Online Food Logging Tools: Do They Work?
We've heard it millions of times during our weight-loss ventures: Write down what you eat! "You'd be hard pressed to find a nutritionist that wasn't a huge fan of food logs," says Lauren Antonucci, MS, RD, CSSD and Owner/Director of Nutrition Energy in New York City. "It's something that I think every person should do once-at least for a week-because they will learn something."
"We make over 200 food decisions a day," says Antonucci. "Do I want this? Should I have another bite? Am I ever gonna make the healthy choice?" A logging tool helps us bring each problem or decision to our conscious brain, which-at least half the time-helps us make the right choices. If you can't work one-on-one with a nutritionist, digital logging tools can be an extremely helpful resource.
That said, none of us should ever start keeping a food log, specifically a digital food log, without a little Nutrition 101, she says. The truth, she explains, is that these tools are only as accurate as long as the person using them is knowledgeable about the portion sizes they eat. While the tools are very useful at pointing out patterns in your diet that you may not have been aware of, such as how many times a week you actually eat French fries, she wouldn't recommend that people rely on them for the numbers, charts and graphs without first getting educated.
If you do choose a digital journaling tool over an alternate tracking system, Antonucci suggests first obtaining accurate calorie-counts of your meals and portions by using websites like calorieking.com: "If I measure a cup of rice, it will tell me that it's 240 calories; now that I know that I have the correct count, I can use that information on an online tracking system."
Most importantly, Antonucci explains, the logging tool a person chooses should depend on their own goals. Some people sign up for sites like my-calorie-counter.com, which offers blog therapy and access to its online community, specifically for the role of support it could play in their weight-loss efforts. Others might choose a mobile digital journaling tool specifically because they can access it on their phones. Athletes might like the focus to be on tracking their workouts and the nutrient timing (the effects you see at specific times when you supplement your diet with specific nutrients.)
We've gathered a list of digital tools with different focuses (some on community, some on planning ahead, some even based on restaurant menus) that if used correctly, can help bring your unhealthy habits to your attention-always the first step towards reaching your happy weight.
Online logging tools:
This tool keeps track of your meals over an extended time and recognizes repeat ingredients so that your data entry eventually becomes fairly effortless.
An easy-to-use tabbed calendar that logs in your regular meals and exercise routines.
A tool with a large support community, as well as blogging features to help you stay on track. My-calorie-counter.com will even connect you automatically to similar users based on your interests (eating habits, exercise routines, health issues.)
Breaks down calories that you expend versus calories you take in, helping to resolve any actual scale weight vs. projected weight discrepancies. This tool also suggests which vitamins and nutrients you need to get more of by calculating nutrients in the foods you eat.
Lets you look through restaurant menus and check the calories of your favorite restaurant. Also helps you keep track of total expended energy by calculating your steps!
Suggests weekly meals and exercise routines for you based on criteria you enter.
How many times have you walked across the USA? This iPhone-compatible tool tracks the distance traveled during each exercise session across a virtual map-choose any country or terrain!
Use this software tool to overcome your weight, balance your diet or reclaim your health!
Part of Lance Armstrong's Live Strong Foundation, this program dares you to get fit. With original videos and pointers from their staff of experts, Livestrong.com makes weight-loss and food logging competitive. An iPhone calorie companion is available for when you're on the go.
This tool includes a water consumption calculator, also helping you predict a realistic time frame for losing weight.
To talk more about online logging tools, chat here in the Q & A section of the Woman's Day Community
