When do you log your food?

UnrepentantThinner
UnrepentantThinner Posts: 47
in Getting Started
Do you log it before you eat it? Right after you've eaten? At the end of the day?
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Replies

  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    usually right after i eat it, but I tend to be a routine eater so I already know what I am eating anyways. If I don't, say going out with friends or making something new then I will create the recipe and log beforehand or figure out what I will be eating at the resaurant and log that beforehand. Pre-logging really helps if you tend to have a lot of oopsie moments.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I prelog a couple days in advance actually.

    Prior to that I logged it as I ate it...I would write it down with it's weight and log either as I ate or right after.

    It would be difficult to log a the end of the day unless you wrote it down somewhere...
  • daliyanin
    daliyanin Posts: 93 Member
    Before, after, AND at the end of the day!
    Whenever I can. If I know what I'll be eating the full day I'll try to log before. I can always go back and make adjustments. Most of the time though, I log right after each meal, snack, etc.
    Find whatever works for you. It doesn't matter when as long as you are accurate and consistent.
  • emmamaybear
    emmamaybear Posts: 50 Member
    I plan my entire week ahead. Or at least for a few days. I'm a bit OCD on the food logging though, so you might not want to take advice from me. However, planning everything makes it easier for me to not have to think about everything I eat, because I know what I'll be eating. I do leave room for a few mistakes though (about 200 kcal or something) so I don't feel trapped in my planning.
  • nerdfighter1997
    nerdfighter1997 Posts: 20
    before
  • EdwardGates
    EdwardGates Posts: 3
    I have only been at it about 3 weeks and counting calories was new to me. I ate what I wanted when I wanted. Learning to count calories to meet my goal (1270) was tough and I didn't do well the first week or so but have gotten it down to where I meet my goal on a regular basis now. As my food diary increased in items I was able to figure out my rough calorie intake before I ate and logged them in just after I ate. Now with new items I figure out the calories/portions before I eat to help me stay in line. Doing it as I go helps me keep track of how much I still have available. I don't think it matter WHEN you log as long as you log it and are accurate with it.
  • MzHornedOne
    MzHornedOne Posts: 71 Member
    Usually right after I eat it but sometimes before hand. I like to see how my macros will look before I eat something too.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    I was as a go through day after I eat anything, now I am prelogging my day, seems to be much more easier for me to keep track of totals, sometimes I have to change it but I prefere prelogging :)
  • buzybev
    buzybev Posts: 199 Member
    Before. And I cook/shop for the week on Sunday so I usually plan out and log the week in advance (minus snacks).
  • susie3g
    susie3g Posts: 267
    Before I eat it.
  • CrinkleMarie
    CrinkleMarie Posts: 4 Member
    I typically log my food when I finish a meal, but there are some days I will log ahead if I know what Im having for lunch or dinner.
  • victoire713
    victoire713 Posts: 720 Member
    I log at the end of everyday. Easier for me that way.
  • krennie8
    krennie8 Posts: 301 Member
    sometimes before, sometimes after. Always the same day though.
  • sandyhyde35
    sandyhyde35 Posts: 4
    I pretty much log everything before I eat it. In the morning when I'm making breakfast I log my breakfast and lunch (since it is already packed for work). If I log it I find it easier to stick with it. If not, I'll easily get off track. I normally will log dinner while I'm making dinner so I know exactly how much I can eat that way I can portion it out on my plate and there will not be any desire to overeat. I know how much I have to eat and that's all there is to it. It seems to be working for me so far.
  • jcubedatund
    jcubedatund Posts: 71 Member
    I tend to do better at meeting my goals when I pre-log. My fiancé does not track his food as I do so it helps for me to plan ahead for what we will be having for supper (our only meal together during the day) and then I know how much wiggle room I have for the rest of the day.
  • Nikki31104
    Nikki31104 Posts: 816 Member
    I log right after I eat. But if I am going out to eat (like I did today) I will pick a few options and log it before I order. That way I know which one is lowest in calories.
  • becs3578
    becs3578 Posts: 836 Member
    I log most of my food in the AM. I now bring my lunch and snacks to work with me. So that was I know if I need to make some adjustments... I also have a general idea of how many calories my workouts burn so again.. I know what wiggle room I have.
  • SandraD1424
    SandraD1424 Posts: 81 Member
    All of the above but for me personally I prefer to do it before I eat. And the entire day if I can, at least the 3 main meals. It lets me know in advance if I should make any changes and if I have room for anything extra. I have been averaging about 200 calorie remaining daily.
  • billyswife0516
    billyswife0516 Posts: 55
    I log my whole day at the beginning of each day. I find for me that I stick with within my goals when I do it that way!
  • hastingsmassage
    hastingsmassage Posts: 162 Member
    when preparing food, just before I eat
  • lajuice24
    lajuice24 Posts: 409 Member
    I try to log as I go throughout the day. If I fall behind I do it before I go to bed.,
  • kuderstadt
    kuderstadt Posts: 134 Member
    Usually right after I eat it, or right before if I'm in the middle of preparing it and have a minute…
  • lilmisfit1987
    lilmisfit1987 Posts: 183 Member
    I log right after I've eaten breakfast and plan out everything else I'm going to eat for the day.
  • knitapeace
    knitapeace Posts: 1,013 Member
    During the work week I log breakfast, lunch, and snacks the night before. I make all my decisions in advance and it makes my morning easier...just follow the list I made up the night before, eat the food I bring to work, and avoid visiting the snack machines. I always leave myself about half my daily calories for dinner and evening snack...since my spouse is the dinner chef I don't always know what he's putting on the table that night.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    I make my own breakfast and lunch, and eat the dinner my wife has prepared in the evening.

    I log breakfast and lunch the day before, when I pack them. I make sure to leave a nice buffer for dinner and snacks. I then log dinner right after we eat. I log snacks right before I have them, using up the rest of my daily budget that way, minding my protein macro in the process.
  • marcellomoo
    marcellomoo Posts: 107 Member
    I plan most of my calories out the night before and leave some snack/ wiggle room. If I can't get my pre-planned weight for something on the kitchen scales then I'll adjust it in my log as I'm making it. Snacks and drinks get added as I have them, but knowing how many spare calories I have to work with that day helps me make my choices.
  • Traciaq
    Traciaq Posts: 29
    I log as I am preparing and cooking that way I don't forget those small things that add up if you don't log them
  • mom2kpr
    mom2kpr Posts: 348 Member
    I try to log everything in the morning. If I need to I make adjustments throughout the day. If I eat first, then log, I will go over my calories.
  • tpfoodie
    tpfoodie Posts: 148 Member
    I actually log earlier in the day. I plan what I want to eat and calculate it out. If it's too many points (I'm on Weight Watchers) then I substitute or opt for something else
  • MissKim78
    MissKim78 Posts: 426 Member
    I usually log when I eat....but if I know what I will be having I will log it before so I don't forget and to help plan for the rest of the day.

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