Do you track before or after you eat?

skinnybiotch75

I track my food before I eat as much as possible. That way I know if I decide I want to eat something extra I know what calories I have left to work with. It also keeps me from going over my daily limit too.

plzlbsbegone

I Pack a lunch everyday, so I eat breakfast, then log that, and log what I brought for lunch. I also log any snacks during the day, after I eat them ( I usually pack healthy ones with my lunch, some days I get to them, some days I don't so I log them only after I have eaten them). Then when I get home, I check what I have left for calories, and log what I plan to eat for dinner to see if it "fits". Then at the end of the night, I will log a snack after I have eaten it if I have enough cals left. So, therefore, I am alllllll over the place!

pinkhu13

Before. A lot of times I'll track days ahead. I might change some things around but at least I have a plan.

mrshoneybear1014

It depends. If I am having dinner at home, I ask my mom to try and measure things so I can figure out my calories. Then if it is a big dinner I will adjust my lunch. That is usually the weekends. If i know I am going out to eat, I try to look up the nutrition information before so I know what I should order. If there isn't any, I will have a lighter day because my calories will be relatively unknown. If I am bringing all my food to law school with me, like a salad and sandwich, I don't bother to log it until after because the day is already all planned out.

vicmonster

I do both. It helps me to plan around my biggest meal, especially if I'm going out to eat.

Debbe2

I log before unless it's something I've had many times and know I'll be under if I eat it. Otherwise, occasionally after... but I always log everything.

RunAmock

Holy cow. I just posted almost this exact same topic. LOL I usually track after the fact but was wondering if perhaps logging it in advance might help me stick to a tighter regimen.

Florawanda

I track before, then go back and make changes if I go off plan. It helps me to have a clear plan and see what im eating and like you, I can make adjustments as needed.

Exactly, me too... it really does help to make adjustments when what you are planning to eat comes to too much - just by having a slightly smaller portion, or changing from mashed potato to a baked potato, can bring you in under calorie goal.

gecho

Since I pack my lunch and snacks, I log my breakfast, lunch and snacks before I eat them. I like it since that way I know exactly how many calories I have for dinner and can decide what to eat from there.

me 2

robinogue

If I've pre-planned my meals I will go ahead and log them. Otherwise I log as I'm eating.

MystiqueASAP

I always track before. This way, I know exactly what my nutrients are/are not. Also, this helps if I want to allow for unexpected changes.

ShawnaCurley

I do it after

Weighinginwithmy02

I log before I eat some things. Planning helps me make better decisions throughout the day so it just makes sense to also log my planned food all at once in the morning so I can see where I am for those unexpected treats (birthday's, etc).

worej

I do a combo. I often don't track until after, but if I know something challenging is coming up or if I had an extra snack that might make me go over, I track ahead of time. Most of the time, though, I'm in a pretty solid routine that will not send me over, and I can just enter everything at night.

cyclerjenn

When I create my meal plan for the week I add to my food tracker. This way I know I am getting the right amount of food every day. Then When I make my lunch for work, I look at my food tracker to see what I need to pack. I make adjustments as needed through the week.

cupcakestarz

Before and I make sure I stick to it:)

rebelontherun

I've been tracking after I eat for quite a while now, and I feel like tracking before eating works a lot better. That way I can see exactly what I'm eating, how many calories, and can adjust my serving size accordingly.

heidiwebs

I usually log most of my day before lunch time. By then, I know what my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day will be. It helps me plan dinner and stay within (or hopefully below!) my calories for the day. It really helps show if your protein or fiber will be too low as well.

Donkeydriver

I just decided that I need to log after work... which means I will see what I can have for dinner/snack and workout left... right now, I realize I better workout a little longer than I first thought.... I think this may help me, I used to log at the end of day, but sometimes I'm just too tired, or don't get to it....

sc1572

Primarily log before, but sometimes after if things change!

sc1572

Primarily log before, but sometimes after if things change! I normally plan out my meals for the week.

onequirkygirl

I feel the same way about tracking as I do about going to see a movie. If somebody asks me to go to the movies in two weeks, HELL no. But if it's like "Hey let's go see a MOVIE!" ....Why certainly.

Well, I track while I'm eating, hahaha.....it helps me eat slower. *shrugs*

(I also scan the bar codes for everything. It's so much fun!)

Libby81

In the morning, I fill out the whole day. I'm aiming for 40% carbs: 30% fat: 30% protein so this allows me to fiddle with the food weights to get it close. When i deviate from the plan, I go back and modify. Sounds a little tedious but I enjoy it.

I do this too. My macros are set up the same. If I log it beforehand I can adjust anything that needs it, plus I don't have to remember what I ate all day and I just have to add in drinks and deviations off plan :ohwell:

sjebert

It depends, I try to log before I eat, or at the very least find out the calories for a serving size and try to eat accordingly. I try to never go into a meal not knowing how much I can or should eat, If I don't know there is a very good chance that I will eat too much and go over my calorie limits.

New_Atti2ude

BOTH, BUT I PREFER TO DO IT BEFORE BECAUSE I WON'T GO OVER OR DECIDE TO NOT EAT IT OR WHATEVER. I HAVE WALKED THE POST OF SHAME AND ADDED AFTER. I'M HUMAN, BUT HONEST WITH MYSELF.

Rach_nutty_fruit_cake

Sometimes I log before, sometimes after all depends on what sort of day I have ahead of me



Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods

sdrawkcabynot

I usually log my food before and sometimes during...

^^^ I do this... if I am cooking something at home - i will scan bar-codes as i go.

Gwenski

I log my breakfast as I eat it or sometimes after (it's always the same)
My lunch I log when I get home from work.
I make sure my breakfast, lunch and any snacks I've had are logged before dinner.
I then log what I plan to eat for supper before eating supper. That way, if I have to adjust an amount I can do so.
It gives me a good idea if I have been low or high on something in the day, and I can adjust things if I'd like to have a dessert or snack in the evening.

Trishajac

I usually log my food before and sometimes during...

^^^ I do this... if I am cooking something at home - i will scan bar-codes as i go.

How are you scanning bar codes? thanks...

ToughMudderAddict

I LOVE the scanner on the phone.. I use that as I am going about my day and before I stick food in my mouth. It helps me avoid that "OH ****! I didn't know that's how unhealthy that was.." feeling..