Can food logs actually help you lose weight or are they just a big waste of time? So I hear this often from many patients about whether or not they should do a food log. Let me go over the key things to understand about food logs and if they can actually help you lose weight.
What is a food log?
A food log is basically a written or typed out journal of the food you’ve eaten throughout the day. what’s important to realize is that by doing the food log you’re able to have a better analysis of any possible problems you have in your diet.
When I did my own food log when I found out wasn’t that I was overheating it was actually that I was under eating.
And the question is why is that a big deal?
The problem with not knowing what you eat
The biggest problem with not knowing what is enough calories is that my body was actually holding more fat. So I was struggling with getting leaner just because I didn’t realize I wasn’t eating enough calories.
Can a food log benefit you?
So how could a food log benefit you is a good question because it’s kind of a pain in the butt to do but by doing it could really solve some of your weight loss issues.
My suggestions for doing a food log
So here are my suggestions for doing a food log.
First do whatever is going to be the easiest. I tell some patients I don’t care if they do it on a napkin but as long as they are consistent and also will do it on a regular basis I’m totally fine with it.
Some patients rather download an app and there are plenty of them. Some of them have a subscription with you have to pay for and others are free. I’m not a big fan of these apps just because they seem like it takes longer to enter the information then just writing it down.
Here are some good food log apps:
My Fitness Pal
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myfitnesspal/
Daily Bit Journal
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dailybits.foodjournal&hl=en
The benefit of doing apps for your food log
The real benefit of using an app for a food log is that it gives you other information such as your total calories and carbohydrates as well as your protein. It also could provide graphs and charts to see your real progress over time. These aren’t things that typically are available by just writing it on a piece of paper.
The point is it doesn’t really matter which option you choose to use a written down food log or an app for a food log just as long as you actually do it and most importantly you’re honest.
Included here is a free food log that I give to patients. Download it so you have a written version that’s very easy to complete.
Summary:
So this is my take on food logs and how they’re important to lose weight. Keep it simple and be consistent. Honesty could help too and it goes a long way 🙂
Be Well. Stay Well.
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Useful information. Type 2 diabetes is not an easy disease to handle, this information will help.
Glad you found it helpful!
I am absolutely certain after reading this blog that I can reverse my type 2 diabetes.
Yes you can!
Compared to most doctors, you know quite a bit about reversing type 2 diabetes. Thanks for the info.
Absolutely
food logs help for me but i cannot keep them going over a long period of time.
I would love to lose weight as a diabetic, EVer since they put me on metaformin I can’t get the weight off. My diet is good overall. Very frustrating.
I do a food log but it doesnt seem to help. Does Dr Spages offer any help?
Yes. Dr Spages does a webinar that could help. Please visit https://www.drjspages.com/webinar to attend.
Yes. Schedule an appointment with him to see if he can help your type II diabetes.
Food log benefit is a good question because it’s kind of a pain in the butt to do but doing it could really solve some of your weight loss issues.
Thanks for clarifying! eat well, Stay well, Take it to Dr. Spages 🙂
Agree! Thanks Brielle 🙂
Food logs were a great help to monitor your food. Doing the food log you’re able to have a better analysis of any possible problems you have in your diet.
Thats Great:)
I am going to try your recommendations on helping type 2 diabetes!
Now I realize is that by doing the food log you’re able to have a better analysis of any possible problems you have in your diet.
Thats good to hear James that you realize now of any possible problems you have in your diet.
Now here’s the answer to my question about doing food logs and I realize that there’s more other way around rather than following what’s on my list.
You may also visit my site for furthermore information Ken 😉