For this lab, you will be logging your food and fluid intake IN DETAIL for 2 days and analyzing your intake using the MyFitnessPal application (or another equivalent application) to assess how well you meet dietary guidelines/recommendations.

Step 1: DRI Calculator instructions

Step 2: MyFitnessPal instructions  Resources: USDA ChooseMyPlate Resources; then select MyPlate Plan link to generate a custom report. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Your textbook: Sections 4 through 6 Procedure: Log your food and beverage intake (including water) IN DETAIL for 2 days. Make sure to be specific, i.e. include brand names, specific measurements, condiments, sauces, dressings, all beverages, etc. Include your food log in your lab write up – your food log constitutes a significant percentage of your grade for this lab! Determine Your Dietary Recommendations: Define each of the following MyPlate terms, i.e. what does each of these groups consist of?:
Grains group Vegetables group Fruits group Dairy group Protein group Oils group Empty calorie foods Total calories Based on your age, sex, and caloric requirements (which you should be able to precisely calculate using the tools from this course and text) how many cups/ounces/teaspoons/etc should you have for each of the following groups per day:
Grains group Vegetables group Fruits group Dairy group Protein group Oils group Total calories According to the MyPlate website, what are your weekly requirements for each of the following vegetables:
Dark Green vegetables Orange vegetables Beans and Peas Starchy Vegetables Other Vegetables

Analyze Your Nutrient Intake

Analyze your nutrient intake using the MyFitnessPal app (link provided above). Enter the information from the reports you generate into this Intake Table. Make sure to include this table in your lab write up! Reflection Questions: (Add your responses at the end of the Intake Table) Did you consume more animal or non-animal sources of protein? Provide examples of each from your food log. How does your protein intake compare to USDA recommendations? Did you consume more simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates? Provide examples of each from your food log. What foods with added sugars did you consume? What sources of fiber did you consume? How does your fiber intake compare to USDA recommendations? What food items did you consume that contained gluten, if any? Did you consume more saturated or unsaturated fat? Provide examples of each from your food log. What items with transfats did you consume, if any? How does your fat intake compare to USDA recommendations? What are the strengths of your diet? What are the weaknesses? What are three concrete improvements you can make to improve your health and diet? What did you learn from completing this lab?

Make sure you respond to all the questions THOROUGHLY and include both your food log and your analysis of nutrient intake chart in your write up!