Monday, January 18, 2016

Keeping a Food Diary: Day 3

I finally decided to do something about my nutrition. Reading labels and choosing proper foods has become increasingly difficult for me. Getting the proper about of protein by the end of the day was the biggest puzzle. I searched online for the best food diary and MyFoodDiary was far and away the best one.

I was surprised when I went to download it to see I already had it. I honestly don't remember paying and downloading it but I guess I did so all I had to do was put the app back on my iPhone. I had to do the normal things like get a user name and password, etc. Then I had to put in personal information like weight (ugh), desired weight, height, age, and I don't remember what else. So I did it. Then it told me how many calories I was to consume daily.

Well. I love it. I am supposed to get down to my desired weight in 4 months losing 1 pound a week. But that's not the best part. It turned out to be pretty easy to identify the foods I am eating. There is a barcode scanner for purchased foods. So easy. Then you just have to put in the amount ie: 1 cup, 1 slice, 1 tablespoon, etc. For whole foods like apples, oranges, bananas, avocados. etc. there is a food search. Also very easy. It remembers things you have already scanned too.

The best part is it tracks the nutritional values of the foods consumed. 

I had a smoothie this morning. Here's what I put in my blender: 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, 1 cup greek yogurt, 3/4 cup frozen organic blueberries, one slice canned pineapple in juice with no added sugar, and 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal. Here is the nutritional values for this delicious drink:

Now isn't this wonderful? I have already changed one bad habit. Yesterday I put half and half in my coffee and it was graded a D food. Soy milk is an A graded food so I put two tablespoons in each cup and avoided the bad fat. I hope to get my cholesterol down too thru diet. I'm not even putting an emphasis on losing weight either. I am also trying to increase my bone density without drugs. If the astronauts can increase theirs in 6 weeks after returning to earth, I should be able to increase mine in 9 months when I am due for another bone scan. Fingers crossed.

So far, I have been doing this on my iPhone exclusively but there is also an online website. Learn all about it here. I don't know if there is a charge for online use as with the iPhone app. Wish me luck!!!

11 comments:

MrsB said...

I've been using Lose It on my Android phone. Have lost 30 lbs since July 2015.
Keeping track of what we eat makes all the difference.
Son HAD to lose weight after a scare with afib and he's lost 50 lbs since July. We both walk A LOT and that makes a big difference too.

It's actually been painless. Still have "room" for Lindt dark chocolate with orange daily. Antioxidents, doncha know. 😊

Content in a Cottage said...

MrsB....Thanks. That sounds encouraging. I'm finding my journey painless too. I think real food that is nutritious is keeping away my food cravings. I was dreading keeping a food diary but it's actually fun doing it on my iPhone.
xo, Rosemary

Nan said...

For many, many years I have put a teaspoon of Dolomite powder in my morning yogurt or smoothie. It has both calcium and magnesium. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/kal-dolomite-powder-1-lb-powder/ka-1135#.Vp0lGvHtIww

From everything I've read, paying attention to what we eat is so important. Good luck! I'm sure you will have great success.

Linda Sand said...

Research has proven that those who track their food do a better job of losing weight plus keeping it OFF! Glad you found an app that works for you.

The Queen Vee said...

We are doing the same thing Rosemary, eating less and trying to make our calories count which means eating healthy food. Eating, remaining fit and trying to stay off medications is a challenge as we age.

Much to my disappointment and efforts to lower my cholesterol I had to go on a statin a few years ago. I also take a medication which leaches out calcium from my bones, I have to take it so to keep from having to go on bone meds I do strength training at my local gym. I also try to walk/jog 15 miles a week. I'm not always successful but so far successful enough to not have to take bone density drugs.

Thanks for the info on the app you are using, I think I will look into it. It's going to take me 4 months also to shed the pounds that I feel I need to. I know for me that watching calories and also exercising is the key for me to be successful.

May the Force be with both of us in our efforts, we can do it!

BarbV said...

Hi Rosemary,
My doc wanted me to reduce my LDL and I didn't want to take a statin. She recommended red yeast rice tablets (2 a day) and I started eating a half of an avocado 3-4 times a week, based on recent news about their LDL-lowering properties. In 4 months, my LDL dropped 40 points without any other changes. Good luck!

Content in a Cottage said...

The Queen Vee and EVERYONE
Victoria.....I refuse to take any bone medication without trying to increase my bone density through diet and exercise. So far so good with my food diary app. I'm on day 5 and I have not felt hungry even once. It's all about getting the proper nutrition and having an app to track it for you. I am thrilled.
I found this website call SAVE OUR BONES.
http://saveourbones.com/are-nasas-suggestions-on-how-to-increase-bone-density-correct/
It is based on what NASA does for the astronauts. I haven't had much time to study it but I'm positive this is the answer. Look into it and maybe you can throw away your meds.
My bones are still good but my new OBGYN told me that after looking at my scans my lower back has decreased 14% and she wanted to start me on meds. I looked into them but decided to see what I could do by myself until my next scan is due in September. 2016 is my year to get healthy through proper nutrition. I don't know why I've waited so long!!!
xo, Rosemary

The Queen Vee said...

Rosemary, those bone density meds scare me and I've determined I will never take them. For years now I've been diligently taking calcium with Vit D three times a day then this past year I read a couple of studies where they determined that the calcium wasn't doing a bit of good for bone density and that it could actually be harmful even causing cancer. I've stopped taking the combined calcium/Vit D and now just take 4000 IU of Vit D. I do feel that the Vit D has made a difference.

I'm checking out the Save Our Bones info and along with apples I'll eat more avocados....yum!

Content in a Cottage said...

Victoria...Change your vitamin D to vitamin D3.
That's the vitamin you get from the sun.
You should get some naturally by going outside for 15 minutes in the morning without sunscreen.
xo, Rosemary

BarbV said...

Adding one piece of info that I heard lately. If you take calcium and D3, you also need vitamin
K2. The D3 helps the calcium be absorbed, but doesn't tell it where to absorb so it will go into your bloodstream, hence the heart issues. The K2 directs the calcium to your bones, where you want it to go!

Content in a Cottage said...

BarbV.
THANK YOU! I have never even heard of K2 but I will look for when I go blizzard shopping today. Together, we are all going to get our old bones back to normal and I am very excited about this challenge. I think doctors want us to "live with" bad test results so they can write prescriptions for drugs that won't cure us but keep us coming back. I am totally against this practice and prefer to treat myself with food and exercise and good nutrition first. I am sure I will win. I feel better already!!!
xo, Rosemary