How to log restaurant and takeaway meals

What to note when you eat out

Restaurant and takeaway meals are where food journals usually go quiet. You didn’t cook, you don’t know the recipe, and it feels easier to skip the entry. But a quick, honest note is still worth far more than a gap.

Write down three things: the dish, the size, and how much of it you ate.

Chicken burrito from the place near work, regular size, with rice, beans, cheese and guacamole. Ate all of it, plus a few tortilla chips.

The name of the place helps if you go back often: next time, you can repeat the entry instead of starting over.

Shared plates and leftovers

Sharing is part of eating out. Note what was on the table and your share of it: “Shared two pizzas between three, I had about three slices” or “Split a dessert, half each”.

Taking leftovers home? Log the part you ate now, and add the rest when you eat it. Each entry then matches a real meal.

Sauces, oil and drinks

Restaurant food often carries more butter, oil and sauce than the same dish at home, and those extras are easy to forget. A few words cover them: “creamy sauce”, “fried”, “extra dressing on the side”.

Don’t forget what you drank. A soft drink, a juice, a glass of wine or a large latte can add a surprising amount, and they rarely make it into a photo.

Use the menu’s information

Some restaurants and chains publish calories or full nutrition for their dishes, on the menu or on their website. If it’s there, use it: it’s the closest thing to the actual recipe.

Check that the portion matches what you ordered, and add any extras or sides you changed. When there’s no information, a clear description is the next best thing.

Log it in Meali

Snap a photo of your plate in Meali, add a line about what the picture can’t show, like the sauce or how much you shared, and you’re done. Meali works out the calories and macros while you get back to your meal.

Eat at the same place often? Save the meal and log it again in a tap next time. For more on judging portions, read how to count calories without weighing your food.