Nutrition Log Made Easy: Creating a Meal in TrainingPeaks Version 3.0 Beta

Tracking your nutrition is a very important part of any training plan, whether you're preparing for an Ironman or just trying to lose weight. Studies show that people who log their meals are much more likely than people who don't to achieve their fitness goals, simply because keeping track of caloric intake increases awareness. In TrainingPeaks Version 3.0 Beta, keeping track of your nutrition is easier than ever.

In the new Beta version of TrainingPeaks 3.0, there are many new features that are similar to the ones available in the classic version, but that have a different look and feel. One such feature is the Meal Builder, which allows you to create and add meals to your Calendar, the default view in your account. To begin, click on the "Add New Activity" icon, which looks like a plus symbol, on the upper right hand corner of any day in your calendar. Next select "Meal" and choose which meal you want to add, such as breakfast. This will automatically open the Journal view of your account. Now you're ready to use the Meal Builder, which is in the Nutrition Library on the left hand side of the screen.

In the Nutrition Library, you can search for foods that you want to add to your meal. There are a few different databases that you can search in, such as Packaged Foods or USDA, and these can be viewed by clicking on the drop-down arrow to the right of the search box. Once you have chosen your database, simply type in the food you are looking for, select an appropriate match, and drag and drop it over in the Journal view of your account. Continue to add foods until you have created a meal. The meal will save automatically, and when you close the Journal view, the meal will appear in your Calendar view on the day you selected. Moving the mouse over the meal icon will automatically display details from the meal, such as calorie count.

For more information on the Meal Builder and other new features of TrainingPeaks 3.0 Beta, please see our Support and Help Center.