Nutrition tracking using Emacs

This is not a blog post. This is my Emacs powered nutrition tracker!

No, I mean it!

It’s the one file that contains all the code, templates and data of my tracker, exported in html.

Keep reading, to see how you can harness the power of emacs and org mode to track your nutrition and even generate cool graphs like:

For quick demo you can check this short Youtube demo: Nutrition tracking using Emacs.

The post is available in 3 formats.

• My Wordpress Blog (wordress sucks at rendering lisp, so the other formats are preferred)
• My Github Blog
• Gist

All 3 formats are powered by a single org file called `nutrition.org`.

Feel free to grab that file, save it in your computer and add the following line to your emacs configuration:

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(org-babel-load-file "/path/to/nutrition.org")

The idea Link to heading

Traditional nutrition tracking applications don’t work for me. I find it really hard to select the foods I ate from paginated, lists of checkboxes (… even saying it out loud feels like cursing). Same goes to defining recipes.

What these apps do really well is looking up base nutrient value, which is something you only need to do once per food. For capturing meals (i.e. daily use) they suck!

On the other hand, using org-mode for capturing stuff (TODOs, ideas, notes), is really awesome!

So, I decided to create 3 lists:

• Foods
• Recipes
• 1

These lists will hold, individual nutrient values per food, per recipe and per day. The data will be captured in org mode tables (think of text file spreadsheets).

Finally, the data will be aggregated into a table holding daily nutrition stats and a graph will be created from this table.

Setup Link to heading

The whole setup is based on org-mode. This is a single org file that contains everything:

• docs
• templates
• code
• config
• data

Requirements Link to heading

To be able to sucesully use the templates and code provided you will need to have `org-ql` installed in your system.

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   (use-package org-ql)

Additionally, you will need the following custom code:

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   (defun iocanel/org-heading (heading tags)
  "Format the HEADING and the TAGS in the desired way."
  (format "%-80s %s" heading tags))

(defun iocanel/org-trim-tags (h)
  "Removes all tags that are present in H."
  (if h (string-trim  (replace-regexp-in-string ":[a-zA-Z0-9_\\.-:]+:$" "" h)) nil))

(defun iocanel/org-get-entries (tag &optional f)
  (interactive)
  "Collects all headings that contain TAG from the current buffer or from file F."
  (if f (mapcar #'iocanel/org-trim-tags (org-map-entries #'org-get-heading tag 'file))
    (mapcar #'iocanel/org-trim-tags (org-map-entries #'org-get-heading tag 'agenda))))

(defun iocanel/org-get-property (file name tag property)
  "Extract the PROPERTY for NAME tagged with TAG in org FILE."
  (cdr (assoc property (car (org-ql-query
                             :select #'org-entry-properties
                             :from file
                             :where `(and (tags ,tag)
                                          (equal ,name (org-get-heading t t))))))))

Templates Link to heading

This section contains the templates used. These are org-mode capture templates. The templates follow these expansion rules.

Food template Link to heading

We need to hold nutrient values per food. So, we are going to use a table per food with these value. So, for each food we have an org item that contains the table. The structure of the such a list item is shown below:

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      * %^{Food Name} :nutrition:food:
      :PROPERTIES:
      :UNIT: %^{Unit|gram|ml|slice|pcs|tspn|spn}
      :QUANTITY: %^{Quantity}
      :WEIGHT: %^{Weight in grams}
      :CALORIES: %^{Calories}
      :PROTEIN: %^{Protein}
      :CARBS: %^{Carbs}
      :FAT: %^{Fat}
      :END:
      %?
      #+TBLNAME: %\1
      |   | INGREDIENT | SERVING | QUANTITY | CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBS | FAT |
      |---+------------+---------+----------+----------+---------+-------+-----|
      | # | %\1        |       1 |      %\4 |      %\5 |     %\6 |   %\7 | %\8 |

Recipe template Link to heading

We need the same for recipes. The only difference is that a recipe may contain multiple foods as ingredients. So, we have row per food.

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      * %^{Recipe Name} :nutrition:recipe:
      :PROPERTIES:
      :MAIN_INGRIDIENT: %^{Food|%(string-join (iocanel/org-get-entries "+food") "|")}
      :SECOND_INGRIDIENT: %^{Food|None|%(string-join (iocanel/org-get-entries "+food") "|")}
      :THIRD_INGREDIENT: %^{Food|None|%(string-join (iocanel/org-get-entries "+food") "|")}
      :FOURTH_INGREDIENT: %^{Food|None|%(string-join (iocanel/org-get-entries "+food") "|")}
      :END:

      #+TBLNAME: %\1
      |   | INGREDIENT | SERVING  | QUANTITY | CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBS  | FAT |
      |---+------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+--------+-----|
      | # | %\2        |        1 |          |          |         |        |     |
      | # | %\3        |        1 |          |          |         |        |     |
      | # | %\4        |        1 |          |          |         |        |     |
      | # | %\5        |        1 |          |          |         |        |     |
      |---+------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+--------+-----|
      | # | Total      |          |          |          |         |        |     |
      #+TBLFM: $4='(iocanel/get-recipe-property $2 $3 "QUANTITY")::$5='(iocanel/get-recipe-property $2 $3 "CALORIES")::$6='(iocanel/get-recipe-property $2 $3 "PROTEIN")::$7='(iocanel/get-recipe-property $2 $3 "CARBS")::$8='(iocanel/get-recipe-property $2 $3 "FAT")::@>$4=vsum(@I..@II)::@>$5=vsum(@I..@II)::@>$6=vsum(@I..@II)::@>$7=vsum(@I..@II)::@>$8=vsum(@I..@II)

Meals template Link to heading

Each recipe or recipe that is logged by this tracker goes to a table as a new row. The template of the row is:

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      | # | %(org-insert-time-stamp (org-read-date nil t nil)) |  %^{Recipe|%(string-join (iocanel/org-get-entries "+recipe|+food") "|")} | %^{Serving|1|2|3|4|5} | | | | | |

Functions Link to heading

We just need a function that we can use and read the nutrient values from the tables.

The function will get as arguments the name of the food, the quantity and the attribute we need to lookup and will return the result.

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     (defun iocanel/org-heading (heading tags)
       "Format the HEADING and the TAGS in the desired way."
       (format "%-80s %s" heading tags))


     (defun iocanel/org-trim-tags (h)
       "Removes all tags that are present in H."
       (if h (string-trim  (replace-regexp-in-string ":[a-zA-Z0-9_\\.-:]+:$" "" h)) nil))

     (defun iocanel/org-get-entries (tag &optional f)
       (interactive)
       "Collects all headings that contain TAG from the current buffer or from file F."
       (if f (mapcar #'iocanel/org-trim-tags (org-map-entries #'org-get-heading tag 'file))
         (mapcar #'iocanel/org-trim-tags (org-map-entries #'org-get-heading tag 'agenda))))

     (defun iocanel/org-get-property (file name tag property)
       "Extract the PROPERTY for NAME tagged with TAG in org FILE."
       (cdr (assoc property (car (org-ql-query
                                  :select #'org-entry-properties
                                  :from file
                                  :where `(and (tags ,tag)
                                               (equal ,name (org-get-heading t t))))))))


     (defvar nutrition-recipe-column-alsit '(("QUANTITY" . 4)
                                             ("CALORIES" . 5)
                                             ("PROTEIN" . 6)
                                             ("CARBS" . 7)
                                             ("FAT" . 8)))

     (defun iocanel/get-recipe-property (recipe &optional quantity prop)
       "Return the sum of the COLUMN for the specified RECIPE and QUANTITY. If QUANTITY is omitted 1 (gram) is assumed."
       (let* ((prop (or prop "CALORIES"))
              (quantity (if (numberp quantity) quantity (string-to-number (format "%s" quantity))))
              (col (cdr (assoc prop nutrition-recipe-column-alsit)))
              (val (substring-no-properties (org-table-get-remote-range recipe (format "@>$%s" col)))))
         (cond
          ((not val) 0)
          ((numberp val) (ceiling (* quantity val)))
          ((stringp val) (ceiling (* quantity (string-to-number val)))))))

Configuration Link to heading

For this setup to we work we need to configure org-catpure.

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     (setq org-capture-templates (append org-capture-templates '(
                                                                 ("n" "Nutrition")
                                                                 ("nf" "Foods" entry (file+olp "~/Documents/org/nutrition.org" "Foods")(file "~/Documents/org/templates/nutrition-food.orgtmpl"))
                                                                 ("nr" "Recipes" entry (file+olp "~/Documents/org/nutrition.org" "Recipes")(file "~/Documents/org/templates/nutrition-recipe.orgtmpl"))
                                                                 ("nm" "Meals" table-line (file+olp "~/Documents/org/nutrition.org" "Meals")(file "~/Documents/org/templates/nutrition-meals.orgtmpl")))))

Foods Link to heading

To add a new food call `org-capture` and then type `nf`.

For each captured food we are storing the following properties:

• UNIT: Refers to how we usually measure the particular food. For example 1 slice of turkey.
• QUANTITY: Is the unit multiplier that provides the captured nutrients.
• WEIGHT: The weight in grams of `unit x quantity`.

None nutritionfood Link to heading

We just use this entry for in multiple choices.

Egg nutritionfood Link to heading

Turkey nutritionfoodwhitemeat Link to heading

Toast cheese / Milner light nutritionfooddairy Link to heading

Tortilla / El Sabor nutritionfood Link to heading

Olive oil nutritionfoodfat Link to heading

Avocado nutritionfoodfruit Link to heading

Honey / Αττική nutritionfood Link to heading

Banana / Medium nutritionfoodfruit Link to heading

Peanutbutter nutritionfood Link to heading

Walnuts nutritionfoodnuts Link to heading

Chicken breast nutritionfoodwhitemeat Link to heading

Quinoa / Red nutritionfood Link to heading

Spaghetti / Whole grain nutritionfood Link to heading

Ground meat / Beef nutritionfoodredmeat Link to heading

Potato nutritionfoodstarch Link to heading

Lettuce nutritionfoodvegtable Link to heading

Bread / Whole grain nutritionfood Link to heading

Yogurt / Light 2 percent nutritionfooddairy Link to heading

Rusk / Manna nutritionfood Link to heading

Oat burgers nutritionfoodredmeat Link to heading

Seam beam nutritionfoodfish Link to heading

Milk / Full fat nutritionfooddairy Link to heading

Broccoli nutritionfoodvegtable Link to heading

Spinach nutritionfoodvegtable Link to heading

Rucola nutritionfoodvegtable Link to heading

Cottage Cheese / Light 4% nutritionfooddairy Link to heading

Sesame paste nutritionfood Link to heading

Cabbage nutritionfoodvegtable Link to heading

Tomato nutritionfoodvegtable Link to heading

Levantina fish nutritionfoodfish Link to heading

Raisins nutritionfoodfruit Link to heading

Dried Blueberries nutritionfoodfruit Link to heading

Dried Cranberries nutritionfoodfruit Link to heading

Honey with Hazelnut paste nutritionfood Link to heading

Honey with Peanut paste nutritionfood Link to heading

Tomato sauce / Kyknos nutritionfood Link to heading

Philadelphia cheese / light nutritionfood Link to heading

Toast bread / Whole grain nutritionfood Link to heading

Pita (suvlaki) nutritionfood Link to heading

Chicken suvlaki nutritionfood Link to heading

Yogurt / Full fat nutritionfood Link to heading

Tzatziki nutritionfood Link to heading

Eggwhite nutritionfood Link to heading

Nespresso shot nutritionfood Link to heading

Milk / Light nutritionfood Link to heading

Oat bran nutritionfood Link to heading

Carrot nutritionfood Link to heading

Rice nutritionfoodstarch Link to heading

Rice / Whole nutritionfoodstarch Link to heading

Pork steak nutritionfoodredmeat Link to heading

Beef steak nutritionfoodredmeat Link to heading

Whey protein / Biotech nutritionfoodsupplement Link to heading

Orzo / Kritharaki nutritionfood Link to heading

Apple nutritionfood Link to heading

Pizza margarita nutritionfood Link to heading

Bean soup nutritionfood Link to heading

Lentil soup nutritionfood Link to heading

Cauliflower nutritionfood Link to heading

ION with hazelnuts and stevia nutritionfood Link to heading

Icecream nutritionfood Link to heading

Briam nutritionfood Link to heading

Chips / Lays nutritionfood Link to heading

Pastitsio nutritionfood Link to heading

Peach nutritionfood Link to heading

Pear nutritionfood Link to heading

Digestive / Papadopoulou nutritionfood Link to heading

Digestive bar chocolate chips / Papadopoulou nutritionfood Link to heading

Tuna / Trata nutritionfood Link to heading

Oat bar / NatureTech nutritionfood Link to heading

Sausage nutritionfood Link to heading

Salmon nutritionfood Link to heading

Beer nutritionfood Link to heading

Chocolate Cake nutritionfood Link to heading

Turkey burgers nutritionfood Link to heading

Cupcake nutritionfood Link to heading

Swordfish nutritionfood Link to heading

Mushroom Risoto nutritionfood Link to heading

Strawberries nutritionfood Link to heading

Spinach Rice nutritionfood Link to heading

Fasolakia / Mparmpa Stathis (ladera) nutritionfood Link to heading

Recipes Link to heading

To add a new recipe call `org-capture` and then type `nr`.

Double capuccino / Light nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Double capuccino / Full fat nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Cheese and Turkey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double Egg and Turkey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double Egg and eggwhite nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double Egg with cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with honey, hazelnut paste, banana and blueberries nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with egg, cheese and turkey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with egg and avocado nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with honey, peanutbutter, banana and walnuts nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with egg and cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with egg and philadelphia nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with chicken breast nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Pasta salad nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Lettuce salad nutritionrecipesalad Link to heading

Spinach and rucola salad nutritionrecipesalad Link to heading

Cabbage and carrot salad nutritionrecipesalad Link to heading

Broccoli salad nutritionrecipesalad Link to heading

Potato salad nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Toast with cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Pita with chicken suvlaki nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Whole bread with egg and avocado nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Whole bread with honey and sesame paste nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Whole bread with peanutbutter and honey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Yogurt with honey and walnuts nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Chicken breast with potatos nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Oat beef burger nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Chicken breast with Qinoa nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Chicken breast with rice nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Chicken breast with brown rice nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Mini ntakos with cottage cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Seam beam nutritionrecipefish Link to heading

Levantina fish nutritionrecipefish Link to heading

Toast with cheese and turkey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Braised chicken nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Chicken with orzo nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Banana with walnuts nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Cauliflower salad nutritionrecipesalad Link to heading

Tortilla with sesame paste and walnuts nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Toast / Whole grain with Cheese and Turkey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double egg nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double Egg and Lentil Soup nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with Lentil Soup and Cottage Cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with Banana Peanutbutter and Sesame Paste nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with Banana Honey and Sesame paste nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Whole bread with sesame paste and honey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Bread with avocado and egg nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Yogurt light with honey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Yogurt light with honey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double egg avocado cheese and turkey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Bacon cheeseburger with fries nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double egg and cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Bread with egg and cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Strapatsada nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Yogurt light with Whey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Bread with honey and sesame paste nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Lemon sauce calf nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with strawberries, honey and sesame paste nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tortilla with cheese and turkey nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Tomato salad / Ntakos nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Tripple eggwhites oat and light cheese nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Omelette / Double eggwhite oat and cheese light nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Fasolakia with Cottage light nutritionrecipe Link to heading

Meals Link to heading

The table below contains all logged meals. To capture a new meal, call `org-capture` and then type `nm`.