nike Training Club app is a lot like DailyBurn, but free to use. The app offers 130 different exercise routines with audio instructions to keep you moving. It will also track your workouts and monitor your progress. It is available for both iOS and Android mobile devices.

MapMyRun

MapMyRun is a full service tool that covers both calorie counting and activity. Obviously, it is geared for the runner, but works whether you are a beginner or seasoned jogger. The app makes route suggestions based on your current location and desired distance, so it is an ideal choice for a nurse in a major city.

MapMyRun is free to use on your iOS, Android or Blackberry device, but you do need an account to get started.

As a health care professional, you know the importance of staying fit. Why not get a little virtual assistance with a fitness app that does some of the work for you, so you can focus on getting the most out of your new adventure?