As a Holistic Nutritionist I see many food journals. And when I say many, I mean hundreds. Not everyone enjoys to do them, and that’s okay, I always work around it, but sometimes it’s the piece missing in the puzzle especially with regards to digestive complaints.
Food journalling has changed so much even since I started seeing clients 4 years ago. I had all these Microsoft Word templates created and I would neatly print them for clients to fill out and bring in, then slowly over the years I realized this was the most inefficient way to get client’s to write anything down.
Who carries a piece of paper with them everywhere? I decided that it doesn’t matter so much WHERE it’s getting done, just that it gets done. I provide a lot of options to try and make it as convenient as possible since I know it’s not the most fun thing to do.
I find anything to do with a cell phone or an app is a winner. What’s around you always? Your phone. What’s not around you always? A piece of paper or a journal. So really, it creates more efficiency, less annoyance and it helps me help you.
So now that we’ve found a way for you to record your food intake, let’s take a look at HOW to actually do it so all your hard work doesn’t go to waste.
Breakfast – eggs
Lunch – sandwich, yogurt
Snack – fruit, nuts, crackers, junk
Dinner – protein, vegetables, rice
This journal doesn’t show me anything about your lifestyle, your health, or how to help you
Breakfast – 2 eggs, scrambled, drizzle of olive oil, spinach, red peppers
Lunch – sandwich – 2 slices (brand) bread, 2 spoonfuls (brand) hummus, lettuce, tomato, grilled chicken with homemade spices (list)
Snack – apple, small handful of almonds and cashews, a few (brand) crackers
Dinner – salmon filet, steamed, with homemade pesto (list ingredients), green beans sautéed in olive oil with garlic on half the plate, palmful of brown rice cooked in vegetable broth (brand)
NOTES – stomach bloated immediately after lunch, energy was great today
This journal shows me the type of food that you consumed, what brands you’re buying, and approximate quantity. Now it’s much easier for me to recommend new brands that may be better for your health, or help you balance out your day better, or help you find the A-HA moment of what’s irritating you or preventing you from reaching your nutrition goal. It’s a win-win situation! Beverage intake is extremely important as well but as long as all the food is there that’s the most important.
Happy food journalling!
0 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks