Food Diary: Log As You Go VS Plan Before

AprilSchulte10
AprilSchulte10 Posts: 95 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've always been curious when I see my friends complete their diary for the day before its even noon.

I personally log my day as I go so I dont feel so restricted and can change things here and there as I go.

But I'm wondering if I'm missing out on something by doing this?

So I wanna know what are the pros/cons and why people either log their day out before its done or log their day as they go through it?
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Replies

  • mheath1293
    mheath1293 Posts: 35 Member
    I like to log ahead of time because it helps me stay within my calorie limit for the day. When I used to log after I ate, I'd sometimes find myself still hungry at night even though I'd eaten all my calories for the day by lunch time. I don't always log for the entire day ahead of time, but I always log before each meal. If I eat less/more than planned, or end up eating something different I just adjust my entry accordingly.
  • scottyg70
    scottyg70 Posts: 388 Member
    I plan mine out ahead of time. This way I have a very good idea about where I sit. Does it change? Sometimes. But when it does, I know I've got "xxx calories" left. It helps me out a lot by planning ahead.
  • momzeeee
    momzeeee Posts: 475 Member
    I'm trying the log before I eat method right now, to give me a game plan for the day. So far it's working good, but today is only the second day :)
  • Brandilynnrose
    Brandilynnrose Posts: 121
    I sometimes log things ahead of time when I KNOW what I am eating to see how many calories I have "leftover". I did it today (logging my lunch and a snack in before I ate them) because I wanted to plan dinner and to see what I am working with as far as calories for the rest of the day. Again, I don't do it all the time. But it can be nice to know you have "spare" calories, haha.
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    Logging ahead gives me an idea of where I'm heading, so if I want to flex, I know I can flex. I change as I need to, but most of the time my meals are pretty much set from when I log it in the morning.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    So I wanna know what are the pros/cons and why people either log their day out before its done or log their day as they go through it?

    For me the pros are making sure I get enough protein and calcium, two things I would not get enough of without thinking about it. The cons are I rarely end up eating what I pre-logged for dinner. Lunch / snacks as work is easy because I don't have much else with me.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    I think if you log it before you go then you will for sure make sure you do it.
  • zytah
    zytah Posts: 153
    I plan mine out ahead of time. This way I have a very good idea about where I sit. Does it change? Sometimes. But when it does, I know I've got "xxx calories" left. It helps me out a lot by planning ahead.

    ^ this. its exciting for me to know how many calories I have left over in case I have a craving for a little snack late at night if I need it.
  • themanda04
    themanda04 Posts: 60 Member
    i log ahead for the same reasons. my breakfast/lunch/snacks are pretty consistent day to day, but i still do all my logging in the morning so i can see how much i can shake things up for dinner. :) i generally log dinner after i've made it and consumed it. i also pre-log when i know i'm going to get fast food or be in a position where i'm not totally in control of my meal. that was i know i won't go all crazy with drive-thru juju and end up with corn dogs and chili cheese fries and a milkshake sitting in my lap. unless that's what i WANT, then i just plan ahead for it. pre-logging makes all that possible. even when i splurge or do something really crazy, i can almost all the time make it fit within my daily numbers. and if it doesn't...i don't worry. i'll make it up the next day.
  • Shan790
    Shan790 Posts: 280 Member
    I log after lunch since lunch is the up in the air meal for me. Dinner I know won't change. If I pre log I have a better idea what I can eat to even out my macros for the day or save room for a treat.
  • jme6976
    jme6976 Posts: 49 Member
    I log ahead so I can make sure there is room for what I want for dinner and try to add more exercise if needed. I like to have a little room for a glass of wine, a beer or some frozen yogurt or skinny cow if I want it. If I don't want it I don't have it but if there's room and I want it it's always better!!
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    Log as I go. I pretty much know at this point how to make food fit my macros.
  • tomg33
    tomg33 Posts: 305 Member
    I've tried both and at the moment since my schedule is fairly flexible I much prefer the "as you go" approach. But for days when I'm going to be out and about I definitely have to plan ahead though.

    Generally it's good to have an idea of what's going on though. Like you might have a certain target for breakfast, lunch, dinner etc. Then having a few calories left over is great to have that scoop of icecream at the end of the day.
  • GemmaM_x
    GemmaM_x Posts: 324 Member
    I eat pretty much the same thing every day, only my snacks really change. I tend to log ahead and that lets me plan ever use too as I know what I have to burn :)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    When I was doing MFP I always pre-logged my day. This way everything was planned out and I knew exactly where I was at all times. Occasionally I'd have to adjust, but no biggie.

    This also helped me ensure I was hitting my macro goals as well.
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    Some days (like today) I like to log ahead because I already know what's on the menu! And even then, I give myself flexibility. I'm about to go change up what's going on because I didn't eat all that I logged for lunch, meaning more calories left over for this evening.
  • fysty75
    fysty75 Posts: 88 Member
    I'm a 50/50 person. I typically plan my breakfast and lunch and log before i eat it but then my evening is up for grabs...I DO try to look up & log BEFORE I put in my mouth to avoid surprises but don't PLAN per se. The lookup/log before it goes in my mouth prevents me from eating a 70 calorie donut hole not realizing it cost me THAT much but leaving it open allows for flexibility to go out with friends or hubs or to go for treats etc.
  • MrsPong
    MrsPong Posts: 580 Member
    I log the day before so I know that all meals are covered and so is most my snacks... and I know how many left over ones I have to work with. I don't chain myself to it, it does change but this gives me some guidelines so I stay on track.
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    I asked the same question. Whatever works best for you.

    I go by the old saying "Failing to plan is planning to fail."
    But realistically, I can't plan every little detail.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I do it as I go, because sometimes I just need a shot of whisky after a meeting.

    And sometimes I want a brownie.
  • ahmadfahmy
    ahmadfahmy Posts: 214 Member
    I've always been curious when I see my friends complete their diary for the day before its even noon.

    I personally log my day as I go so I dont feel so restricted and can change things here and there as I go.

    But I'm wondering if I'm missing out on something by doing this?

    So I wanna know what are the pros/cons and why people either log their day out before its done or log their day as they go through it?

    i personally think its easier to hit your macros if you plan ahead (not like a day in advance..like an hour before its time to eat)...i log everything first then start cooking.
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    Oh, and now I have to change more because my son just ate my last apple (part of my normal bed time snack).
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I renamed my meals with a target calorie allotment for each
    Breakfast - 400
    Lunch - 800
    Snack - 300
    Dinner - 900

    That way, I have a guideline for how much I should be eating throughout the day and rarely "run out" of calories by dinner time.
  • joyincincy
    joyincincy Posts: 228 Member
    I log the day before so I know that all meals are covered and so is most my snacks... and I know how many left over ones I have to work with. I don't chain myself to it, it does change but this gives me some guidelines so I stay on track.

    This.
  • aliciapenny
    aliciapenny Posts: 51 Member
    I plan ahead so I can hit my macros properly and also so i can cook ahead of time. I do not want to cook every single night for dinner. I would rather make it on the Sunday before the week begins. When i get home I just have to heat and eat.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Until it enters my mouth it doesn't get logged. But I have general ideas of the calories I want to have in a day, so it isn't fully eat-at-will and see what is left for dinner.

    I think those that pre-log might skip logging something they ate and didn't budget for.
  • tokig0313
    tokig0313 Posts: 99 Member
    I log ahead as it not only helps me stay on track, but also helps me resist impulse purchases at the grocery store. I tend to roughly plan out my week before I grocery shop and then purchase the things on my list.

    before each meal I tend to glance at the app on my phone to make sure I have all ingredients or items for the meal and then adjust quantities or any additions/omissions as needed.

    I generally don't submit my day until I've finished eating for the day as things change at times.

    if I'm trying a new recipe, it's kinda nice to know in advance that I have the calories for it. Do I live by my plan? Not always. I don't let it stop me from unexpected meals out or that people bring over. If I need an extra snack or something, there's usually lots of fruit around.
  • Danny_Boy13
    Danny_Boy13 Posts: 2,094 Member
    I've always been curious when I see my friends complete their diary for the day before its even noon.

    I personally log my day as I go so I dont feel so restricted and can change things here and there as I go.

    But I'm wondering if I'm missing out on something by doing this?

    So I wanna know what are the pros/cons and why people either log their day out before its done or log their day as they go through it?

    Meh... different strokes for different strokes. Just do whats best for you.
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    I log after I am done with my meals. I have to be very sure of what I am going to eat before I decide to pre-log; most of the time I change my choices at the last moment.
  • Ejourneys
    Ejourneys Posts: 1,603 Member
    I log as I go. My foods are pretty consistent on a day to day basis, but my individual meals can differ radically from day to day. All that says is that sometimes I'm hungrier at one time of day than at another.

    The only time I plan in advance is when I eat out. If an online menu with nutrition facts is available, I check it ahead of time to make my least-damaging choice and plan the rest of that day's meals accordingly.

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