Dr Mosley recommends to “keep a detailed daily diary for at least a week before you start, to help identify any pattern in relation to diet and other factors…” (p.187)

“Ideally keep the diary going throughout the programme … A diary will help you be systematic and focussed in your approach. If you see a professional, you will also have useful information available.” (p.188)

I hope this thread will encourage and support diary keeping and analysis. Please post your hints, tips, ideas, successes, failures, short cuts, general questions related to the food and symptom diary here! Pretty please?!

Q. How detailed should the diary be?

A. Include as much information about your diet, lifestyle and health as possible/ practical. Sometimes patterns can only be seen after a few weeks or by a fresh pair of eyes (health professional, trusted friend or relative, future you).

The official ‘Clever Guts’ daily diary (p.266-267 or download from this site) includes the *quantity* of each food or drink, the *time* of each meal, snack and symptom, linked *lifestyle and health* factors.

Carry your diary – paper and pen or electronic log – everywhere, and note every nibble, bite, sip and snack *as you go*. Research suggests we underestimate, overestimate or forget if logging at a later time or date.

Ideally record the weight or volume of each food and drink item: this may mean carrying a small kitchen scale, measuring spoons and/ or measuring cups!

Q. How do I deal with the odd looks and funny comments from my relatives/ coworkers/ teammates when measuring and logging?

A. Blame your doctor/ dietician/ life partner/ kids school project/ a drunken bet/ personal trainer/ sports coach/ spiritual guru … whatever gets you through.

*Please chime in with your shortcuts and solutions!*

In ‘The Fast Diet’ Dr Mosley points out that “Logging consumption seems to heighten awareness; the simple act of quantifying incoming food (and, don’t forget, drink) seems to strengthen your hand.” (p.121)

This holds true for lifestyle habits too (physical activity/ sleep/ relaxation/ eating slowly and mindfully/ smoking/ alcohol).

Whether or not maintaining your diary alters your diet choices and daily habits, log that. Take photographs of packaging, scribble cryptic notes, copy and paste from grocery store or manufacturers websites, start a blog or diary thread on these forums …