Diet Logs

Keeping a diet log can be an extremely powerful tool, and it's definitely not just for those attempting weight loss.  Anyone wanting to know more about what they're eating, improve their nutrient content, address specific symptoms or chronic conditions or optimize exercise performance can greatly benefit from maintaining a food journal.

At its simplest, a log can be just a simple list of foods eaten.   That alone can give us valuable information.   Even better is a detailed list where quantities are measured or at least estimated. The more specifics you include, the more data we have to make beneficial changes.

In the past, maintaining elaborate food journals and extracting details on nutrient intake was time consuming.  Now, with websites and smart phones, things are much simpler.   In addition to keeping food journals, sites also help track exercise, send automatic reminders about health goals, and provide online communities, recipes, and nutritional information.

While there are a multitude of sites, below are a few that either I've used or have been recommended to me by colleagues.   Some have premium features that cost money, though I think the free versions are generally just fine.   Do remember, that such sites are supported by advertising which may or may not be beneficial to you.  

• www.fatsecret.com with companion Calorie Counter App – I have used this one personally and choose it because they had an Android app available.   I tracked everything I ate for 3 months last summer, using only my phone to input data.  I found it easy to use without taking much time at all.   The website has some additional online community features which I didn't use.
• www.sparkpeople.com – Recommended to me by a weight specialist physician.   Able to track diet easily as well as a wealth of different nutrients.   Seems to have more options for various online communities and goal setting.   I didn't see an obvious companion phone app.
• www.fitday.com – Also recommended by weight specialist physican.   Easy to sign up and had simple diet entry interface on the web.  Has companion iPhone app.

I'm sure there are dozens more so if you are using one you like a lot let me know and I'll pass it on to other patients.   There are easy ways to print out data or forward it onto me.  For whatever reason you might choose to keep track, it's primarily useful if we review it and then act upon that data to make positive changes.   I can work with you or help you get setup with dieticians, nutritionists, or weight specialists to provide even more information.