How to Create a Food Log

Starting a food log is an excellent way to control what you eat. In addition, keeping track of food will help you make better nutritional decisions and improve your health. Doctors often recommend food logs to patients who are concerned about their weight; however, logs are beneficial to anyone who wants to make a positive diet change. A variety of digital food logs are available online, and you also can make your own log without using the Internet.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Paper
• Pen
• Ruler

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose a method of logging food. If you are computer savvy, opt for a spreadsheet. You either can print out blank copies of your log or enter your information into the computer daily. If you have difficulty operating a computer, make a food log using a notebook, ruler and pen. Make copies of your blank log to avoid writing the same information repeatedly.

• 2

  Organize your log. Try to keep three to seven days of information on each page. At the top of your log, include your daily recommended caloric value and the recommended amounts for each food group. Also include gram allowances for fat, protein and carbohydrates. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, daily amounts vary for each person, so it is essential that you speak to your physician to determine how much you should eat.

• 3

  Add additional information. On the left side of your food log, type or write the day of the week. Determine how many meals and snacks you plan to eat throughout the day, and leave enough room to include each. Leave a few spaces between each day for calculating totals.

• 4

  Record the food you consume. After you eat each meal, input the food into your log. Read food labels and attempt to be as accurate as possible when recording serving sizes, calories and grams. At the end of every day, total your numbers and verify that you met your recommended allowances.