Food journaling

My mom and I have decided to exchange daily food journals as a means of keeping track of what we eat. Every night, we exchange an e-mail recapping all the food and drink we've consumed.

We have different goals. Mine is to lose a few pounds, hers to get her cholesterol under control. Although it's only been a few days, keeping the journals has already started to have a good effect on me.

I used to steal a snack here and there without giving it much thought. But now that I have to record every bite, I haven't been snacking as much. Faced with the hassle of taking notes throughout the day or trying to recall all my snacks come evening, I find I'd rather not have the snacks after all.

Also, it's embarrassing to have someone else know just how many random string cheeses, chips, or pieces of candy I might eat on a given day.

I find I'm also less likely to grab a late-night snack after dinner (I know, I snack a lot!) like tea and a cookie, because my nightly e-mail has already been sent.

Another bonus: I like to see what other people eat. And I've always admired my mom's way of eating, which is simple and full of enjoyment.

A sample of our food journal exchanges:

Mine:

5-inch piece of baguette, with thin scrape of butter
1 small piece Jarslberg cheese
1 soft-boiled egg
6 baby carrots
Black tea

Bento box -

Rice, Asian greens, 1 small chicken thigh,

1 small piece salmon, Tofu skin/mushroom/carrot stir fry

Grapes and blueberries

1 small can V8

4 slices mango

2 slices baguette with hummus

Ramen with spinach, bok choy, green onions

Poached egg

Pickled cucumbers, fried gluten, chili oil bamboo

1/2 glass red wine

6 slices mango

My mom's:

1/2 pink grapefruit

4 slices of french bread, toasted

1 hard-boiled egg

black tea

6 pieces of sushi roll ( from Costco)

leftover bento food

black tea

1 apple

1 cup of cranberry juice

5 pork & shrimp dumplings

1/2 bowl of rice in tomato and tofu soup

2 squids

1 piece of chicken

fried bean sprout

tomato & cucumber salade in vinaigrette

1 shortbread cookie

strawberries