Pre-logging Food Diaries

SomeoneSomeplace · October 2012

I always prelog at least BEFORE I eat a meal and sometimes the day before. I try and plan out my meals in advance based on what I have in fridge and stuff and if I go out to dinner I like to check on menu before I go to log the amount of calories I'll probably eat to see how much I need to burn off and what my best options are

The way I see it there isn't much of a point to logging AFTER because you already ate it and can't change it if it makes you go way over so I do it before I've saved myself from eating a lot of things I've assumed were low cal but ended up being super high cal & switched them out for something healthier

sharleengc · October 2012

As long as I only prelog a day or 2, I stick to it pretty exact...I may change serving sizes based on if I actually have snacks. Some days I'm fine without snacks and sometimes I need them. I usually prelog main meals and use the "leftovers" for snacks...if I don't eat snacks, I can have a larger lunch/dinner portion.

If I try to log a whole week or more than a few days at once, I don't always stick to it because things change or I don't feel like it. A day or two and I'm pretty consistent.

SafioraLinnea · October 2012

I prelog my food in the morning about half the time, and then if my choices change, I adjust them in the evening. I personally don't really care if I stick to my intentions, as long as my changes result in similar macro and calorie content.

Michellereducf · October 2012

Sometimes yes so I don't end up going over.

irisheyez718 · October 2012

I pre-log mine as much as I can. Most of tomorrow is pre-logged already. It helps me see where I might fall short on my macros. Sometimes I make small changes, but usually I stick to it.

Nerdybreisawesome · October 2012

I do it every morning.

cncrafton · October 2012

I pre-log lunch and dinner a few days in advance, sometimes a week, but allow myself to swap meals if I'm not feeling it that day. It definitely helps me to know how many calories I have for snacking and it keeps me from going over, for sure.

ningggsm · October 2012

My question is, do many of you actually end up eating what you've entered? And do you find it easier to have all of this planned out beforehand, than deciding what you're eating at every meal right then and there?

I pre-log virtually every weekday.

It's MUCH easier for me this way. We do our menu planning and shopping Sunday mornings. I create all the recipes in MFP and see how the carb/protein/sodium etc balances out. Based on that I set up my week. If I am having a higher carb, lower protein dinner, I know to structure my lunch appropriately so I hit my macros. If a certain meal is very high calorie, I know to go lighter on my snacks.

I sometimes deviate from my plan but not typically. In fact, pre-logging helps me stay on track. It's easier to say "no" to a cookie at work if I know what I'm having for dinner and treats that day and I know the cookie won't fit.

This is great. Thank you.

I'll try pre-logging a day or two in advance and see how it goes from there.
Congrats on your weightloss btw! What an amazing job.

You look wonderful!

NCISFanatic01 · October 2012

How many of you do this? I think it's interesting when I see others pre-logging their meals and snacks in, I guess it does give you an idea of what your calorie intake will be for that day. My question is, do many of you actually end up eating what you've entered? And do you find it easier to have all of this planned out beforehand, than deciding what you're eating at every meal right then and there?

I do it sometimes. I set up weekly menus for shopping purposes, and unless I change it up a little and make the meals on different days then originally scheduled I usually have the right meals down each day

cardozojoann · October 2012

I do!!!!! I love to preplan my meals so I don't get off track. It helps me out alot

skyeliz525 · October 2012

I try to pre-log at least my breakfast and my lunch. I generally find that I tend to follow it though sometimes I'll bring one or two items and may move them around or eat less so I'll modify the quantities at work. It works for me which is nice. Dinner...that's more a fly by the pants sorta deal. I never know what I'm planning on eating.

This is me exactly! ^^^^

jensweighingin · October 2012

I plan my meals and log when I can. I usually prelog my days. Some times I change out my snacks, but most of my snacks are about the same amount of calories. I will go off plan if something comes up--dinner out with the girls or such. For now, I will have tomorrow's breakfast and lunch and snacks logged next, but dinner will be a ? as I'm going to my sister-in-law's for dinner!

Alphawolf02 · October 2012

I love being able to pre-log, and I usually stick to it. It makes me feel more in control of my day and my diet when I do that.

gadenni34 · October 2012

I often pre-log but only for the day. I normally don't go past that unless I have a meal out planned and I want to just make the decisions on what I am eating ahead of time.

I am starting NROLFW myself and planning my day helps me to make sure I am on track for my protein, fat and carbs seem to balance out as long as I am getting my protein in.

I log exercise in the am sometimes too but only because I *earn* a set amount of calories following the NROLFW plan so I can log on a day when I know I am going to be going to the gym.

Hi. What's NROLFW? Havn't heard of it. :P

New Rules of Lifting for Women.

and in response to do I stick to it, part of your OP, yes. it helps me tweak the day if anything changes or I don't eat as much as I had planned or more...then I can just delete random small bits or increase a shake or something. I really find it helpful.

coolraul07 · October 2012

I'm fortunate in the fact that my workplace cafe has detailed nutritional information (NI) for >90% of the food they serve. Their weekly menu is web-accessible and the vast majority of their menu's NI is already in MFP's database, so I can easily pre-populate my desired lunch choices for the week.
At home and elsewhere, at a minimum I will pre-log the meal that I'm preparing to eat. The only exceptions are when I'm out-and-about away from my laptop/tablet and can't wait until I get home before eating.

I focus on calories, fat, sodium, potassium, protein, and fiber. I strike to stay below the levels of the first 3 and to meet/exceed the levels of the last three. Interestingly enough, my biggest trouble areas are protein and fiber. I would've thought calories or fat but I rarely come close. Sometime I find myself low on protein and/or fiber after dinner and make myself eat some more to hit those minimums. It's especially tricky when I exercise because the extra burn will actually increase the minimums for those numbers! I remember one day that I actually boiled and ate 2 frozen b/s chicken breasts at 11pm because I was 50g short on protein after a late treadmill workout! Nowadays I have bars and powders to make up huge deficits in fiber and protein, but always strive to reach them naturally. I also use low sodium V8 juice for a quick potassium boost; just tonight I had to drink 16 oz to catch-up.

Pre-logging has helped me better plan my day and avoid the last minute "OMG, I've only had 5g of fiber today!" at 11:45pm. It also helps me to eat anything I want because I have to reconcile the numbers ahead of time. Sure I can eat the fried fast-food chicken breast, but that'll be 60% of my sodium DV by itself so I'll need to double my intake of fresh produce to keep sodium low for the rest of the day. That also means that the slice of caramel cake with ice cream will have to wait 2 days, yadda yadda.

jerbear1962 · October 2012

I pre log then print it and hang it on the fridge door. I stick to it about 99% of the time. I usually only change my menu if something comes up.

Mandino788 · October 2012

I pre-log on work days since I eat lunch and dinner there. I like to log it as I pack my food so I can be sure that I'm within my calorie goal.

MizzDoc · October 2012

I have started to pre-log my breakfast and mid morning meals. I was doing this some time ago, then stopped for some reason. I have started back again because 1) it helps me to know what my first meals of the day will be, 2) it helps me plan half of my caloric intake for the day, and 3) since these meals are all pre-workout, I can gauge how much of a burn I will need to complete my nutrition goals for the day. It really does work for me and keeps me from getting side tracked with impulse food eating.

I usually do not pre-log on the weekends though. My schedule is just to spastic come Saturday and Sunday, lol.

kdeaux1959 · October 2012

when I can, i do pre-log meals. Really it is a lot like managing a budget... it is easier to stay on track if you know what you are going to spend BEFORE you go to the store. Sometimes, what I think is a good meal is actually well over what I first thought (not so much any more since I am on month 10 of this journey); however, if I pre-log it, I know BEFORE I consume the calories that I need to make an adjustment... You can always change it if you find it is not so accurate or you have to change your plans

Laddiegirl · October 2012

During weekdays I pre log breakfast, lunch and day snack because they are definite. On Sunday when I grocery shop I pick out my menu for breakfast, lunch and midday snack for the week and since I'm on a budget, that is definite and doesn't change. I also roughly plan out dinner, like I'll buy a big package of chicken with the idea of making it a certain way and pairing it with X and making enough for that to last 2-3 days of the week, then I'll make the rest of the chicken paired with Y for the remaining days of the workweek. I have no problem eating leftovers and I prepare food just for myself so its easier and better for my budget if I do that.

Weekends are a complete toss up because I spend them with my boyfriend and we might cook for us all weekend, or we might do a lot of eating out or go to a gathering with friends or family or whatever so I log those days as they happen.

SWilkins75 · October 2012

I pre log and half the time I get around to eating it at all

sweettalkinggirl · October 2012

I occasionally pre-log my meals. I usually pre log meals like Breakfast and Lunch during the week as I try and get as much of it prepared (the fruit, making the sandwich etc) the night before so I don't have to rush as much before work. I also pre-log if I know I am eating out (esp if I can view the menu online) so that I have an idea what what to order, how many calories I have left for other meals and also it helps me determine how much exercise I will do for the day

RolandChandler · October 2012

Pre-logging suggests a higer level of organisation, which relates to a higher level of motivation. Almost certainly people who have this level of motivation and organisation will accomplish their goals as long as they stay ontrack.

Well Done!

Roland Chandler (Personal Trainer):laugh:

babeinthemoon · October 2012

If I know I'm going to have a very busy day ahead of time, I'll plan out the next day. Most of the time though, I get to lunch, and plan out my last snack and dinner for that day.

I have my plan and I work my plan... but that doesn't mean that it is set in stone. I've made changes at the last minute a lot.. especially when eating out is concerned.

shorty35565 · October 2012

I prelog everything & I eat exactly what I've planned. It's a very rare occasion that I don't stick to the plan. I like sticking to the plan & it's easier for me this way, especially to make sure I hit my protein goal & such. I do this every night.

tvanhooser · October 2012

Yes, I do this and most of the time I follow it unless something comes up to change it which isn't always or even often. I pretty much stick to it because then I know what I am putting in before one bite crosses my lips so there's no chance of going over. I have to be organized about this if it's going to work for me. The whole eat, then log and hope it works out....yeah, if that method worked for me, I wouldn't need to be on here tracking everything I eat and I want to get to my healthy weight ASAP and just go to maintenance....not like I enjoy this, but I know I need to do it for reasons greater than my apathy so I do it....for myself. The only times I change are if for instance, I had planned to use up dinner leftovers for lunch the next day, but my husband ate them first, either for breakfast or took it in his lunch cooler (He has to be at work by 5:30 am so I don't get up for that and supervise the lunch packing). It's generally not a big deal. Just have to look what else I have and eat similar calories and change the diary so it all works out. Only other time is when I have planned our weekly meals (which I do to make grocery shopping easier and because my husband is diabetic), then something comes up and I end up being somewhere else for a certain meal because family comes to town and takes us out to eat or I volunteer to work an event at church because of a last minute emergency I wasn't planning on or forgot to take into consideration when I made the plan and they feed us, I just graciously eat what is provided in moderate amounts and skip anything like pop or potato chips and just eat the fruit, carrot sticks and sandwich or whatever and get some water. Then adjust the diary when I get home. But those are exceptions rather than rules so I mostly stick to what I say I will eat.