Tip of the Week

Food Diary: Writing It Down Works

Keeping a food log is a recommended tool to help dieters evaluate their food choices and eating behavior, and also allows weight management staff to analyze these food choices and behavior.When urging dieters to keep a food diary, this beneficial awareness tool can provoke resistance for various reasons. A food diary takes effort, plus self-awareness can be initially uncomfortable and scary for many.

Relating the following benefits of a food diary could provide the right amount of encouragement and motivation for you to start.

Writing things down serves as a focusing device .It helps you pay closer attention to detail.

Gives you control. Losing weight will seem as a problem to solve, rather than a hopeless situation.

Provides you with a mechanism to show you are on track and to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Tracks patterns, which is essential in behavior modification.

Supports portion control and planning nutritionally-balanced meals.

Reveals hidden sabotages.

highlights trigger situations(for example:social,stress,and schedule).

Helps staff accurately analyze issues.

Is portable and no cost.

Keeping a food diary is the first step toward mindful eating and better food choices.


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