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Calorie Counting Tools

Calorie counting tools help those interested in losing weight or maintaining their current size. Regardless of the diet method used, those wanting to shed pounds must burn more calories than they consume. Therefore, keeping a record of your calorie intake is essential. With any calorie counting tool, include everything you eat or drink in order to obtain a realistic picture of your diet's course. From mobile applications to written journals, calorie counting tools help you track weight goals.

  1. Online Journal

    • A number of websites offer online journals that enable users to keep track of their calorie intake for free. In order to use these services, you must register with the website, creating a user name and password. Members then input the foods they eat, along with any beverages. These calorie counting websites have databases that include counts for brand name and generic products, as well as meals offered at restaurants and fast-food chains. Some, like my-calorie-counter.com, also feature tools that calculate the number of calories burned during exercises and activities. In addition, the sites track vitamin and mineral intakes to ensure the user is consuming the recommended amount of these nutrients.

    Phone Applications

    • With the increase in smart phone use, applications featuring calorie counting tools are available from software developers. This type of calorie counting tool is convenient because you can access the journal anywhere from your phone. The My Net Diary mobile phone application draws calorie information from a database of more than 100,000 food nutrition labels. In addition to brand-name foods, the database contains foods from fast-food and restaurant chains, as well as exclusive supermarket brands. The applications also chart workouts, nutrition intake and overall weight loss. While some of these mobile phone applications are free, others charge a monthly or one-time fee.

    Written Journal

    • A written journal is a convenient and easy way to keep track of your daily calorie intake. Buy a notebook that is small enough to carry comfortably, yet large enough to fit the needed information. Allot one page per day, and chart the food eaten at each meal. Also, remember to include snacks, beverages, sauces and oils or butter used to prepare meals. At the end of the day, calculate the number of calories consumed. A calorie book comes in handy for this task, or use a website with an extensive food database, such as Calorieking.com. In addition, use the nutrition labels listed on foods for those in the United States.

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