NUTRITION ANALYSIS FOOD DIARY ASSIGNMENT
Introduction
It isn't easy to eat healthy meals and snacks in today's world of fast-food restaurants, high calorie foods such as frozen prepared foods, confectionery and pre-packaged foods.
Government studies show that more and more Americans are not eating healthy and are becoming overweight or obese. Even young children are weighing more than ever before. In fact, one in four American children are becoming overweight or obese. According to the American Obesity Association, about 28 percent of U.S. men, 34 percent of U.S. women, and 15 percent of children and adolescents are considered obese.
Task
Your task is to evaluate your food intake for 2 days using the Food Intake Tracker prepared by the USDA.
You will keep a food diary for 2 days (download the Dietary Log Sheets). Write down everything you eat and drink throughout each day. Include all meals and snacks . Submit your a 2 page report of your analysis of data along with the printouts you will obtain from the Food Intake tracker.(see below).

My Pyramid Tracker

1. Find My Pyramid Tracker on the web at http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/default.htm .

2. After locating the web site click on Assess Your Food Intake.

3. If you are new to the site, click on "here" in the last sentence to register. Enter your information and then click on "Submit". Log in to the site and fill-in or update (if returning) your personal information (age, gender, date, height, weight). Click on "Proceed to Food Intake".

2. Enter a food item and click "Search". The program will search for it and provide you a list of types to choose from. Scroll down the list and click on "Add" when you have found the appropriate or closest match to what you ate. You should see the food appear on the right side list. Do not worry about amount eaten for now; it is easier to fill in all food amounts at the same time after your list is complete. Repeat for all foods and beverages that are listed on each day of your Diet Records. Don't forget about cooking oils, condiments, margarine's, dressings, etc.

3. Once you have a list of all food and beverage items, click on "Select Quantity". Here you will select a serving size (measuring unit) appropriate to what you ate and then indicate how many of those servings you ate. Repeat for all foods and beverages.

4. If your list is as complete and accurate as you can make it, click on "Save & Analyze" at the bottom of the quantity screen.

5. Under Meeting 2005 Dietary Guidelines (DG), click on "Calculate DG Comparison". Choose whether you want to maintain your current weight or gradually lose weight and click "Go!".
Print out this page. See example in the following pages.

6. At the bottom of the Dietary Guidelines page, click on "MyPyramid Recommendation". Print out this page. See example in the following pages.

7. At the bottom of your MyPyramid Recommendation page, click on "Nutrient Intakes". Print out this page. See example in the following pages.

Optional web site:
If you are having trouble accessing or completing the assignment from the above web site or you are vegetarian, try this nutrition analysis program:

NATS (Nutrition Analysis Tools and System) http://nat.crgq.com/mainnat.html

Analysis of Data
Analyze your two-day results to determine how well your diet meets the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid. This will help you to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your diet. Once you have analyzed the data, create a plan to improve your diet as needed. The plan should focus on small changes that are realistic for you to implement. It should include THREE changes that would improve your diet. Note: If you feel that your diet is adequate and do not require any changes, please go to the last paragraph.

Write a 2 page report fully describing your plan to improve your diet. Include the following: