The Dairy Diaries: Keeping Track of Healthy Eating Habits 

Wouldn’t it be great to have your own personal chef? Eating a more nutritious diet would be such a breeze with someone else doing the shopping and cooking! It’s a fun fantasy to entertain, I agree. But I’m more of a take charge kind of gal. I actually like deciding my dining destiny and knowing what foods work for me, my lifestyle, and eating preferences.

The best way that I’ve found to better understand my eating habits is to keep a daily diary or journal of sorts. I’d like to think that my memory is good enough but truth be told, I need to write things down if I want the information to stick. The simple act of jotting my thoughts and actions down in one place makes it easy to see patterns, make adjustments, and track success. The more you know, the more you can take control.

Here are some questions to consider when writing in your food diary. The information can help you to see the big picture and guide you to a more nutritious way of eating and living.

What Are Your Nutritional Goals?
It’s not enough to think your goals. You have to write them down. Putting your goals on paper clears up your objectives and helps put focus on the end result. You can even chart them online! Check out MyPyramid.com for tools to assess your food intake and physical activity.

As you track your eating, take stock of how you’re doing on a regular basis and make adjustments as necessary. Don’t beat yourself up over a single bad day. Heck, we all have them. Instead, be mindful of what you’re eating in the big picture and don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for smart choices made along the way.

What Did You Eat Today?
Write down everything you eat and drink every single day and soon you’ll see if you’re coming up short in any particular food group or category. I make it a priority of mine to get at least three servings of dairy per day, which is easy enough when milk, cheese, and yogurt can be found in so many delicious snacks and dishes like refreshing smoothies, creamy soups, and tasty dips. Just knowing that you’ll have to record each bite later will give you pause the next time you reach mindlessly for the junk food or go for seconds when you ought not to.

How Did You Feel Today?
In addition to what you eat, make note of how certain foods affect your mood and energy level throughout the day. In my on going effort to eat a daily breakfast, I’ve discovered the wonders of oatmeal—made even more nutritious and delicious with the addition of warm milk, fruits, and nuts—in providing steady oomph throughout the morning. I’ve also discovered yogurt to be the perfect post-work snack for me because it tides me over until dinner without leaving me feeling sluggish for my workout.

Start your diary today! There’s no better time than the present. And remember, it’s a diary so nobody’s going to be reading it but you. If you feel like sharing more than just your eating habits, well, that’s just fine too.

Judiaann Woo, a professional foodie and former pastry chef, is editor-in-chief  PastryScoop.com, a free online resource based at The French Culinary Institute in New York City. She is also a contributing editor for Food Arts magazine.