Tracking daily calorie intake with a spreadsheet

I’ve been trying to find a good way to keep tabs on my calorie intake. I checked out some apps, but they all want money or keep bugging me to upgrade. Then I had an idea – why not use a spreadsheet on my phone?

It’s super easy and totally free. I just open up the app, type in what I eat, and boom – it’s on my computer too. No fuss, no muss.

Sure, I have to look up calories sometimes, but after a while, you get to know the stuff you eat often. It’s way simpler than dealing with fancy apps.

Anyone else use spreadsheets for this kind of thing? I’m loving how straightforward it is. No bells and whistles, just the info I need. Thoughts?

I’ve been using spreadsheets for tracking calories for years now, and it’s honestly the best method I’ve found. Like you, I got tired of the constant upsells and limitations of apps. With a spreadsheet, I have complete control and can customize it to my needs.

One thing I’ve found helpful is creating different sheets for common meals or recipes. This way, I can quickly add a whole meal’s worth of calories without having to input each ingredient separately every time. I also added a column for macros, which has been eye-opening for understanding my nutritional balance.

The beauty of spreadsheets is their flexibility. You can add graphs to visualize your progress, set up formulas for weekly averages, or even create a simple points system if you’re following a specific diet plan. Plus, the habit of manually entering data makes you more mindful of what you’re eating.

Stick with it – you’ll likely find even more ways to tailor it to your lifestyle as you go along.

I’ve been doing the spreadsheet thing for calorie tracking too, and it’s been a game-changer. One tip that’s worked well for me is setting up a template with common foods I eat regularly. This saves a ton of time on data entry.

Another benefit I’ve found is the ability to analyze trends over time. By graphing my calorie intake against my weight, I’ve gotten insights into how my body responds to different eating patterns. It’s pretty eye-opening.

The only downside I’ve encountered is remembering to log consistently, especially when eating out. But overall, the flexibility and control of a spreadsheet far outweigh any minor inconveniences. It’s definitely worth sticking with it.

yeah, spreadsheets rock for calorie tracking! i started using em last month and its way better than those annoying apps. i even added a column for how i feel after eating - helps me spot patterns with certain foods. only tricky part is remembering to update it when im out, but im getting better at it. keep it up, dude!