Food Diary: Log As You Go VS Plan Before

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.

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

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.

I think if you log it before you go then you will for sure make sure you do it.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.