Are you wondering how to use AI to plan healthy meals for you and your family? Here are some of the best practices we suggest to ensure you get what you need while keeping planning and prepping quick, easy, and cost-effective.
Picture this: it’s the year 2044, and you're sitting down to a delicious meal perfectly tailored to your health goals and preferences.
But here's the kicker—AI curated your culinary masterpiece. That’s right! Artificial Intelligence is behind this culinary masterpiece. Welcome to the future! AI is not just a buzzword anymore; it has become an integral part of our eating habits.
Ok, so we’re not quite to the point where AI is cooking for you, but its impact on nutrition is increasingly apparent. Admittedly, AI can bring some luxury to personalized nutrition.
How exactly is AI shaking up the world of nutrition? Let's break it down.
Can AI Help Me With My Nutrition?
Just like in other areas and industries, AI can help with starting inspiration and specific suggestions regarding what to eat. AI may even be able to help you determine a starting calorie or macro level.
That being said, the drawbacks and downfalls of AI are the same in the world of nutrition as in every other industry—at the end of the day, utilizing AI for support isn’t the same as getting help from a living, breathing human who understands the subtleties of, well, humanity.
Setting macros is an art as much as it is a science. At WAG Nutrition Coaching, our expert coaches have over 100 years of combined experience working with clients and creating programs as nuanced as each individual. This, plus the ongoing personalized messaging and check-ins, set human coaching apart from AI-driven nutrition support.
That being said, there is definitely a benefit to using AI to help you plan healthy meals. AI can suggest recipes that align your nutritional goals with taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and the ingredients you have on hand. Whether you're a professional juggling work and family life or you’re just lacking culinary inspiration, AI can be your personal sous chef who guides you through every step.
But how can you ensure AI gives you the answers you need? What kinds of questions should you ask AI to help plan your healthy meals? Here are some starting principles and best practices to help you make the most of this groundbreaking technology.
Tips for How to Use AI to Plan Healthy Meals
1. Be Clear and Specific
Clearly articulate what you're looking for. Avoid ambiguity. Provide as much detail as possible to clarify your intent. Instead of vague terms, use specific keywords related to your topic. You can also clarify what you do not want included in the results. For example:
“List five breakfast recipes with at least 30g of protein that take less than ten minutes to prepare. Do not include omelet recipes.”
2. Use Natural Language
AI-powered systems are designed to understand natural language queries. So, phrase your query in a conversational manner. Use complete sentences or questions to express your nutrition preferences.
“I need three dinner meals I can make for my family of four using ground beef as the main protein source. Include at least 200g vegetables per serving.”
3. Provide Context
When making a query, provide context to help the AI understand your intent. For example, if you're asking for restaurant recommendations for an upcoming business trip, your query may look like this:
“Provide a list of restaurants with vegan and gluten-free options in downtown Milwaukee, WI. Exclude all restaurants that require reservations for dine-in.”
4. Use Relevant Keywords
Use keywords that are directly related to your topic or information needs. Consider your dietary restrictions, taste preferences, fitness goals, macro goals, and desired preparation time.
“Provide plant-based lunch recipes with at least 35 grams of protein per serving and between 350-450 calories.”
5. Refine Your Query
Don’t give up if the initial results are not what you want; refine your query. Pay attention to the results you receive and adjust your wording accordingly. Ask yourself questions like:
- What is missing from the result that I want?
- What should be omitted?
- Are there too many options?
- Is the preparation time too long?
- Does the meal provide enough servings for my family?
- Do you want a substitution for a specific ingredient?
Now that we have some basic principles let’s examine a few examples of queries for those with specific dietary needs and food preferences.
Example AI Queries Based On Dietary Preferences
High-Protein Plant-Based:
“Provide five easy plant-based recipes. I want high-protein options only and do not include lettuce in the recipes. Keep prep time under 30 minutes”.
Gluten-Free Keto Snacks:
“List five gluten-free keto recipes for snacks. I want at least 20 grams of fat per serving. Exclude all recipes that include almond butter”.
Mediterranean With Specific Preferences:
“List five traditional high-protein Mediterranean dinner recipes that do not include chicken or quinoa. Include spinach and avocado in the recipes. Preparation time should be less than 2 hours. The meal should feed eight people with leftovers. Calories per serving should be between 300 and 400.”
Using Available Ingredients
What if you don’t feel like shopping for specific ingredients and are also at a loss for what to make with what you have? List your available ingredients, dietary restrictions, and taste preferences in your query. Voila! It’s like shopping in your own kitchen for a delectable delicacy!
Final Thoughts on Using AI for Your Nutrition Journey
The future of nutrition is made brighter thanks to the transformative power of AI. From personalized meal plans to customized recipe suggestions, AI can empower us to easily make healthier choices.
If you're not ready to cut the human aspect out of reaching your wellness goals, get a personal touch with one-on-one nutrition coaching here.
Bon appétit!
