Tracking Foods

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2/8/13 10:11 A

Does anyone know if you can simply add foods in the food tracker without putting in amounts? I get tired of measuring and looking up items, as well as entering all the homemade things I make and trying to calculate serving sizes. I did that for a long time and would just like to log in my general foods I eat for awhile and see if that helps. Such as, a bowl of cereal, milk, coffee, banana. Or small salad, 2 tbsp dressing, slice of bread. I would be more diligent with adding those as opposed to spending a lot of time being detailed about my food intake. I quit doing it simply because it took up too much time. Thanks for your help

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Posts: 197
2/1/13 8:59 P

A friend of mine was successful in losing weight just by writing her foods done, never mind the calories. Recording foods keeps us accountable and more successful.

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Posts: 736
2/1/13 12:34 P

I appreciate the tracker b/c it gives me a mirror image of my actions. Plus, I like the added nutrient measures, although I am still trying to meet the standard amount, such as folate, phosporous and cholesterol, etc.
I enjoyed reading your comments. They were helpful!

current weight: 164.5

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Posts: 44
9/6/12 12:49 P

When I track my food I am more successful at meeting my calorie and nutrition goal. I would say about 75% more successful. And that is the simple truth of the matter.

current weight: 184.5

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8/2/12 1:03 P

I don't always INTEND to stay on the low side of the ranges for calories in. Actually I find I do better (weight comes off and my energy level is better) when I stay in the middle or upper end of the range. Very often, my problem is in finding things I want to eat that are healthy, AND that meet the nutrient requirements for the day. Okay, maybe I am overthinking. I admit I often do NOT really love the idea of the meal suggestions. My husband would guffaw if I put a half a cashew butter sandwich, an apple, and some cottage cheese on a plate for his lunch! Clearly I need to about double portion sizes for him, but also, he quite dislikes some of the foods that are healthy that I like, and, vice versa.

Has anyone figured out a perfect approach to following the SP meal plans somewhat, while also feeding a spouse or significant other who is supportive although not following SP themselves? I definitely could use some ideas!

current weight: 126.0

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7/29/12 3:22 P

I track my meals in advance, sometimes as much as a week. I take advantage of the "groups" and "recipes" tabs as well. I find that putting my meals in before I eat them helps me control what I eat. If I get home at night and what I preplanned doesn't sound good I am always free to switch to something else. After you've been tracking a while you'll know what can substitute and stay close to your original percentages.

I try to stay on the lower end of my calorie budget in case I have an evening where I'm ravenous when I get home. Doesn't happen very often but it's nice to know I have a cushion there if I need it.

current weight: 111.2

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111.2

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7/29/12 2:24 P

I've found the tracker very helpful. I downloaded the app for my phone, so I can always track food (and not forget what/how much I've eaten) throughout the day. Although I'm not 100% hitting the correct balance of carbs/protein/fat. I've made a good start at my goal just following the recommended calorie intake and burning.
I can understand how tracking would be more difficult without reliable internet access or computer usage, but I find the phone app definitely helps me out!

Pounds lost: 35.0

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7/29/12 12:07 P

The tracker has been a a fantastic tool. I have made questionable attempts at keeping a food diary in the past, but of course writing down what you ate is not as accurate a tool as knowing the true nutritional value of what you've eaten. I know it may not seem like a long time but today is day 5 for me and the convenience of the tracker makes it easier.

current weight: 208.0

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Posts: 32
7/28/12 8:48 P

I'm tracking as best I can.

current weight: 199.0

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Posts: 32
7/28/12 8:34 P

Tracking is great! I love that it also calculates your sodium, and much more.

May SparkPoints: 3

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Posts: 1,111
7/28/12 4:12 P

Sometimes if I'm considering a food, I list it in the tracker and see just what calories & nutrients are in it. Then, I can just click on the "See Complete Nutritional Info" and decide whether it's a good idea or not...so, if it's too much salt, cholesterol or "whatever" that will make my decision a wise one.

Edited by: EWL978 at: 7/28/2012 (16:13)

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Posts: 2,118
7/28/12 3:52 P

I love the food tracker. What it's helped me with most is reminding me just how many calories are in that dab of ketchup and the thick layer of peanut butter. It's also a good way of warning yourself that the day's calories are fast running out. For example I had brunch today and ate 1000 calories (please don't ask). So it was a wake-up call to me to be careful for the rest of the day.

Pounds lost: 33.0

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7/28/12 2:37 P

sometimes

Posts: 184
7/28/12 1:18 P

I'm usually approximately in my range, as long as I eat a balanced diet :) Sparkpeople's suggestions for meals help a lot -- I don't always eat their exact meal recommendations, but it helps me think about the kinds of things I should be eating.

For me, I am mostly vegetarian (the only meat I eat is fish, and I usually only eat that a couple times a week.) So, the main thing I focus on is trying to make absolutely sure I get enough protein. Carbs and veggies tend to take care of themselves, because those are the base for most of my meals.

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7/28/12 12:44 P

I really appreciate you sharing. I love the tracker too. My only problem is that I find myself getting so wrapped up in my work that I forget to do it sometimes. However, this time seems a bit different. I like the meal recommendations too. When I first saw them, I was shocked at how much I can eat! I plan to copy the grocery list for next week when I get paid.

current weight: 232.0

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Fitness Minutes: (731)
Posts: 2
7/28/12 10:29 A

Hello
I just star the program last week, the tracker its hard for me because i eating similar food for the food its on the day like they report pork for the day when i had beef sometime they dent have in the tracker to reporter.
this oK.

SparkPoints: (22,918)
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7/27/12 7:58 P

Honestly, I have used all the internet trackers at some point in the past few years. The Spark tracker really is the best one -- it's reliable data, and very easy to use. Best of all, you can put your family recipes in and it will calculate portions and nutrients for your tracker! That's probably one of the best features which normalizes the meals for me. It was also a reality check for the kinds of foods I use to cook with for the family. I have not missed a day of tracking since I began earlier this month. It's comforting to have the science behind the eating plan. I like knowing that I can still enjoy many of the same foods I ate before, and that I can eat with my family, but I just have to make some adjustments in ingredients.

One piece of advice I would share is to enable the suggested meals so you can get an idea of what Spark recommends. Then you can substitute what you have in your pantry or purchase items you actually like to eat that have the same nutritional value.

Have a great Spark journey!!

current weight: 206.0

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Posts: 145
7/27/12 6:43 P

Love the tracker! I use it religiously every day. It helps me in many, many ways. 1. Help in planning the days food, pick them, track them, eat them! 2. Real help in tracking my sodium intake! Wow, I was eating far too much. Now I have it on my radar and can adjust with better food choices for both sodium and potassium! 3. Love the reports over time! Really has helped me shop smarter and cook smarter. I'm eating healthy and saving money, wonderful! 4. I get a real sense of accomplishment when I look at a week's worth of food choices realizing that it's becoming automatic for me to choose healthier foods even when I go out!

Pounds lost: 39.0

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Posts: 375
7/27/12 6:18 P

If you want to finally tell yourself the truth and own what you eat, track it.

Pounds lost: 109.0

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Posts: 953
7/27/12 5:57 P

I used to make excuses for not tracking my food before. Now that I use the tracker, I am so much more mindful of what I eat -- so much more aware. Since I know I will have to account for it, I am very careful of what and how much of the foods I eat. Before, I used to have to go through all the foods in my mind. Now I know these foods are tracked, I'm on target and I don't have to worry anymore. It makes me feel like watching what I eat is worth it. It makes me feel like I'm doing everything I can to watch what I eat.

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Posts: 7
7/27/12 5:33 P

I LOVE the tracker! I think if everyone used this, it would stop almost all excuses. Before I used it , I just got of a piece of paper and kept track of everything I ate for a few days. It was about 3000-4000 calories!!! What an eye-opener. Those little bites while cooking, or just one cookie, or maybe a handful of crackers, really adds up!! You have no one else to blame when its all in your face like that. If I don't feel like writing down what I eat when I'm out, I simply take a picture of it and enter it in later. I think I'd be lost without the food tracker.

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7/27/12 4:37 P

I love Vanillanne's suggestion of taking a photo of the plate when one is out and about. It's so much easier than trying to stop and track at a party or something.

current weight: 162.2

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Posts: 6
7/27/12 1:34 P

Tracking is one of the essentials and keys to success.

SparkPoints: (251,018)
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Posts: 16,098
7/27/12 4:07 A

The nutrition tracker is a must for me, I have been tracking from day one and I have been at my goal for two and a half years now and I still track every day without fail.
It is a real visual of what your eating and I like the fact I can track all the nutrients in the food I eat to make sure I am getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.
Best wishes to everyone on your journey.

current weight: 118.0

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7/27/12 12:31 A

I'm still on my Fast Break, so I'm trying to only worry about the three things I checked at the beginning which were; drinking water, exercising 10 mins everyday, and posting to the message boards. However, I still have been tracking my food. It's helped because I am more mindful of what, where and when I am eating. One of those (probably where I eat) is going to be my next fast streak goal.

current weight: 258.2

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Fitness Minutes: (2,791)
Posts: 74
7/26/12 9:41 P

I have a lot of issues getting enough protein in my diet...planning my foods for the day in advance always helps.

current weight: 209.3

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SparkPoints: (2,810)
Fitness Minutes: (851)
Posts: 3
7/26/12 6:06 P

great idea! Thank you for sharing it.

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Posts: 842
7/26/12 5:35 P

I find the graphs and reports to be helpful...I tend to balance out over a week in regards to protein and fiber requirements. Knowing that within a week all my required nutrients are working out helps me stay positive.

I am basically learning how to eat by tracking.

Pounds lost: 28.9

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Posts: 162
7/26/12 4:52 P

Tracking my food here on Spark has been such an eye opener--I used to eat however and whenever the mood struck... and it struck often! lol! No more mindless nibbling now. I try to track as I go. When I'm out and about, I take a picture of the food on my plate with my cell phone, so I don't forget what I had. This worked well when I was on day trips or vacation and not on the computer.

Tracking makes me really aware of the 'value' of the foods I pick.

-anne

Pounds lost: 13.0

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Fitness Minutes: (39,296)
Posts: 23
7/26/12 4:48 P

I like tracking my food just for me. I am not cheating anyone but myself if I don't enter what I have eaten but also there is no one criticizing me for eating too much or the wrong stuff. I just enter what I have eaten and actually when I know I am in the calorie range then I shows on the scales.

current weight: 134.0

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Posts: 1,111
7/26/12 9:38 A

I'm an "old" bookkeeper (whatever that means) and as soon as I saw the nutrition tracker I felt like I was "home"... I dug in and started posting to it immediately and did it happily. It was as if I had found a new job in my chosen occupation!! I follow my calorie counter religiously and now, I just need to motivate myself to do the same with exercise!! Great Place, Spark.com.

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Posts: 159
7/26/12 9:11 A

I love the idea of using the food tracker, I also have a food journal(the old fashion kind....its paper) that I use in case I am not able to get on the computer or have no service on my phone. This helps me more than I thought it would. I find myself almost studying food so I will make the right choices through out the day so my tracker won't "look" so bad.

May Minutes: 120

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7/25/12 7:32 P

I track my food all the time because I find you eat less when you know you will be held accountable by the TRACKER. lol I know it sounds silly but that is true for me. I do not like or understand the meal suggestions I am like the lady below sometimes I choose to block out what was suggested So I track but I create my own meals I never used sp suggested meals. I just turned off that feature all together.

Pounds lost: 19.8

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Posts: 290
7/25/12 4:34 P

@ getittogether I keep a little pocket spiral notebook on me at all times and I write my food down, then at the end of the day or when I have a minute, I program all the foods into the tracker. This is more effective for me because when I write it down, I can write down the times and look at it and know if I need a snack or if it is time for a meal. I track in the spark page as well to keep up with calorie counts. I got really serious about this a week ago and I have already lost 2.8 pounds

current weight: 184.2

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SparkPoints: (10,744)
Fitness Minutes: (3,476)
Posts: 270
7/25/12 3:33 P

It's a tool, like any other. Some people find it useful and some don't. I find it helps me to mentally process my food choices. For example, I went "off program" last night and just wanted to eat a late night snack. I did, but when I went to track, I found had really only added 250 calories to my day. (Luckily the crackers I chose to eat were whole grain, seeded things that fill you up quickly.) So, some of my guilt was allieviated. Now I am better focused. It also has helped me to learn to judge correct portion sizes.

current weight: 162.2

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Posts: 21
7/25/12 2:42 P

Everything in moderation, a common saying with the food we eat can be used here regarding the steps we take toward a healthier lifestyle. The main goal, it seems to me, of tracking food is to realize just how much we are eating without realizing it. A couple of tricks I did when I started was to track my meal before I ate it. That way it was done and I didn't have to think about tracking during my food coma after my meal. Also, I was more cognizant while I ate and most of the time would not eat the entire meal. Thus, I would go back to my tracker to make the necessary adjustments which resulted in creating more of a habit. Win-Win! I have also maintained a small notebook before devoted to tracking. I would just keep it open at my desk or right by my checkbook and mark everything I ate. That way, I only had to do it on the computer once a day.

Good luck! You'll do great!

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Posts: 32
7/25/12 9:41 A

Tracking really helps, and I've put some of my favorite recipes as groupings into my nutrition tracker so I can add the whole meal quickly.

current weight: 199.0

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Posts: 84
7/25/12 5:30 A

I would like input about Casein protein. Do you recommend it?


Thank You!

Edited by: LSHARP02 at: 7/26/2012 (12:23)

Total SparkPoints: 6,516

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SparkPoints: (1,159)
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Posts: 9
7/25/12 5:03 A

Some of the meal suggestions are a bit bizzare so I mix it up a bit and add things I like which if the tracker suggest it may be a bit harsh I change it for something more suitable it generally keeps me on track. Not bad idea.
I would like a bit of variation to the main meal things they have listed though. Bit boring.

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Posts: 9
7/25/12 4:58 A

Just remember muscle is heavier than fat and as you tone up muscle will be made and fat will go resulting in toned body and at first heavier but this will balance out eventually keep up the good work.

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Posts: 740
7/24/12 9:03 P

I have not been sucessful tracking food. It seems that i cannot stick with it.

Pounds lost: 11.0

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Fitness Minutes: (5,711)
Posts: 214
7/24/12 8:25 P

I really find the tracker helpful, especially the daily reports. I have learned that I usually skimp on daily protein, and I know that when I get hungry late in the evening it's usually that lack of protein that's the culprit. Using the tracker is helping me think more about how I can get lean protein into the mix.

Has anyone else fooled around with the meal suggestions? I think some of 'em are just sort of odd. Bologna and cucumber -- how do you eat that? And there's a rice dish on the menu sometimes that I tried one day, but absolutely did NOT think was a very good "meal" choice. I think it's like rice with almonds, though I can't exactly recall it. (Probably I've blocked it from memory ).

I have the suggestions turned on, but tend to use them as suggestions if I am stumped for how to eat at a given meal. I usually do not end up eating the suggestion meal (and I refuse to log "water with lemon" or "decaf coffee" at all!). I'm flexible about tracking I guess.

current weight: 126.0

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Fitness Minutes: (4,377)
Posts: 56
7/24/12 8:21 P

I am diabetic. I found that when I track, it keeps me very aware of what I am eating. Therefore this helps me keep my sugars in order. I can go back and see what I ate that caused a sugar spike, or a low. Then I can adjust my food intake according to my results. I also track my exercise and this allows me to set goals for myself to increase my exercise or change it up a bit.

Pounds lost: 62.0

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Fitness Minutes: (29,196)
Posts: 470
7/24/12 4:56 P

I find I stay more honest by using the tracker. Plus, I am really paying better attention to how I feel based on what I ate - just fruit for breakfast and I could eat my arm by lunch - but add in protein and I am just fine,

Pounds lost: 11.6

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SparkPoints: (1,363)
Fitness Minutes: (46)
Posts: 7
7/24/12 4:54 P

My favorite tool on Sparks is the nutrition tracker. Since I have the app on my phone it really is quite painless inputting the info. I like being able to analyze what ate at the end of the day - not just in terms of calories - but protein versus carbs - as well as fiber intake.

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SparkPoints: (1,171)
Fitness Minutes: (220)
Posts: 45
7/24/12 4:41 P

As soon as I think I can do it without tracking - it comes back to bite me!

current weight: 158.0

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SparkPoints: (43,762)
Fitness Minutes: (28,289)
Posts: 883
7/24/12 2:39 P

It seems that the first few days are difficult but as time goes on you get use to tracking, I have to say I'm addicted to my tracker now and also it gets easier to estimate the portions when eating out. I also read that if you are eating out take a picture of your plate with your phone so you can accurately record your meal when you can get to your computer (I have not done this, but it sounds like a good idea if you are having problem remembering your meal).
Or you can log in your phone while at the restaurant (Guilty, done this)....I know if you are with not so close friends or family this might get a little obsessive. Bottom line you do what works for you and tracking is one of the most eye opener I have found in this program.

current weight: 173.5

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SparkPoints: (12,961)
Fitness Minutes: (8,662)
Posts: 504
7/24/12 2:28 P

I plan my breakfasts and lunches out for the week. This saves time because they are usually the same for the whole week so I put them in my favorites. I usually plan my dinners but change them up. I love the recipe calculator for that.

current weight: 145.0

173 163.5 154 144.5

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SparkPoints: (14,974)
Fitness Minutes: (25,449)
Posts: 565
7/24/12 12:09 P

i do a mental tracking of how much water i drink and how much fruit or veggies, but i don't bother writing it down.

current weight: 110.8

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SparkPoints: (3,694)
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Posts: 205
7/24/12 10:36 A

I find it really helps me. If I am busy for the day, and don't enter in what I ate, then do it later I sometimes go over with what I should be eating. It also has made me more aware about getting enough protein, as that seems to be an issue for me. I am not a huge meat eater. The more I enter in the foods I eat, the better I get at monitoring it on my own with portion control and the types of foods I eat. I have cut down from a lot of seemingly "innocent" foods that I would put into my mouth before. You know... "Oh this one little slice of cheese on the go is no big deal" until you put it into your tracker and find out you could have made better choices to keep within range.

Pounds lost: 24.0

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SparkPoints: (13,820)
Fitness Minutes: (19,582)
Posts: 1,187
7/24/12 10:22 A

I have gotten back into my exercise routine in recent weeks, but I have yet to lose any weight and am actually gaining weight. While this is disappointing, I already know the culprit - my poor eating habits. I have started getting a salad for at least one meal a day, but my dinners are out of control. I am starting to realize that I don't track when I am too embarassed to put in there.When I know I am eating balanced meals, it is no big deal to load it into my tracker. So, in a way, the tracker helps me want to make better choices so that I won't be embarassed to put them on there.

current weight: 140.8

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Posts: 233
7/24/12 12:52 A

I try to track everything I put in my mouth. I definitely track the big meals but sometimes I forget to track the snacks. I am getting better with this though!!

It's definitely making me more conscious of my caloric intake. Thanks Sparkpeople!! I didn't track my food until I joined.

Pounds lost: 21.8

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SparkPoints: (45,687)
Fitness Minutes: (33,120)
Posts: 2,440
7/23/12 8:08 P

I track everything I put in my mouth - even vitamins! It helps me hit some of the other nutrients I have been missing for years.

But tomorrow, I am cooking a STEAK. I want my red meat now!!

current weight: 233.0

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Posts: 448
7/23/12 7:40 P

I tracked faithfully for a long time then I got really bored with it. I started up again because I knew I had lost my focus. It bores me but I gotta do it

SparkPoints: (3,099)
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Posts: 90
7/23/12 4:02 P

I like to plan my meals out the day before. If I change my mind it is easy to adjust so it is no biggie. I usually make sure I leave extra because I know I will probably want a snack or something.

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7/23/12 12:04 P

HISPIRIT1 1.25/week is awesome, you should be proud of yourself. I find steady off stays off. Way to go!

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Posts: 2
7/23/12 11:54 A

Try putting the foods in before you eat. Sometimes I even change my mind on eating something when I have to log it in or I reduce the amount once I see the values of it. I also do not track on busy days, I fine it is ok to miss a few here and there, just do not over eat those days. I am planning to do this for a while so the odd day out is better than not sticking with it long term. After over a year of keeping an extra 10 lbs on I have lost 6 since April. Off slow and steady stays off for me. It works stick with it. The tracker helps show me where I go over and why I was not changing my weight over time. I do feel better with those few lbs gone, clothes fit better, energy is better, and these results help motivate me to do my recording.

Posts: 199
7/23/12 10:30 A

I'm diabetic, so I use the diabetes module. It's really useful because it breaks my totals down into ranges for three meals and two snacks. I usually try to come in a little low on my dinner range because sometimes a snack just before bed keeps my morning blood sugar in check.

current weight: 239.2

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Posts: 242
7/23/12 2:58 A

Most of the time I track morning and lunch as I eat, however, I may track supper / snacks before I eat, inorder to manage not going over my daily totals.

Pounds lost: 0.4

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SparkPoints: (16,598)
Fitness Minutes: (12,973)
Posts: 379
7/22/12 11:27 P

I usually track breakfast and lunch during my morning work break and track dinner after dinner. If I've been a little low on calories, I reward myself with a small glass of wine.

current weight: 158.8

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Posts: 64
7/22/12 9:14 P

i really like that you can go in and fill in for the day before. I have evening events that make taking the time a real headache. On other plans it really bummed me that I couldn't go back the next morning when I had the time. It is always better if I can do it the same day because then I can up my protein or fiber with an evening snack. But it is nice to have the choice.

current weight: 157.0

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132

SparkPoints: (5,768)
Fitness Minutes: (8,319)
Posts: 129
7/22/12 4:35 P

I love tracking my foods with the food tracker. It is the only thing that works for me to lose weight. I have tried everything!! When I track my food, everything else falls into place naturally! That being said, I am normally below what SP recommends for carbs each day, because it works for me. I am not a huge amount under but maybe 1-3. :) Good luck and keep on tracking your food. BTW the iphone app definitely helps :)

current weight: 247.0

269 251.5 234 216.5

199

Posts: 3,000
7/22/12 8:25 A

Thank HEAVEN for the nutrition tracker. Every time I think about a binge or a splurge, I think about how I'm going to feel when I put it into the tracker and, most of the time, it's enough to stop me.

Now... to the original question... I just try to be in the range suggested by SP. However, I do tend to be on the low end on carbs. This is because I stopped eating starches as a side dish at every meal. In other words, no side of rice, pasta, sliced breat, or anything like that. If the starch is a major ingredient in the main course (red beans and rice, fajitas, and such), then I don't worry about it. And I get plenty of carbs between meals by eating fruit to put me into the low end of the healthy range. This approach seems to help reduce inflamation... the parts of my body that used to hurt a lot when I ran too much (hip, knee, and heels), no longer hurt!

current weight: 155.0

194 182.25 170.5 158.75

147

Posts: 427
7/22/12 8:19 A

This is the only way I can be successful. It takes some time to personalize all your favorite foods but after is so easy!

current weight: 190.6

195 181.25 167.5 153.75

140

SparkPoints: (10,964)
Fitness Minutes: (2,416)
Posts: 7
7/21/12 1:22 P

The nutrition and fitness tracker are sooo beneficial for me. Being retired enables me to get on my tracker several times a day. I have added vegies and fruits to my snacks before I get hungry. Between that and drinking water and herbal tea, I rarely get hungry. That way I don't grab something unhealthy. I don't stock many unhealthy foods. I will buy cookies when the grandchildren come and let them eat the whole package over the course of the day. After supper I check to see what I need to fill out my minimum needs. It is usually protein or fat. I will eat a boiled egg, peanut butter or nuts to boost my nutrition. If I am hungry I put the boiled egg on a salad. I dread the day I hit a plateau because my slow and steady losing really keeps me motivated.



Edited by: DIANNEJEANINE at: 7/21/2012 (13:23)

current weight: 145.0

174 166.75 159.5 152.25

145

Posts: 631
7/21/12 1:00 P

You could start by using SP meal plans to give you an idea how SP has balanced the carbs/protein/fat. Then you can substitute some of SP's choices for foods you prefer.

current weight: 136.6

138 134.75 131.5 128.25

125

SparkPoints: (12,064)
Fitness Minutes: (6,605)
Posts: 672
7/21/12 6:58 A

I usually track my foods after I've eaten, but I've found that if I'm unsure about something, if I track before I eat it, I can make better choices. I don't concern myself to a great deal with the Spark People recommended breakdowns....I eat according to an entirely different way of eating (paleo/primal), so my macronutrient numbers are always different from what SP recommends. That said, I do find tracking valuable at this point in my journey, as I'm pretty new to this way of eating, and like to see how it all shakes out in the end. I can see what works, which foods are better than others for whatever reason, and I have a better idea of knowing what sorts of foods I need to eat each day, and how much of those foods.