Keeping a Food Journal
Keeping a Food Journal
How many calories do I need?
How many calories do I burn?
How many calories are in food?
Use MyPyramid Tracker to help you. It allows you to track foods eaten, physical activities, cups of fruits & veggies consumed and compares energy in versus energy out.
Use our Portion Primer for mental measuring cups and spoons.
We make well over 250 food-related decisions a day—most of which we don’t even think about. A food journal is a terrific way to get back in touch. Are you hungry? Or is something else making you turn to food? In fact, a journal is one of the single best weight management tools around. You can use an online food diary, like the one mentioned above, or just a plain paper notebook.
Jotting things down for a few days can help you get to know the food amounts that are right for you. And when you get off track—starting back up with the food journal can help you get back into eating when you’re actually hungry.
Things to remember about your food journal
- Use it every day for best results.
- As soon as you’re finished eating, write it down.
- Remember, everything counts—even extra nibbles. Use the Portion Primer to help estimate amounts eaten.
- Keep track for at least a couple of weekdays, plus one weekend day, to get a balanced perspective of how many calories you’re taking in.
