I actually have a printout from the McDonald's website that tells how many grmas of fat, carbohydrates and all that are in their food items. Somewhere. Since I'm not going to dig for it now, though, I'd venture to guess that it's a matter of timing more than the processed potato patty itself.

You're right that maintaining the diary helps. It's like having someone looking over your shoulder all the time when you eat - annoying, but it does make you more conscious of what goes in the old piehole.