Have you ever kept a food log or diary? There are several reasons why keeping a list of foods we have eaten is helpful.
Weight loss – Sometimes we don’t think we are overeating, but once we write everything down, we get a realistic picture. Record portion sizes, as well. Often portion sizes are much bigger than they should be, which can lead to too many calories. There are apps that can help with this, or just keep a simple list in our phone or on a small pad of paper. Record everything for a week and then evaluate. It will make us much more aware and help prevent mindless eating.
Food intolerances – it is very rare that we are eating one food item in isolation. This can make it hard to realize a food that may be causing a digestive or physical reaction (stomach upset, bloating, gas, eczema, itchiness, flushed face, etc.). Keeping a food log will help pinpoint a food and tie it to a reaction. Eliminate that food for 2 weeks and see if the reaction resolves. After 2 weeks add it back to see if there is a reaction again. This gives us solid evidence that certain foods may not be something we tolerate. Remember… just because a food is “healthy” doesn’t mean we might not tolerate it. Every body is different!
Emotional distress – often times we eat when we are experiencing various emotions, and we don’t even realize it. By keeping a food log and also including our emotions at the time of eating, we may discover certain triggers that we can deal with instead of eating.
Being honest with ourselves is one of the best self-care practices. We don’t have to share this information with anyone. We can use it for our own personal decision making. However, if we need a little help dealing with some of these issues, don’t be afraid to get that help!
