Tracking daily food intake

[Kimmes 38]

Greetings!

I have learned so much from so many people on this site - I want to say thank you! My surgery is scheduled for Jan 6th and it seems like a lifetime away!

Tiffykins had some great advise for me as I prepare my body both physically and mentally for the change that is going to take place. She told me to start now

eating Proteins first at each meal. Not drinking with my meals and just generally start eating like I will after surgery. Great advise!

As I read I see some people track/log every bit of food that passes their lips (at least until they make goal and some even after). I would like to get opinions on exactly what is most important to track. I assume it is Protein, carbs and calories. So many of you have been so successful, I want to learn from those who are successfully working towards goal or have met goal. What do you track and where do you track it? I have hear some people use sparkpeople, fatsecret, fitday and myplate. What do you use and why.

Sorry for so many questions. I want to make my goal and I think I can get some really good advise from those who have gone before me. Thanks in advance for your help. This site has been a great source of information, I appreciate all opinions!

Kim,

[Tiffykins 672]

myfitnesspal.com was by far my favorite calorie counter. It also offers a smart phone free app so I can take it with me on the go and it syncs up with my online version without having to plug my phone into the pc.

I only guidelines for calories, Protein and carbs. Fats were not a concern because we're eating minimal portions, and some fat is necessary for healthy body functions.

[MaceoMack 0]

myfitnesspal.com was by far my favorite calorie counter. It also offers a smart phone free app so I can take it with me on the go and it syncs up with my online version without having to plug my phone into the pc.

I only guidelines for calories, Protein and carbs. Fats were not a concern because we're eating minimal portions, and some fat is necessary for healthy body functions.

I am pre-op and hopefully will get a surgery date this week when I have my surgical consultation with my surgeon at Kaiser.

Throughout the 12 week Options program (which I completed on 9/21), the focus was on daily calorie count, and I logged everything that I consumed.

The first half of the course, the calorie range was between 1700-2000 a day. For the second part of the program, the range was 1300-1500.

A minimum of 70 grams of Protein per day was required.

During the Options course, I lost 32 pounds.

Post Options, I still watch everything I eat, staying mostly with the 1300-1500 calories and 70 grams of protein.

[laylasmojo 10]

I use myfitnesspal.com It is really easy to use, you can set your goals and it allready has so many foods in the system and if it is not there you can add them. I track Cal protien fat and carbs. Good luck with your pre op and your post op you are doing the right thing trying to prepare as much as you can pre op I am sure you will do just great with your loss.

[M2G 1,836]

http://caloriecount.about.com

Is what I use. It's free and right now it helps me keeping track of Protein as I'm still eating mushies, so my food is very limited. You can tag items that you use frequently for easier access. It also has a recipe analyzer, you can put in the ingredients/quantities of a recipe and it will calculate the nutrition.