Garmin Connect debuts native nutrition tracking, integrated with Active Intelligence

Garmin has finally done what users had waited years for: Garmin Connect now includes a full-fledged built-in nutrition tracking system. Announced at CES 2026, the feature lets you track calories, macronutrients, and meals right in the app, without relying on third-party services like MyFitnessPal. There’s a catch, though: it’s available only with the paid Connect+ subscription.

In Connect, burned and consumed calories appear in one place, with breakdowns for protein, fat, and carbohydrates. You can review daily, weekly, or monthly trends. Food can be added manually from a product database, by scanning a barcode, or via your phone’s camera, which attempts to recognize a dish from a photo.

The standout change is deep integration with the Active Intelligence system. Nutrition now ties directly into training load, recovery, and sleep. The app can, for example, suggest how a late, heavy dinner affects sleep quality or why recovery slowed after a demanding day.

Garmin had long excelled at workouts, stress, and sleep, while nutrition remained the ecosystem’s weak spot. This update closes that gap and nudges Connect toward a more cohesive health and fitness hub—even if it sits behind a paywall. Connect+ costs $7 per month or $70 per year. For most people it won’t replace a dietitian, but it’s a convenient way to keep food and training under one roof without juggling extra apps.