Anyone use a food log? If so, how?

(Bob M) #1

I’ve been thinking of trying a food log. What I specifically want to know is the following for instance: does eating 85%+ chocolate really cause me to have a bad night’s rest, or do I just think it does? Can I eat onions or tomatoes or other vegetables without getting an allergic reaction? Does eating too much cheese (or any?) cheese cause me any issues?

For instance, I would write down what I ate say for dinner. Then I would write down any negative effects I had (if I had any).

Has anyone done this? If so, what did you use and was it helpful? I was thinking an app or electronic file might be useful, but have no idea if such a thing exists.

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #2

I log everything with a set of Open Office spreadsheets. One sheet is my database of foods, the other is my daily meals log. I have a third separate sheet for weight and body measurements.

(bulkbiker) #3

I have a spreadsheet where I record everything that goes in… calories and macros… I don’t design meals but record everything along with blood sugar and infrequent ketone readings. Health test results… always handy to have everything in one place.

(mole person) #4

I’ve tried it numerous times over the years and have not found it very helpful. There are too many consequences of certain foods that last for a long time (8+ days) and once my system is sensitized then other foods cause problems which might not normally. Also, foods don’t all have binary effects on me. For example I can get away with a couple of tablespoons of nuts on occasion with no ill effects. But if I instead have a small handful then I’m screwed for days. Here is another one. I had an ice cream yesterday. I’m 100% today. But if I had another one today I know from past experience I’d have a huge likelihood (90%+) of feeling terrible tomorrow and for A WHOLE WEEK AFTERWARDS.

Anyhow, the only technique that works for me to figure out my sensitivities is complete elimination followed by ultra slow reintroductions. When I say complete elimination l mean nothing but beef, salt and water. And by ultra slow reintroductions I mean a single new item every week or two. My problem is that I really need to do this without coffee, and as of yet I’ve not succeeded in this step.

(Jane) #5

Chronometer is a food tracker and you can add notes on how you feel every day or after every meal. Not sure the format would be as useful as a spreadsheet where you can list and sort everything instead of viewing one day-at-a-time like most trackers.

The apps will trend your weight, glucose etc but the notes are kind of a afterthought and I think I would prefer a spreadsheet with everything in tabular form for easier analysis.

(Todd Allen) #6

For finding food sensitivities or trying to optimize other goals such as fat loss or physical performance instead of daily food logging I’ve found it more helpful to get very consistent in diet for 2 or 3 weeks at a time. If you eat the same meals each day the need for tracking disappears and it gives time for the effects of particular foods to rise above the noise of daily variations in sleep, exercise, stress, injuries, allergies, sicknesses, weather, etc.

It can be helpful on the first day or two of a new dietary regimen to log everything into an app such as cronometer to get a sense of the macro and micro nutrient breakdowns of ones choices to see if there is need for adjustments in food or supplements.

(Bob M) #7

Thanks for the comments. I am going to try a test of high protein/lower fat versus higher fat/lower protein (once I finally get done painting rooms, so I have time to actually get my act together), so I was going to use chronometer.

I have tons of spreadsheets (glucose/ketones, blood pressure, weight), so that’s a possibility, although @Ilana_Rose’s comments make me wonder how well I can do, if I get a delayed reaction. Some will be delayed, like eating and then (say) constipation. I assume if cheese causes constipation, for instance, then I would copy a bunch of stuff down (1 day, 2 days, 3 days?) that I eat, then get constipation, then work backwards from there?

As soon as my wife and I get done painting our kid’s rooms (my recommendation, if you can afford it: pay someone to do this), I plan on going on a carnivore diet for at least two weeks. This will be as “clean” as I can get it (no dairy), though I was hoping to keep coffee/green tea. Then, I’d add things in, hopefully one at a time, to see what happens.

I’ll probably start with dairy, mainly cheese, as my first add-in.

I realize that finding out what causes issues is tough. I was convinced that cheese caused constipation, but I ate quite a bit of cheese this weekend, yet no constipation as of yet. Unless something (like spicy food) cause an immediate allergic response, it’s tough to know what’s happening. Thus, I’m hoping a “log”/diary would at least clarify things.

#8

There is a website called my fatsecret that might be sorta what your looking for. It can be used to log foods, cals, carbs, sugar, protein, etc etc. Also has a section for exersize, and another for journal and sharing your diet hacks. I have used it for about 18 months, and it helps me to keep from backsliding.

(Bob M) #9

Thanks, I’ll look into that.