Maintaining a food journal can help you to keep track of what you eat, your total calorie count, and your nutritional needs. You may also find it helps to keep you accountable and allows you to stick to your diet. If your weight loss stalls, a food journal can help you to solve this dilemma. Log your food intake in a notebook or diary, online, or using your smart phone.
Track Calories
A food diary provides you with the ability to track your daily caloric intake. Use calorie count charts in books or online to note calories on a handwritten food diary or opt to simply input foods into a program that provides you with nutritional information. You may find that you are consuming too many or too few daily calories for effective weight loss or maintenance. According to Jack Hollis, Ph.D., of Kaiser Permanente Northwest's Center for Health Research in the August issue of the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine," the act of tracking food eaten leads to lower calorie intake.
Recognize Eating Patterns
Include when you ate and how you felt at the time in your food journal. This can help you become aware of and correct patterns of emotional eating, according to 3FatChicks.com. A diet journal can help you to recognize when you eat or are apt to snack or binge. You may also realize that you're skipping meals or not eating frequently enough.
Track your Progress
Over time, your food journal can help you to see the positive changes you've made in your diet and recognize progress toward goals, recommends WeightLossMoms.com. Use your diary to recognize successes with better food choices and healthier eating habits. If you are struggling with a weight loss plateau, this can provide you with motivation and positive feedback.
Share Information
Share your food diary with your health care provider if you are discussing issues of weight or health, suggests WeightLossMoms.com. This can be especially helpful if you have medical conditions affected by diet, like diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease. If you are struggling with weight loss, a food diary may help your doctor to recognize patterns or suggests appropriate tests.
Member Comments