Food diaries are used to record what you eat as part of a weight loss program. In addition, you can record into your daily food diary the portion sizes that you eat, the time of day that you eat and the number of calories that your food. However, a daily or weekly food diary can be used for other purposes. One of the other uses for food diary forms is to check for food intolerances and allergies.
Food intolerance vs. food allergies
Food allergies are much more serious than are food intolerances. If you have a food allergy, your body will react as if even the littlest taste of the food is a harmful substance and will kick your immune system into gear. Your immune system will react by producing antibodies to attack the "bad" food. Symptoms of food allergies include hives, itchy skin, breath shortness and chest pain. People are typically allergic to foods such as milk, wheat and peanuts.
Food intolerance is a digestive problem rather than an immune system problem. For example, if your body can't tolerate lactose, a sugar found in dairy products, the lactose will either irritate your digestive system or you will not be able to digest the lactose effectively. Since your body is not as sensitive to food intolerances than it is to food allergies, you can eat more "intolerant" foods before you start experiencing symptoms. Symptoms of food intolerance include diarrhea, gas and headaches. The most common food intolerance involves lactose.
Food allergies affect between roughly two to four percent of all adults and between six and eight percent of all children. More people are affected by food intolerances, roughly ten percent.
Food diary forms for food intolerances and allergies
If you suspect that you have a food intolerance or allergy, consult your physician. You may be asked to keep a daily food diary to help you pinpoint any foods that are causing you trouble.
You may be asked to record the foods that you are eating, the portions involved, the time of day that you are eating the foods, how you feel before you eat the foods and how you feel after you eat them.
If you experience any serious symptoms while you are keeping a daily food diary, contact your doctor immediately.
 | If you are struggling with your weight and want motivation, consider keeping a daily food diary to highlight your successes and things on which you still need to work. |
 | Every person is different, which means every person's diet needs to reflect that individuality. Your diet and weight loss program will differ from others, so it is a good idea to create a custom food diary worksheet to track your diet and exercise. |
 | Food diaries in and of themselves are terrific, but adding exercise to your life and to your daily food diary will give you a more complete picture of your calorie usage and make you healthier at the same time. |
 | Social snacking needn't squash any of your diet hopes. Learn how to diet properly while still maintaining your social graces. |
Emotional eating is a habit, a learned response to emotional triggers that can be unlearned. Learning about emotional eating is an important first step toward stopping emotional eating. |
