Daily Food Diary Logging

MsJayeKaye
MsJayeKaye Posts: 155 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Question: Does it help you to log everything you plan to eat at the beginning of the day or add as you eat throughout the day? I'm noticing some of my pals complete their food diaries early in the morning. I log as I go throughout the day. How do you do it? Any particular reason for your preference?
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Replies

  • BeckySue1977
    BeckySue1977 Posts: 91 Member
    It's really a matter of personal preference. Do what works for you!

    I use both methods. I find that when I pack my lunch and snacks for the day, I log them all when I am packing them up in the morning. This gives me a good idea of where I stand throughout the day and makes it easier for me to either accept a piece of banana bread a co-worker brought in, or politely decline because I know I'm already tight on calories for the day.
    On days I don't pack lunch/snacks, I have no choice but to log as I go.

    Again, do what works best for you!
  • sannsk
    sannsk Posts: 203 Member
    Just do it as you like. There is no 'best way'. I like knowing the macros I'm going to have from regular meals beforehand, it makes it easier for me to determine what snack/midmeal to take (high protein, high fiber, ...)
    It may help you, just try it out and choose whatever works best for ya!
  • hdjjones
    hdjjones Posts: 130 Member
    Ditto that.
  • redredy9
    redredy9 Posts: 706 Member
    On workdays I usually bring my lunch or have a plan and I will enter it all in. For me it helps. I know how much I will have left for dinner and whether or not I need to add in extra protein.

    Most importantly though - it helps me keep room for DESSERT! :love: :love: :love: :love:
  • deb3129
    deb3129 Posts: 1,294 Member
    For me, it helps to put it all in ahead of time. Then I know if i have calories left, and I can try to add in a little extra during the day if I need
  • stephenscitymom
    stephenscitymom Posts: 2 Member
    I fill in my diary when I get to work, so I've had breakfast, and packed lunch, and predict dinner, so I know where I am. If the dinner changed, then I adjust my plans according to what is left.
  • LKG31
    LKG31 Posts: 92 Member
    I usually pack my lunch and have dinner planned before I leave for work, so I will log all of it in the morning just so I know where I am at calorie, protein, carb, etc. wise for the day. This helps me determine what I may/may not have for a snack. It also helps me stick to the plan too, not deterring from the good stuff I have planned for the day :)
  • pawoodhull
    pawoodhull Posts: 1,759 Member
    During the work week (Mon-Fri for me) I log when I get to work what I've brought for the day (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack) and my coffee from home and here at work. Then I know what I have left for dinner and can eat acordingly when I get home at night. I log on at home after dinner to determine if I need to add one more snack to get to my minimum calories and to log my exercise. Sometimes I will log my intended exercise in the morning because it inspires me to actually do it if my MFP friends are seeing it posted.

    Weekends are different and I usually log in closer to the dinner hour. But then I tend to eat less food and less often on the weekends. So running over calories isn't usually an issue.

    So yes, I think it helps to log in the beginning of the day with a food plan for the day. Like I said, I eat better during the week and I know it's because of bringing my food to work with me and logging everything at the start of the day.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I've always logged after I eat until recently. I recently lowered my calories so I've tried to log in advance to make sure I don't overeat until I get used to the lower amount. But it's not working out so well, because I often end up changing my mind on what I want for dinner by the time evening rolls around. I'm just not much of a planner.
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    When possible, I try to log everything at the beginning of my work day. Then, not only do I make sure I've logged my calories, but I know if I have any "fun room" where I don't need to feel TOO bad about visiting the snack bar. It's also helped out when I suddenly found myself obligated to go out ot lunch / dinner.

    Sometimes, usally on the weekends where I don't have my menu planned out in advance, I will log as I go. The only challenge with that is remembering to log the calories before I'm distracted by something else.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    On workdays I usually bring my lunch or have a plan and I will enter it all in. For me it helps. I know how much I will have left for dinner and whether or not I need to add in extra protein.

    Most importantly though - it helps me keep room for DESSERT! :love: :love: :love: :love:

    This!! And on the weekends I usually log as I go.
  • kwest_4_fitness
    kwest_4_fitness Posts: 820 Member
    I pre-log the day before because I'm a huge fan of pre-planning. I can change my log if something comes up, but for the most part I pre-plan to resist the temptation of deviating from the plan. :happy:
  • TravelDog14
    TravelDog14 Posts: 317 Member
    I do a bit of both.
    For example I've pre-logged 98% of what I'll eat today, but most days I log as I go along.

    Both work for me.
  • loserbaby84
    loserbaby84 Posts: 241 Member
    I pre-log. Gives me control and since I'm out of the house at 6am and not home until 10pm I need to have an attack plan every day :)

    Definitely a personal preference and what works best for you :)

    Cheers!
  • spippin73
    spippin73 Posts: 60
    Add as you go throughout the day. You can then make adjustments when necessary and you won't get in the habit of skipping foods you eat. Just my thoughts.
  • tara_seay
    tara_seay Posts: 171 Member
    If I know FOR A FACT what I am eating, and not going to change my mind - I will pre-log. BUT, I tend to log as I go -- and sometimes I will log my dinner first (if I am cooking) so I will know how to adjust throughout the day.

    You'll find what works for you - and whatever works for YOU - stick with it. There are plenty of people who will try to "persuade" you to do things their way because it works for them - but if you find something that works for you - then keep doing that!
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,285 Member
    Pre logging definitely helps! That way, I can change things out if I need to..change foods, portion sizes, or just remove them altogether if I feel the need. Once its eaten, you cant take it back. :)
  • vvanm
    vvanm Posts: 157
    I like to log in my favorite snacks for the day. Then if I start going over calories, I delete some since they are expendable. Everything else I log in after every meal because if I log it in first I don't feel like having it and have to redo the entry.
  • kalafowler
    kalafowler Posts: 9
    I log throughout the day. It helps me make healthier choices knowing I have to log it for my friends to see.
  • branson101
    branson101 Posts: 173 Member
    I log breakfast and lunch when I get to work because I have them packed in my bag already. Dinner and snacks I log as I eat because those are rarely planned out ahead of time. I also take weekends on an as I go basis.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I log as I go, usually as I'm eating, too. When hubby and I can firmly agree on our shared meal, I'll log that early.
  • melsmith612
    melsmith612 Posts: 727 Member
    If I know what I'll be eating ahead of time, I log it once I know and as soon as I have time so I don't forget the portions I've already measured out or am planning on. Otherwise I typically do snacks and water as I go.
  • HoneyIShrunktheMom
    HoneyIShrunktheMom Posts: 76
    If I went with the "log as I go" approach, I would grab junk most of the time. It's not something I'm proud of but the reality is, I know myself, and I know myself well AND I have learned what it takes for me to succeed. Planning my day gives me something to use as a guideline. I don't always stick to it to the T; I may substitute little things here and there but usually what I plan for is what I eat. Often times I will leave 200-300 calories for the end of the day and allow myself a little "splurge", but sometimes I know I'm craving XXX and go ahead plan that for my night time snack.
  • MsJayeKaye
    MsJayeKaye Posts: 155 Member
    Thanks to you all for your comments. It helps to know what others are doing that's working for them. I wasn't much of a pre-planner but I'm getting better at it. I may try logging in advance next week to see how closely I can stick to it. I like that MFP gives us the option to change or delete food items if necessary. Have a great day all!
  • olerolls
    olerolls Posts: 70 Member
    I agree that what matters most is that it works for you, not what the specifics are. I know that I cannot pre-plan. I would feel overly restricted and too much like I was on a diet, rather than living a new lifestyle. For me, it's totally mental. I need to retrain myself to make good choices throughout day when I'm faced with them, rather than relying on choices I've already made for myself. Otherwise, I know that I'm would regain down the line when I finally hit my goal and go into a maintenance mode with less structure around food. I need to know I can trust myself to make good choices on the fly. To train myself to do that permanently, not just when I'm focused on losing, I need to be making those choices all day, every day. For me, that means no preplanning. Make sense?

    But again, that's all based on ME and what I know about myself. Everyone should make their choices based on their own strengths and weaknesses.
  • pamperedlinny
    pamperedlinny Posts: 1,679 Member
    both

    I log in the morning before leaving for work what I plan to eat or what I'm taking with me for breakfast, lunch, etc.
    I keep the webpage pulled up and minimized at my desk and alter as needed through the day.

    I never finalize my diary until right before bed though. I change it too much to do that too early.
  • DMW914
    DMW914 Posts: 368 Member
    Lately, I've been doing this since I'm watching my carb & sodium intake due to me & my FH high blood pressure issue. Normally, I was doing it as I went along. Now our lunch consist of low carb meals & desserts that've been prepared over the weekend due to our work schedule. We get home too late & suffered from eating after 9pm then going straight to bed (which may have added to our weight issues). So, I've been trying to switch things up by being more predictable with what we eat & I add everything earlier on so if/when I'm over I simply don't eat it or measure out an appropriate amount and save the rest for another day. Now that I know how much food and what order I'm gon' eat it I plug it into my Food Diary and complete the goal for the day. My menu is limited for now so this is also helping keep me keep track of my goals. I hope this made sense.
  • MsJayeKaye
    MsJayeKaye Posts: 155 Member
    I agree that what matters most is that it works for you, not what the specifics are. I know that I cannot pre-plan. I would feel overly restricted and too much like I was on a diet, rather than living a new lifestyle. For me, it's totally mental. I need to retrain myself to make good choices throughout day when I'm faced with them, rather than relying on choices I've already made for myself. Otherwise, I know that I'm would regain down the line when I finally hit my goal and go into a maintenance mode with less structure around food. I need to know I can trust myself to make good choices on the fly. To train myself to do that permanently, not just when I'm focused on losing, I need to be making those choices all day, every day. For me, that means no preplanning. Make sense?

    But again, that's all based on ME and what I know about myself. Everyone should make their choices based on their own strengths and weaknesses.

    This sounds like me to a tee! Thanks for the post.
  • MsJayeKaye
    MsJayeKaye Posts: 155 Member
    Lately, I've been doing this since I'm watching my carb & sodium intake due to me & my FH high blood pressure issue. Normally, I was doing it as I went along. Now our lunch consist of low carb meals & desserts that've been prepared over the weekend due to our work schedule. We get home too late & suffered from eating after 9pm then going straight to bed (which may have added to our weight issues). So, I've been trying to switch things up by being more predictable with what we eat & I add everything earlier on so if/when I'm over I simply don't eat it or measure out an appropriate amount and save the rest for another day. Now that I know how much food and what order I'm gon' eat it I plug it into my Food Diary and complete the goal for the day. My menu is limited for now so this is also helping keep me keep track of my goals. I hope this made sense.

    Makes perfect sense to me. I see on your diary that you do homemade recipes for your entrees and desserts. Care to share?
  • miss_ally08
    miss_ally08 Posts: 167 Member
    I usually log as I go but on days I have school and have to stay the whole day, I try to pre-log it. But most of the time, I log right after I consume the meal or make it so its there and I don't forget :) I have some MFP friends that pre-log and I think thats great!

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