We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Do you track before or after you eat?

traumatology
traumatology Posts: 3
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I was just wondering, do you track your food before or after you eat it?
Which do you think is better?

I find when I track my food before I actually eat it, I can decide that maybe only eating half of the __ would make for a better day, but it's also pretty daunting. but sometimes when i wait until afterwards, i realise i've eaten more calories than i thought!

what do you guys do?
«134

Replies

  • Cntewell
    Cntewell Posts: 35
    Since I pack my lunch and snacks, I log my breakfast, lunch and snacks before I eat them. I like it since that way I know exactly how many calories I have for dinner and can decide what to eat from there.
  • BIGJIMMYU
    BIGJIMMYU Posts: 1,221 Member
    Always before as depending what and how much I eat or drink it will cause greater fluctuations if I do it after.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I usually log after. Many times not until the next day.
  • Rachelito
    Rachelito Posts: 119 Member
    I track before, then go back and make changes if I go off plan. It helps me to have a clear plan and see what im eating and like you, I can make adjustments as needed.
  • zephyrionitis
    zephyrionitis Posts: 30
    Before. It helps me make better decisions about what I'm eating to see the impact on my daily allowance.
  • razorbecky
    razorbecky Posts: 134
    i usually log after i eat,
  • n8vchick77
    n8vchick77 Posts: 114 Member
    I usually log my food before and sometimes during...
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    I usually log prior to eating, but my food during the day is very structured, so it's easy to do. And for dinner, I have my BF call out what he's using prior to settling down for dinner. If I end up eating less, I can always adjust, or I know if I have room for eating more if I'm still hungry!
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Always after.
  • kit_katty
    kit_katty Posts: 992 Member
    Before whenever possible, to see if I can spread out my calories or save for a small treat. I find it really keeps me on track!
  • crystal8208
    crystal8208 Posts: 284 Member
    I log after if it is food I am making myself. If I am going out to eat, I will look online and decide what I'm getting before I go. In that case, I log before. But usually after for me.
  • bluberrygoo
    bluberrygoo Posts: 222 Member
    I log a week in advance, then I only eat what I log.
  • Stephisonaroll
    Stephisonaroll Posts: 38
    I try and log my entire day in the morning so I can plan out what to eat..and what I can fit in as a snack or treat. I find that planning it out helps me to keep within my goal :happy:
  • karisma81
    karisma81 Posts: 71 Member
    In the morning, I fill out the whole day. I'm aiming for 40% carbs: 30% fat: 30% protein so this allows me to fiddle with the food weights to get it close. When i deviate from the plan, I go back and modify. Sounds a little tedious but I enjoy it.
  • sabrina32576
    sabrina32576 Posts: 253 Member
    I usually track after I eat but I will look up the calories sometimes if I'm going to certain restaurants.
  • ConnieB1979
    ConnieB1979 Posts: 239 Member
    Since my breakfast and lunch are pre planned I usually log them before I eat....dinner and snacks are usually after.
  • MMarvelous
    MMarvelous Posts: 1,067 Member
    I do both...LOL Since I eat most of the same foods throughout the week, I post the calories after I have eaten. If I am going out to eat or am running low on calories, I will enter my meal first.
  • kristinL16
    kristinL16 Posts: 401 Member
    For me, logging before I eat is important. I usually do it the night before when I am planning what to take for lunch and what to have for dinner. I will sometimes have a change of plans (especially for dinner) but at least I know how many cals I have to work with. I go back to my diary during the day to update (delete snacks that I didn't actually eat or add something, etc).
  • mrseelmerfudd
    mrseelmerfudd Posts: 506 Member
    I always log as Im eating lol. if im cooking, then ill log the food then. if i didn't log it then then i would forget,
  • binariiangel
    binariiangel Posts: 146 Member
    I log before I eat. I try and figure out the best way to lay out everything. Though after tomorrow I do believe I'm going to be doing the body for life challenge, and will lay out all my meals in advance.
  • neubauer7
    neubauer7 Posts: 71 Member
    I track before, then go back and make changes if I go off plan. It helps me to have a clear plan and see what im eating and like you, I can make adjustments as needed.

    I tend to do the same thing! That way I know if what Im wanting to have will make me go over for the day... then I can 1/2 the serving of a meal to allow something that I'm really wanting so I don't feel deprived. Sometimes that low fat ice cream treat at the end of the day is worth only a 1/2 serving of dinner to me! :wink:
  • Allan1962
    Allan1962 Posts: 3 Member
    I log my breakfast and everything that I take with me to work (because I know I'm going to eat it all) first thing in the morning. That gives me a good indication of what I have left. If something special is coming up in the evening (dinner out or with friends) I make sure to leave a little extra.
  • DeenieWeenie
    DeenieWeenie Posts: 149 Member
    I usually log after. I do love logging before though! That way I can see how many calories are left for the day and if I can have treats or not.. ;)
  • CleanCarol
    CleanCarol Posts: 26
    I track before I eat. I find I do better if I have a plan for the day, so I write out what I'm going to have and stick to it.
  • siwelh
    siwelh Posts: 50 Member
    Since I pack my lunch and snacks, I log my breakfast, lunch and snacks before I eat them. I like it since that way I know exactly how many calories I have for dinner and can decide what to eat from there.

    me too
  • edena1987
    edena1987 Posts: 66 Member
    I track my breakfast, lunch and snacks prior to eating because I know exactly what I am having for those meals. Dinners are hard to plan because I know if I am going to get stuck during my commute home or what. I also only log my exercise AFTER I actually do it :-p
  • Grandysl
    Grandysl Posts: 189
    Usually after, unless it is something that is already on my list that I have used. If its new, after, sometimes while eating I will look it up on phone.
  • Bellasfitnesspal
    Bellasfitnesspal Posts: 4
    Always after
  • janeinspain
    janeinspain Posts: 173 Member
    Maybe I make a plan in my mind, but actual logging, I do it after eating. As with exercise, I like to "write it down" after.

    On dessert though, I wait to see what my meal's calories mount up to and only then do I decide whether there's room for a little something or not.
  • Phoenix59
    Phoenix59 Posts: 364 Member
    I usually log before, since I plan my meals out. If anything changes, I go back and modify.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories