However, DietLog doesn't leave you in the lurch. You can easily add food items to the existing database. Just remember to copy the nutritional information from the food package before you throw it out.

There are also many web sites with nutritional information available. Entering new food information is a snap. Select the Find Food Icon (the magnifying glass) and select the New Food button. Next use the Graffiti writing area to enter the nutritional information for the food in the Add New Food dialog page. Don't forget the serving size information. If you do forget an item the program will remind you when you attempt to add the food to the database.

Once all the nutritional value information is entered, select the Add to Database button. You will see a confirming page and if all is correct, just select OK and you will be returned to the Add New Food screen. If you are done select Done and you will be done. Easy as pie--which, by the way, has twenty one entries.

Editing the database is another story. As a Mac user I don't have any database editing options available. This only becomes a problem when you make a mistake in adding a food, menu, or recipe. Once entered, the addition is there for good. This isn't a major problem because you can always make the entry correctly and never choose the incorrect entry. Not a problem but a pain. I like to fix my mistakes instead of being reminded of them again and again.

Reports
All day, every day I use the feedback that I get from DietLog. When planning my next meal or deciding if I can have that snack or not, DietLog reports give me the information I need. Having the day's dietary information in the palm of my hand helps me make the decisions that I need to make to help control my Diabetes. I need to know where I stand with regard to total calories, fat calories and especially carbohydrates. DietLog allows me to create different reports that give me the information I need for tracking and planning.

The menu at the bottom of the daily log screen, shown in Figure E, allows you to look at each food entry's nutrient value numbers according to the eight different nutrients. Fat is broken down further into total fat and fat from calories, actually giving you nine categories.

FIGURE E

This is the Daily Log screen with nutrient categories.

By selecting one of the nine categories, the numbers relating to your selected category appear next to each food item. This function is very useful in determining which foods work for you within the limitations of the targets you have previously set. By going back over your day and as many previous days you like you can determine what foods fit your diet and which ones might put you over your target numbers. When planning meals or snacks, which is what Diabetes control is all about, if you recognize the problem foods and also track where you stand you can make better decisions on what to eat.

By using DietLog this way you can also tell if you can afford to eat that piece of pie or ice cream cone for desert instead of the cup of fruit. This doesn't mean that you're using DietLog to figure out how best to cheat. Maintaining good eating habits means you should be able to treat yourself once in a while. With DietLog you will know when you can.