Keeping Track of Your Eating Habits!

Self monitoring plays a critical role in any weight management program. An accurate Food Diary is an excellent tool at your disposal. You should chart your food and fluid intake, record when you eat and what you ate. Also track the frequency and duration of your physical activity.

How can you use your food and activity diary?

Try these ideas:

~ Plan your day. Each morning. write down what you plan to eat that day to develop a “food roadmap.” As you eat each item listed, place a checkmark next to it to indicate you’ve consumed it. Used as a daily planner, your Food Diary will keep you from straying off course.

~ Monitor your intake. Jot down what you eat either right before or right after your meal or snack. Review your Food Diary to make sure you're eating a balanced diet. If you notice you’re not meeting all your Food Group requirements, the dairy will help you get hack on track.

~ Keep score. In addition to monitoring your food intake, use the diary to keep track of your fluid intake and daily exercise.

~ Gauge your mood/food connection. Add a new dimension to your meal plans by using them to keep track of your mood/food connections. When you experience emotional eating (whether you're tired, tense, sad, happy. etc.), note your mood next to the food item to help you recognize triggers for emotional eating.