What is a Nutrition Journal?
A nutritional journal is used to keep track of what you eat (and what time you eat it). I would recommend using the MyPlate App, which is free to download and use. You can use any type of tracking system you would like (some additional free sample websites have been provided below). What you will need to provide is the food, the amount of food, and the total calories for each thing that you eat. You will also need to total the calories that you consume each day. Keep this journal for a total of three days (two work days and one weekend days). Be sure to keep totals of each column at the end of the day.
Assignment
For this assignment you will need to complete the following:
- Take the My Plate Quiz Links to an external site. online and download a attache a PDF of your results.
- Answer the questions for the MyPlate Plan Links to an external site. online and write how many calories you will need to maintain your current weight AND to achieve healthy weight.
- Using the app, go to MyPlate 101, click on each of the five food
groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy), and
answer the following questions for each group:
- What is the Key Message
- What is the Daily Recommendation for Children 4-8 years old?
- What are four examples of foods that are in this group and what is the serving size that counts as one cup for that food. For example: 1 large banana = 1 cup in the fruit food group
- What are two health benefits that this food group provides
- Track your meals for a minimum of three days and submit in this assignment. You can track your meals using a free app (such as myfitnesspal.com Links to an external site.) or you can simply write down what you ate AND how many calories each item was.
- Go To MyPlate Kitchen Links to an external site. and find one recipe you are going to try before this class is over. Submit the link to that recipe.
Tracking System
Download the MyPlate App Links to an external site. for Apple Links to an external site. or Google Play Links to an external site. or go online to log your meals.
Sample FREE websites that can be used to track information
- MyPlate App Links to an external site.
- My Fitness Pal Recipe Calculator Links to an external site.
- Recipe Nutrition Analyzer Links to an external site.