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Food is necessary for your survival. It can make you very, very
healthy or very, very ill. So how do you determine how what goes into
your body affects what comes out of it?
Keeping a food log can help you see how your diet choices affect
your body. The chart below is an example of a food log. Simply
record what you eat, when you eat it and how it makes you feel.
Look for patterns of feeling good or bad – physically and mentally –
after eating certain foods and be sure to list the foods you can
eat at all levels of health in the
stoplight plan. Pay close attention to the extra
ingredients in processed foods. You never know what irritant or
helper might be lurking among all those many, many names. Your food
log will be useful in pinpointing problem foods
or foods that make
symptoms worse.
If you determine what to avoid, consider asking about hidden
ingredients in food ordered in restaurants. If you clearly
communicate your intolerance to certain ingredients, many dishes can
be prepared exactly how you need them, and you can figure out which
menu items are just right for quick ordering.
Sample food log
 Download
food log
(pdf)
|
Date |
Time |
Food eaten |
Reaction or symptom,
including mood |
Time of reaction |
|
9/10 |
7:35 a.m. breakfast |
Egg w/pita bread |
None; didn't feel as tired |
10 a.m. |
| |
11:30 a.m. lunch |
Chicken soup and 1/2 banana |
Little gas; need more energy |
12:30 p.m. |
| |
7 p.m. dinner |
Burger |
Woke up for BM; mood down |
3 a.m. |
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