Eating Disorders Support Group

A food diary is a good thing to do, it will help in future when you decide ( or are mandated) to see a nutritionist. It's a great way to see your eating patterns. Just be sure to keep it a positive thing, don't let it become a tool that you emotionally beat yourself up with.Good luck:)

A food diary is a GREAT way to look at behaviors and emotions and it helps map your journey. You best do it with a nutritionist that specializes in EDs, meeting as often as you can, and by working with someone you get to see how, what, when you eat affects the ED tremendously

For me, I can't do this. With OCD, making lists, counting things, stuff like that become compulsions extremely fast. So, I'd say that if it seems compulsive, stop. Otherwise I think Analee is dead on. As long as you aren't beating yourself up with it, maybe it will help.

Brilliant goal and one that will surely help you. The Food and Feelings Workbook by Karen Koenig, is also a useful tool. You could also start by making comfortable food lists and experiment with making meal plans with these, you will be suprised at how this works and then when you are ready go see a dietician to address nutritional elements. WELL DONE YOU xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Personally when my ED was at it's worst 3 years ago, I kept a food diary. I recorded every calorie up to a piece of gum. It was a very obsessive thing for me... The worst part was that a friend found it one day and became really worried about me, and started hounding me about why I was doing this and started telling me that I was the thinnest person he knew etc etc. It made me feel even worse knowing someone found my secret... Now I just keep track in my head, and I haven't been able to not count calories for years...

It's up to you, but it definitely just fueled my ED.

I used to keep a food diary - to try and make sure I was eating enough, but it became obssessive and I used it as a way to count calories and make sure I wasnt eating too much - which in reality was very little. It did work in the beginning though, before ED took over again

i use to keep a diary. it was really helpful to start with but then it got to the point where i couldnt go to bed without making sure it was totally completed, then it made me feel bad about what i had or even hadnt eaten.i was thinking about food 24/7 so i just stopped. If you can make it work for yo then it can be a helpful tool especially if you have someone to talk with about it. x x x

it helps me. actually i do it online at www.thedailyplate.com because i can record exercise in the same place. i can also set a calorie goal and it counts down for me, adjusts for exercise and has a great database w/ the calories for almost everything under the sun.

my ED is "just" bingeing, so the OCD/control issues aren't a problem for me -- although my DH will tell you i'm anal -- actually if my internet is down, i jump back into denial with both feet "if i can't log it, it won't count!" and run for the chips. so it really helps me stay accountable.

I have to keep one and hate it. Only way I can manage is being vague def not putting cals on. I used to do one for myself that helped me restrict. This one is for my therapist and I to analyse my eating and feelings.

I am a binge eater / compulsive overeater and my therapist highly suggested keeping a food log. So far it has worked out well. I don't always stay under the calories I should but I am trying. It actually makes me feel better (not so depressed) logging my food.