A food diary or log can help you along your journey in many different ways.

  1. It is a great way to increase your awareness of your current eating habits.
  2. It provides accountability.
  3. It is a form of support that helps to keep you focused on your plan.
  4. It can be used as a tool to assess how you eat and why you eat the way that you do.
  5. It will help reinforce good and healthy eating habits.

Together with your coach you will use your food log to identify lapses, target issues and find solutions. Your coach will also help you evaluate your overall nutritional intake. 

When using your log you will document the food item, the portion size, the method of preparation, and how you felt after consuming the meal. 

Here are some tips for keeping a food log:

  • Always be honest and try to document all foods and liquids- this is very important as we assess your intake and make recommendations.
  • Write down what you eat immediately after eating- this will help with accuracy and it will also help you stay on track.
  • Try to give your best estimate for serving size. Instead of writing “bowl of cereal” give your coach your best guess for the amount. You can record ~1 cup or compare it to an everyday item like about the size of a tennis ball or a deck of cards. 
  • Include as much detail as possible about the type of food and any brand names.
  • Include your emotional status.  Use a number scale for mood or just a simple smiley face scale to indicate how you are feeling at that time and during that meal. 
  • Another option during our smart phone era, simply snap a shot of your plate to keep record