You'll often hear dietitians recommend you keep a food journal when you're trying to lose weight or control your blood sugar. We know you're busy, so we wouldn't ask you to add any more work to your already busy day unless it was worth it. If you bite it, you should write it. Here's why:

1. It makes you aware of your eating habits. The only way you'll ever make any changes in your food habits is by paying attention to them. If you have to think before you pop those M&Ms in your mouth, you may be less likely to do it.
2. It lets you know what you're missing. If you look over your food diary, you may notice you're eating too much of some foods and not enough of others. In general, most of us could use more vegetables.
3. It keeps you honest. If you truly want to improve your diet, you'll have to be honest. Keeping a food diary makes you accountable for what you've eaten.
4. It works. Research studies have found that dieters keeping a food journal are more likely to lose weight than those who don't.
5. We're going to ask for one. In order for us to help you clean up your plate, we have to know what's on it first! So please, keep a food diary.

.