How to Create a Calorie Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is a wonderful tool that provides an organized log of important data. By the use of a grid with columns and rows containing your dieting data, you can keep track of your daily intake of calories, the specific foods you are eating and specific patterns in your diet. To create a calorie spreadsheet follow this simple process.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide what computer application you will use to create your spreadsheet. Some of the most popular spreadsheet generators are from Microsoft Office Excel available from Microsoft Office Online, Lotus Smart Suite 123 from the official IBM website and Google Spreadsheets from the Google Docs website (see Resources below).

• 2

  Take a tutorial in spreadsheet creation if it is offered by the computer application. Though spreadsheet generators tend to be similar in design there will be certain points specific to your particular program.

• 3

  Familiarize yourself briefly with your spreadsheet's functions. A function is a formula already contained within your program. There will probably be upwards of 50 of these in your application.

• 4

  Open an unsaved spreadsheet template in your chosen computer application. You will see a grid of columns labeled with letters of the alphabet beginning with "A" and rows labeled with numbers beginning with 1.

• 5

  Label the columns you wish to use. You can use as much data or as little as you want in your grid. A typical diet spreadsheet could include "Date," "Meal," "Food," "Calories" and "Total".

• 6

  Insert an addition function to create the running sum for your "Total" column. Your program will have a list of functions and directions for working them into your spreadsheet.

• 7

  Test the functionality of your calorie spreadsheet by keying in some trial data. In particular, make sure your "Total" is giving you the correct amount after each "Calorie" entry.

• 8

  Save your newly created spreadsheet by following the program's directives. This generally requires nothing more than going to "File" and clicking "Save" from the drop down menu.

• 9

  Input daily data into cells. This will be simple text entries for the date, meal and the food, and a numerical entry for calories. The total will be calculated for you automatically.

• 10

  Use your spreadsheet to trace patterns in your eating and weight loss (and gain). This will help you see where you are most successful and where you need to improve. For instance, you may notice a tendency to consume a large percentage of your daily calories in the evening.