Have you been asked in the evening what you had for breakfast and you cannot remember? You would not believe how many people do not know what and when they’ve eaten on a certain day. Keeping a food journal is one of the most important habits you can adopt when trying to lose and/or maintain your weight. You should write down everything you eat or drink as a routine, just like brushing your teeth.

Researchers have found that those people who track their food intake typically take in at least 100-150 calories less than a person who does not track their intake even when trying to lose weight. Many different tools are available to track intake including electronic journals such as MyFitnessPal.com or CalorieKing.com. A small notebook and pen will suffice for those that prefer the traditional method or making a spreadsheet to track. Some people will take pictures with their cell phone each time they eat or drink something and then review at the end of the day. Whatever way you prefer is fine. Ultimately, JUST TRACK IT! You’ll be glad that you did.