Is the food diary the ultimate dietary change tool?

Is the food diary the ultimate dietary change tool?

It possibly could be... I know that when I'm travelling a lot its easy to get out of routine and find that I am adding extras (or foods that I normally don't have so much of) to my diet. Thats where getting the food diary out again can help - it always makes you think twice about what you put in your mouth - do I actually want other people to see that!

Research has shown that those who keep a food diary lose weight more effectively, and manage to keep it off more successfully. It is a motivating tool - I also find with myself and clients that it is a great idea to highlight any treats in your food diary, that way you can easily see how often you have had treats (and whether you should be thinking twice again!).

A point to remember in using your food diary is to make sure its precise - don't just write cereal for breakfast, write 1/2 cup Just Right + 1/2 cup Calci Trim milk and 2 tablespoons of cranberries. That way you can track your intake over time and look for corresponding patterns. If you need a template for your food diary check out these