by Laura Leigh Fields

Created on: September 20, 2008

Many people keep track of the foods they eat on a regular basis. This can be for the purpose of dieting, for personal knowledge, or because their spouse keeps reminding of them. Regardless of the reasoning, keeping track of foods can be a good thing. It can help you be more alert when it comes to the food choices that you are making. There are many different ways to do this.

First you will need to decide why you are keeping track. If it is for a diet you will need to figure out what the important things you are avoiding or counting are. You may be paying attention to certain items such as fat, sugars, carbohydrates, calories, or serving sizes. Think of what you are focusing on and learn more about that specific cutback.

The best way to keep track of the foods that you are eating is to keep a journal. Write down what you eat each day and how much you eat of it. You can even go a few steps further by writing down how the food made you feel, what it tasted like, if it filled you up, and listing any effects of the items in question.

If you eat on the go a lot choose only the items from the healthy menu. Find healthier alternatives for the junk you normally would choose. Think of creative ways to keep track of food that you eat on the run. You can come up with abbreviations or numbers that will help you remember what you have consumed.

Almost all products have labels. You can keep up with the foods that you eat by saving labels. Use a pen or marker to write the date on them. Place them in an envelope or folder so that you will have them for future reference. If you are keeping a food journal you can paste the labels in there.

Make a large food pyramid out of construction paper. Section each food group off for your allotments needed per meal. Fill in each section of the pyramid as you eat. Look it over at the end of the day. This will help you decide if you are getting enough of each food group, what your weaknesses are, and the changes that you need to make.

If your problem with eating and keeping track is over indulging, this is easily solved. Preplan meals and snacks and stick to those things exactly. You are only cheating yourself when you cheat or lie so it is best to be honest when you are dieting.

Don't tempt yourself by preparing more than you can have. Only make or buy the amount that you can have. Avoid doubling recipes. If you don't have it there, you won't be able to consume it.

If you have a friend or family member that is dieting, work with them. Become diet buddies. The two of you can work together to stick to diets and keep track of the foods you eat. Sometimes, having a diet buddy can make a big difference.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to diets and keeping track of things is that you need to think. Making smart decisions and keeping track of the items can only take a few minutes. You and your body will be glad that you did.

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