How we put this together
This guide is based on what makes a notebook practical for daily tracking. We have not tested specific products, so we do not rank them. Notebooks are ordinary stationery, not medical products. Read how we research products.
Keeping a short food and symptom diary is one of the simplest ways to learn what suits you, and it gives your doctor or dietitian something concrete to work with. See how to keep a food diary. You can use any notebook, a free printout or an online tool. If you would like something purpose-made, here is what to look for.
Try these first (free)
- Free printable food diary page
- Food Trigger Tracker and Symptom Diary, which store entries on your own device
What to look for in a notebook
- Enough space per entry for time, food and portion, how it was made, symptoms and timing.
- Undated pages, so a missed day is not a wasted page.
- A size you will carry. Pocket or A5 is easier to keep with you.
- Lay-flat binding makes writing quick.
- Sturdy cover and paper that handles daily use.
- Simple layout. The best journal is the one you will actually fill in.
Options
Useful for tracking
Food diary notebook
A dedicated layout for meals and notes can make daily tracking quicker.
- Look for space for time, food and symptoms
- Undated pages
- Lay-flat binding
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a general-purpose kitchen item, not a medical product.
Useful for meal planning
Undated weekly planner
A weekly layout is handy for planning meals and noting how you felt.
- Undated pages
- Room for notes
- A size that fits in a bag
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a general-purpose kitchen item, not a medical product.
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