Analyze Your Diet

Does Your Eating Plan Measure Up?

The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) has a FREE online dietary assessment tool called “My Pyramid Tracker.” With this tool, you can see how well your eating and physical activity plans measure up to current dietary guidelines for optimal health.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For the most accurate results, do the following BEFORE entering data into “My Pyramid Tracker:”

1. Record your dietary intake for at least 3 days (two days during the week and one day over the weekend). Your average dietary intake over several days is a better predictor of your nutritional health than your intake on just one day.

2. Be sure to record EVERYTHING you eat and drink on those days.

3. Be specific about what and how much you eat and drink. For example, don’t just record breakfast as a “bowl of cereal.” Write: 1.5 cups of Raisin Bran with 6 oz. of 1% low fat milk. The more specific you are with brand names and measurements, the more accurate your analysis will be.

4. Don’t forget about condiments and “extras.” For example, record the amount of cream/sugar you put in your coffee and the amount of catsup you use for your fries.

Sheri Barke, MPH, RD
COC, Student Health & Wellness Center
Rev. 2005