The Many Uses of a Calorie Counter

A mobile food tracker has numerous benefits and uses that can help people lose weight. It’s been shown that people who use a journal to keep track of the calories that they consume lose twice as much weight as those who do not. That’s a pretty significant number, and has been backed up by scientific evidence. Your calorie counting program could be online, on your mobile device, or a notebook and a calculator, but whichever way you count your calories, you are more likely to lose weight than people who do not. Along with an increased chance of weight loss, there are numerous other benefits to counting your calories and using a tracking program.

Many online calorie counters have an extensive food database. These are vast listings of almost every type of food out there, including meals served in chain restaurants, and the nutrition content per serving. This tool can be invaluable for not only getting an accurate calorie and nutrient count quickly and easily for what you have already consumed, but it’s a great tool for finding healthy snack and food alternatives, especially when you are eating out. Since eating out at restaurants can always be a bit tricky when it comes to calories, you should attempt to go in already knowing what you are going to order or with another calorie saving strategy in hand.

Another great use of the food diary is the ability to keep a log of your weight and measurements on a regular basis. You should weigh in at least once a week and track your progress in your journal. Many people find that weighing themselves regularly helps them to stay on par with a weight loss plan. That’s because when you are able to see when you’ve gained a pound or lost a pound you become more aware of your progress and can make any needed corrections if you aren’t quite where you wanted to be. It’s a lot easier to make corrections when a gain is caught early than when it’s missed for some time.

Your food journal is also a wonderful way to track other nutrients and movement to gain an overall health picture. Many online journals include places to track your water intake, nutrients, exercise, medications, and much more. These are great tools that can be used for a lifelong commitment to better health as well as weight loss when needed. If you are concerned about your vitamin and nutrient levels, you can track your intake of major nutrients and keep yourself on a course to overall healthy living.