Logging Meals
Track what you eat and how much fat each meal contains — the single most important variable for enzyme dosing and symptom correlation.
Why Fat Grams Matter
The pancreas (or PERT enzymes in EPI patients) must process dietary fat. Fat content — not calories or carbs — determines how much enzyme activity is required. Logging fat grams alongside your symptoms lets PancreaTrack identify which meals trigger pain, malabsorption, or oily stools.
How to Log a Meal
Find Log Meal in the left sidebar. You can also tap the quick-add button on the dashboard.
Type any food name in the search box. PancreaTrack queries the USDA FoodData Central database of 900,000+ foods and returns nutritional information automatically.
Select the portion that matches what you actually ate. Fat grams will update in real time.
A meal can contain multiple foods. Keep adding until the full meal is represented.
Tap Save Meal. The log will appear in your meal history and feed into your nutrition charts.
Manual Entry
If a food isn't found in the USDA database, use the Manual Entry tab. Enter the food name and fat grams directly. This is common for home-cooked meals, restaurant dishes, or specialty products.
Fat content in restaurant dishes varies widely. When in doubt, look up the chain's nutrition PDF or use a conservative estimate. Your physician can help you develop reliable estimates for meals you eat frequently.
Fat Intake Guidelines for Pancreatic Patients
| Fat per Meal | Category | PERT Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10 g | Low fat | Minimal enzyme adjustment typically needed |
| 10–25 g | Medium fat | Standard dosing per your physician's plan |
| 25–40 g | High fat | May require dose adjustment or split dosing |
| > 40 g | Very high fat | Discuss with your care team; monitor symptoms closely |
Fat intake recommendations vary by individual. Always follow your gastroenterologist's or dietitian's specific guidance for your condition.
Viewing Your Nutrition History
Your meal logs appear in Dashboard → Nutrition and in the Nutrition tab of your physician's patient view. The charts show your daily fat intake trend, average over time, and any days that exceeded a high-fat threshold.