The Benefits of Food Journaling

*By: Christi Shingara*

We all have kept a journal at one point in our lives, but have you ever kept a food journal? Food journaling is exactly how it sounds, writing down everything you eat and drink on a daily basis. Sounds a little daunting doesn’t it? Even though it might require a little work, the benefits of keeping a journal are totally worth it.

Helps to Achieve Goals

There are a lot of goals that you can have when it comes to food. A journal can help track caloric intake, sugar and salt consumption and even help monitor how much carbs you eat. Whatever the goal may be journaling will help you stick to it and you can see your progress throughout.

Why Do You Eat The Way You Do?

Another benefit of journaling is actually realizing and understanding eating habits and why you eat the way you do. Why do you eat when you aren’t hungry? Why do you eat chocolate over fruit? Why do you buy the foods you do at the grocery store? These questions all can be answered with just a few journal entries and will shed some light on your eating habits and help you really think about your food choices.

Eliminate Mindless Eating

Sometimes we are unaware of how much food we consume due to activities around us, everyday distractions and even boredom. Keeping a journal will help with self-control by helping you realize these events. The key is to be true to yourself and keep an accurate journal in order to pinpoint the issues you may be having.

What You Actually Eat Versus What You Think You Eat?

You might think you drink the correct amount of water a day and consume the right amount of grains, fruits and vegetables that are recommended. However, once you start journaling you might realize that isn’t the case. This will help you open your eyes between what is true and what is false. You may realize you need more grains in your diet or you need to drink 8 more ounces of water a day.

Helps With Losing Weight

In 2008, the Kaiser Center for Health Research conducted a study of 1,700 people, reporting that dieters who kept a food journal for six months lost twice as much weight as those who didn’t. Journaling helps you provide a detailed account of your eating habits and why you consume food the way you do. When these things are realized that is when weight loss goals start to become a reality.

Have any food journaling tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments below.