Insights · 4 min read
A printable food and symptom journal for Crohn's and colitis
By Austin Hunter ·
Short answer
A food and symptom journal helps you and your care team spot patterns between what you eat and how you feel. The 30-Day Food, Symptom & Bristol Stool Journal from Crohn's Food Tracker is a 43-page printable PDF ($7). It has 30 daily logs, 4 weekly reviews, a medicines list, a 30-day calendar and a one-page summary to bring to your next appointment. It's for keeping a record, not medical advice.
What to track each day
- Meals, with a quick fine / meh / nope rating for how each one sat.
- Symptoms and how severe they were.
- Bowel movements, using the Bristol Stool Form Scale.
- Medicines, stress, sleep, water and movement.
What's in the journal
- 30 daily log pages covering meals, 14 symptoms with severity, Bristol scale, medicines, stress, sleep, water and movement.
- 4 weekly reviews: the week at a glance, foods to discuss with your doctor, patterns and questions for your care team.
- A medicines and supplements list with a changes log, allergies and care-team contacts.
- A 30-days-at-a-glance calendar, a foods tally and a one-page doctor-visit summary.
- A Bristol Stool Form Scale reference with plain descriptions.
Paper or app?
Some people find paper easier on bad days; others prefer a phone. The journal's fields match the Crohn's Food Tracker app, so you can switch between them. There's also a free 7-day log on the Crohn's Food Tracker site if you want to try the format first.
Questions
Is this medical advice?
No. The journal is for keeping a record. Talk to your doctor or IBD care team about your diet and treatment.
Does it work for ulcerative colitis or IBS?
Yes. It's designed for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other gut conditions.
How do I get it?
Buy the PDF and download it right away. It's US Letter and prints on A4 with "fit to page."