A food diary is a daily record of a person’s eating habits over a period of time. A food diary may include a section for noting any specific foods and how they made a person feel, such as whether they caused acid reflux, indigestion, or other problems. One of the most frequently recommended items for dieters is a food diary.
The foods that are listed in a food diary are crucial. Following that, subsequent columns record the size of the portion and the estimated number of calories in that portion. Of course, because most people do not precisely weigh their foods, there will be minor discrepancies between what is recorded in the food diary and what is actually consumed.
Once adequate records have been kept, it will be possible to compare caloric intake from week to week. This is critical when dieting because, despite all the fad diets out there, determining how many calories were consumed remains the most important factor. A comparison of each week, month, and possibly year can aid dieters in ensuring they are on track.
Some people keep a food diary and record their weight at least once a week. While this is a personal choice that is neither right nor wrong, many dietitians advise against obsessing over weight unless there are serious health concerns. This is because if a week does not go as planned, it is easy to become discouraged. At the end of the day, the most important measurement is calories.
Many people are hesitant to keep a food journal because they believe it takes too much time. There are, however, a number of programs available to assist those who feel this way. Food diaries are available for purchase, or templates can be printed from a word processing program. Some food diaries come in the form of interactive spread sheets, which can help keep things very organized and even handle all of the math for the user.
It may not be necessary to keep a food diary in order to lose weight, but dietitians say it can be a very useful tool. Those who are trying to lose weight should think about the advantages of keeping a food diary and try it out for a month. No food diary, on the other hand, should deter anyone from dieting. It’s possible that for some people, other methods are more effective.