Dear food diary - virtual - Eat Right

Shape, April, 2003 by Tajinder Rehal

Many studies have shown that keeping a food diary is linked to weight-loss success. To make the process a little less tedious, the Hines Technology Group has developed meal-tracking software called Mealformation (you can download a demo onto your PC or Mac). After inputting basic stats like your age, weight and goals (lose weight, cut fat, eat more fiber and the like), you record what you eat each day.

You'll then find out whether you're on track--or not. The program also includes nutrition stats on more than 6,000 foods, a recipe database and a feature that generates a shopping list as you plan each week's meals ($49; mealformation.com).