Food Diary: Log As You Go VS Plan Before

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.

I think those that pre-log might skip logging something they ate and didn't budget for.

And you know this........how?

to the OP's question: I pre-log the night before. If I want something extra, I'll go for an unplanned run/walk to earn it.

Pre-logging gives me a measure of control that I normally don't have when flying by the seat of my pants. My brain works better when I have a set plan that I'm not scrambling to come up with at the last minute. It's easier to work within my macros when I pre-log so I know what I can/can't have the next day.

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.

Not me. I log then I eat. If it isnt in my log I do not eat it.

Most of the time I log everything up until my afternoon snack so I know what I have to play with for dinner time and extra snacks. Much easier for me.

ETA: at least during the week. Weekends are more relaxed. If I log it and end up not eating it, I just delete it, no harm.

I like the idea of logging ahead I will try it!

I log everything right away in the morning. Being a homemaker and a stay at home mom, I already know what I am making for dinner way ahead of time so I basically base my day around that