How to Keep a Food Log

Really think about what you want to accomplish before you start keeping a food log. Once you have figured out why you want to track what you eat, write it down. Read on to learn how to keep a food log.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Don’t lose track of why you are keeping a log or you will give up. In order for a log to be effective, you need to continue it for a month and you need the log to have a purpose. The data needs to be easy to track for trends so that you aren’t just looking at what you ate, but rather at what it is doing for you.
2. Start by making columns with the following headers: Food or Drink--write down everything down to the mayonnaise and type of bread or the size of the cup. Quantity-- write down the estimate weight or measurement. Caloric Value--if you can’t ascertain this from a label, go online and find out the caloric value, there are plenty of websites available. Time--What was the time of day, be sure to write in a.m. or p.m. Where--fast food in the car? Dinner at the table? Wherever you were write it down. With Whom--your sister, best friend, a large group or alone. You will find this category very interesting when you break down the information. For the column, What I Wad Doing, write down activities such as watching TV, driving in the car or working. This has a big effect on what you eat and when. How I Feel--This is a good place to do some self-reflection and is probably the number one reason you may fail at this task. No one wants to look too deep at why they are sabotaging themselves and if that happens more than the high points it is easy to get dissuaded. Don’t allow yourself that option. Decide before you start you will not allow that to happen.
3. Don’t forget to write down anything. Don’t change your patterns. Be honest. You are the only one that will be hurt by avoiding your promise to yourself to do this. Be precise. Count out how many chips before you eat them, don’t just write sauce, put how much and what kind.
4. Once you have completed your log you can easily notice trends and begin changing behavior patterns that put you in the path of unhealthy eating. If the log is not enough motivation for you to change your habits, take it to a trainer at your local gym and have a heart to heart with him. Get some advice and come out of this exercise healthier because of it.