Okay, I get it, no one really likes the process of writing down or tracking every bite that they put in their mouth. It seems like a lot of hassle to take time to record what you’ve just eaten or to track what you plan to eat at your next meal. But if done the right way, and by “right” I mean “easy,” tracking your food consumption can be a powerful wellness tool. The key is to simplify the process. Luckily, these days there are lots of options in the ways of meal tracking apps, so check out a couple and find one to use. My preferred tracker is MyFitnessPal (MFP) Premium because it allows me to store favorite meals and recipes, and track via barcode scanner and even by taking a photo of my meal! It also has a huge list of stored restaurant menu info. While I do pay about $35 for an annual subscription to the service (that’s less than $3/month!), MFP does offer a free version as well.
There are TONS of different apps and food logging services to choose from from Noom to Bitesnap to Cara to MyNetDiary to more. Check them out. See what you like. What seems easy and practical to use and is most cost-effective for your needs.
In the meantime, there are several benefits of tracking your meals, the most important being that it allows you see the actual nutrition-value of your daily food consumption. When I began meal logging, I was shocked that foods I had considered healthy were revealed to be not-so-much. Tracking can also help you see trends in what foods you eat and regular cravings you have as well as highlight what you’re missing in your nutrition. I had no clue I wasn’t eating enough fiber until I noticed that I never seemed to reach the macro goal my tracker set for me. Suddenly, I was inspired to eat more veggies (and pears—pears are a fiber goldmine!)
Note that developing a tracking habit can take some time. While consistency is key, it may take a while—don’t beat yourself up about it. If you miss a day, just track your food the next day. No biggie! To help yourself be accountable, try setting a reminder on your phone 2-3 times a day to enter the food you’ve eaten since you last tracked. Or, better yet, enlist the help of a friend who also wants to develop a tracking habit. Some apps like MFP allow users to share visibility so you can see each other’s entries. Make it a contest! Perhaps if you know your BFF sees your journal, you’ll be more likely to skip that extra cookie or you’ll make sure to update that last snack you ate to keep your tracking streak going.
Whatever app you use, however often you do it, give tracking a try and let me know what you learn about yourself!
