We would like you to keep a food diary before your appointment with the dietitian. We are asking you to do this because we know that writing down what you eat, drink and even how you feel can help us support you to lose weight.

What is a food diary?

It is where to you record everything you eat or drink in a day. You should start from when you get up and make a note of how food and drinks fit in with your day. Extra details around portion sizes, cooking practices, flavourings added, are helpful when we come to looking over these together. 

Food diary example

Below is an example of the format when you come to enter your food intake in the diary.

Breakfast

30g cornflakes with semi-skimmed milk, white toast (one slice) with margarine and jam.

11am

Takeaway Latte with full fat milk.

Lunch

Meal deal: prawn and mayonnaise sandwich, ‘Popchips’ crisps and a bottle of Diet Coke.

Evening meal

Oven cooked salmon fillet with three boiled potatoes and two serving spoons of steamed broccoli followed by strawberry ‘muller light’ yoghurt.

When do I need to do it?

Before your first appointment with dietitian, please keep a food diary for at least three days.  Some people feel it is helpful to include two weekdays and one weekend day however choose days which best show how foods fit in with your life.

Where do I complete it?

You can put pen to paper and use our food diary (this will be given with this sheet), or you may find it easier to write in the notes section on your phone. There are also free apps where you can record your intake eg. my fitness pal or Nutracheck.

What do I do with it?

Please bring your food diary to your dietitian appointment, where we will discuss it together. In some cases, we may decide together to continue this, to help you make positive changes.