Ep 70: What I Am Looking for When I Review a Bariatric Food Log
This post is a companion to Episode 70 of the Bariatric Nutrition Coach Podcast. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
I have had clients tell me they have not sent their food log because they were waiting for a "good day." And I always have the same response: I am not looking for a good day. I am looking for a real day. Here is what I am actually focused on when I review a food log — and it is probably not what you think.
First: What I Am NOT Looking For
I am not checking whether you had a "bad" food. I am not looking to catch you out or give you negative feedback. I am not looking for a perfect day. There is no such thing. Food logs are handled with compassion, always. You cannot shock me, and you will never receive judgment.
What I AM Looking For
Eating pattern and structure. How many times did you eat? Were meals regular and spread across the day? Are there long gaps that might be contributing to over-hunger or grazing? Structure is the foundation everything else sits on.
Protein spread. Not just total protein — but when it is happening. Is protein front-loaded earlier in the day, when it does the most good? Or is it mostly at dinner, by which point grazing has already happened?
Fluid intake. How much is coming in, and when? Are fluids being drunk too close to meals? Are there long gaps without fluid?
What is missing. What opportunities exist to add more protein, more variety, more vegetables — without overwhelming you or adding pressure?
What is going well. Always, always, always — I start by looking for what is working and celebrating it. Behaviour change is built on strengths, not shame.
I am not an advocate for daily food logging. I use food logs periodically — as a check-in, a reflection tool, a way to see clearly what is happening rather than relying on memory. A few days of honest logging can be genuinely illuminating.
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