(HealthDay News) — A food diary can help you track how much food — and how many calories — you’re taking in. This can help make it easier to lose those extra pounds.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions for keeping a food diary:
- Don’t change your eating routine, unless your doctor suggests this.
- Track which foods you eat and how much. Don’t forget to include snacks, beverages, side items, sauces, dressings or dips.
- Each time you eat, write down the time of day, where you were, and if you were alone or with someone else. Enter these details immediately after you finish eating.
- Note how you felt while you were eating — happy, sad, anxious, etc.
- Jot down what you were doing while you were eating, such as working, watching TV or reading a book.
- Be honest, and don’t leave anything out.