Tracking Your Food Intake
March 17, 2009 by Linette Gerlach
Filed under Recipes
Have you ever tracked or journaled your food intake? I’ve been tracking my food intake for the last 4 months, and it’s made a huge difference in what I eat and how much I eat. And yes, I’ve lost some weight and feel better.
Image via stockxpert.com
What do I track? I try to track everything I eat. Even if it’s just a bite, because little bites of this and that can add up through the day. That’s what I discovered through journaling, I tend to “graze” some days, all day long.
I also write down how many calories are in the foods, I’m eating if I know. I put a star beside my fruits and vegetables so I can try to get enough of those in each day.
I journal how I’m feeling that day. I thought stress was a big contributor to my snacking, so I started writing down how I was feeling each day. Then I took a look at my feelings in relation to what I was eating. I was right, I’m very much a stress or emotional eater.
I plan to keep tracking my food consumption. It’s a new habit I’ve built into my day. It only takes a few minutes, but the results have definitely been worth it.
I would love to hear from anyone else out there who’s tracking what they eat. How is it working for you? Has it helped you control what you eat?
I used to do this. I did it for an entire year actually (I was a fitness competitor). It was a great exercise to see how much you actually consume. I gained so much knowledge about food that I no longer need to look at lables or ingredient lists, and I make the right choices.
I don’t keep a food journal, but I have been thinking about it recently and not got round to it. I do plan my meals every week though and have found that it has made me think about what i’m eating and I don’t seem to waste nearly as much food. I am vaguely trying to eat moe healthily so maybe its time to start!
Tracking food really helps. Doing it a computer makes it easier for me. For a great site, try FITDAY . COM It’s amazing how knowing your fat / carb / protein ratios can really help.
I kept a food journal for a couple of years, and like you, I found that it helped me to eat more healthfully plus lose a few pounds. Being aware of what I was using to fuel and nourish my body became so automatic that I stopped the food journaling and started an exercise journal. I’m still working on that one. LOL.