When working with a Fitness Nutrition Coach or any other type of wellness professional, you will most likely be required to keep a daily food log. This is essentially a comprehensive list of all food and drink items you consume in a day, along with the nutritional information for each item. Whether you are trying to lose fat weight and improve your body composition, improve cardiovascular heath by monitoring sodium intake, or any other type of health and nutrition concern, I can’t stress enough how vitally important it is to keep a food log and stick with it! It is a huge factor in obtaining and maintaining a state of wellness. I usually recommend that this daily log be kept for at least a few weeks, until one’s wellness goals are on track, then periodically as needed. In fact, I still “spot check” myself from time to time!

A daily food log sheet will consist of areas for you to write down the food or drink type, portion consumed, calories (kcals), and any number of nutrition information items, such as fats, carbohydrates, protein, sodium, fiber, etc. It is important to be as honest and accurate as possible, and to make a hand-written notation shortly before or after eating. For this reason, I recommend keeping a hard-copy sheet on a kitchen counter or on your person if eating out. Don’t wait until later, or try to keep sheets on a computer to fill in later, as it can be very easy to forget something or “slack” off! Remember, you will have to answer to your coach, and he or she will be monitoring your progress and using the information you provide to aid in your wellness goals!

A good wellness professional will instruct you on exactly how to keep a food log, what information to provide based on your wellness needs and goals, and how to read and understand “Nutrition Facts” labels found on all packaged foods. You will also be instructed on how to look up nutrition information for fresh fruits, vegetables, etc. Yes, keeping food logs can be a daunting task and quite a learning experience, but you will get the hang of it over time!

I think you will be very surprised at what you will discover about your dietary habits, and what needs to be adjusted! For example, if you’re trying to limit sodium intake, it can be very easy to go overboard if you don’t keep track of your intake. By keeping a log, you will soon discover the high amounts of sodium found in many food and drink items, and what adjustments you need to make.

Keeping a food log helps to put everything about your diet into perspective and keep you on track to meeting your health and wellness goals!

I offer complete coaching and instruction on keeping food logs, reading Nutrition Facts labels, and how it all works within your wellness goals. I even provide my own, custom-made food logs for you to conveniently download and print. Please contact me for a free, no-obligation consultation. ~ Brockton James