Standardisation of "Protein Sources" in Meal Plans


HealthMD Standardisation of "Protein Sources" in Meal Plans Insight The audit identified a significant discrepancy in how protein sources are described and categorised across meal plans, leading to potential confusion for both the AI and end-users. For example, "chicken breast" is sometimes referred to simply as "chicken," "poultry," or even "lean meat," without consistent nutritional information or cooking methods attached. Hypothesis There is a high amount of implied context when it comes to food and ingredients. It's common for to refer to the animal itself "This chicken is great!" the cut of meat "I haven't had sirloin in a while," or even a method of preparation "Why don't we grab a burger?" when discussing meals in everyday life.The root of the variety of language used in conversation stems from the want to communicate an experience. "Grabbing a burger" likely includes french fries and drink. This isn't helpful from a nutritional point of view. The communication must be reframed to have its basis in nutritional values. Action Standardisation of Terminology for Protein Sources Initial Audit analysed 50 meal plans, finding 5 unique descriptors for chicken protein alone. Catalog every descriptor used for protein sources. Each variant found in the meal plans is to be listed with its context. Standardise the naming convention; i.e. Chicken Breast [Grilled, Skinless, Keto] Apply similar specificity to all protein sources. Include cooking method (e.g., boiled, grilled) as it significantly affects nutritional content. Attach precise nutritional information to the standardised name based on a 100g serving size, ensuring that this information reflects the specified cooking method.Note: As the intended audience is international, both metric and imperial units have to be available to the end user. It is important to standardise internal units and use conversion tables for the End User outputs. Implement a tagging system in the database for protein sources with attributes for "type," "cooking method," "diet compatibility" (e.g., keto, vegetarian)... Presentation of "Fats" in Nutritional Information Insight Discrepancies were found in how fats are presented in nutritional breakdowns across meal plans, with terms like "total fat," "saturated fat," and "healthy fats" used interchangeably without clear definitions or consistent measurements, likely complicating the AI`s ability to provide accurate nutritional advice and hindering user experience. Avocado and Egg Salad Creamy avocado meets the staple of boiled eggs, accented with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This simple yet satisfying dish is a testament to the versatility of low-carb eating, offering a balanced blend of healthy fats, protein, and fiber to fuel your morning with energy that lasts. Ingredients: 1/2 ripe avocado 2 eggs 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Nutritional Breakdown: Protein: 12g Carbohydrates: 5g Fat: 15g Cholesterol: 370mg Grilled Salmon with Steamed Broccoli A succulent fillet of grilled salmon takes center stage, its delicate flesh infused with the citrusy brightness of lemon and the subtle richness of butter. Paired with tender broccoli florets, this meal is a symphony of flavors and textures, offering a bounty of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential nutrients to keep you feeling vibrant and satiated throughout the day. Ingredients: 6 oz salmon fillet 1 tablespoon butter 1 lemon, sliced 2 cups broccoli florets Nutritional Breakdown: Protein: 30g Carbohydrates: 9g Total Fats: 15g High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Grilled Chicken with Asparagus Juicy chicken breast, marinated and grilled to perfection, shares the spotlight with vibrant spears of asparagus, kissed by the gentle vibrance of coconut oil and seasoned with aromatic spices. With every bite, savor the harmony of flavors and the nourishing embrace of lean protein, fiber, and vital nutrients, culminating in a meal that nourishes both body and soul. Ingredients: 4 oz lean chicken 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 bunch asparagus Garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste Nutritional Breakdown: Protein: 25g Carbohydrates: 10g Fats: Monounsaturated Fat: 8g Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g Saturated Fat: 5g Hypothesis "Fat" is very broad term applied to multiple parts of the nutritional puzzle. Media & cultural buzz surrounding new products, diets, and lifestyles exacerbates the issue. As the meal plans are compiled from a multitude of sources, it would make sense that different context significant terms have been used as the content was likely initially targeted at different audiences. Action Nutritional Content Review for Fats Out of 50 meal plans reviewed, 7 different terms related to fat content identified. Define and standardise terms for fats including but not limited to: "Total Fat," "Saturated Fat," "Monounsaturated Fat," "Polyunsaturated Fat," and "Trans Fat." Each category is clearly defined in terms of health implications and sources. Reformat all meal plans to follow a consistent template, for example:Total Fat: XX g - Saturated Fat: XX g - Monounsaturated Fat: XX g - Polyunsaturated Fat: XX g - Trans Fats: XX g Attach a tag to each type of fat in the nutritional breakdown, enabling the AI to inform users of the health impacts and recommended daily intake. Provide rich explanations and rationalisations for each type of fat and the decisions made in health recommendations via embeddings and create deliberate bias to surface fats nutritional data. Saturated Fats: Saturated fats are solid fats found in foods like butter, cheese, and fatty meats. Eating too much of these fats might raise your cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. It's best to enjoy them in moderation. Monounsaturated Fats: Monounsaturated fats are the 'good fats' found in foods like olive oil, avocados, and nuts. They can help lower cholesterol levels and are good for your heart. Including them in your diet is a smart choice. Polyunsaturated Fats: Polyunsaturated fats are another type of good fat found in foods like sunflower oil, fish, and seeds. They're essential for your body and help keep your cells healthy. Eating foods rich in polyunsaturated fats can also reduce the risk of heart disease. Trans Fats: Trans fats are unhealthy fats often found in processed foods like packaged snacks and fried foods. They raise bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. It's best to avoid them as much as possible for better heart health. Create a feature to offer tailored advice based on the user's dietary goals or restrictions, highlighting meal plans with optimal fat profiles for their needs (e.g., "low saturated fat" for heart health).

Insight

The audit identified a significant discrepancy in how protein sources are described and categorised across meal plans, leading to potential confusion for both the AI and end-users. For example, "chicken breast" is sometimes referred to simply as "chicken," "poultry," or even "lean meat," without consistent nutritional information or cooking methods attached.

Hypothesis

There is a high amount of implied context when it comes to food and ingredients. It's common for to refer to the animal itself "This chicken is great!" the cut of meat "I haven't had sirloin in a while," or even a method of preparation "Why don't we grab a burger?" when discussing meals in everyday life.The root of the variety of language used in conversation stems from the want to communicate an experience. "Grabbing a burger" likely includes french fries and drink. This isn't helpful from a nutritional point of view. The communication must be reframed to have its basis in nutritional values.

Action

Standardisation of Terminology for Protein Sources

Initial Audit analysed 50 meal plans, finding 5 unique descriptors for chicken protein alone.

Catalog every descriptor used for protein sources. Each variant found in the meal plans is to be listed with its context.

Standardise the naming convention; i.e.
Chicken Breast [Grilled, Skinless, Keto]
Apply similar specificity to all protein sources. Include cooking method (e.g., boiled, grilled) as it significantly affects nutritional content.

Attach precise nutritional information to the standardised name based on a 100g serving size, ensuring that this information reflects the specified cooking method.Note: As the intended audience is international, both metric and imperial units have to be available to the end user. It is important to standardise internal units and use conversion tables for the End User outputs.

Implement a tagging system in the database for protein sources with attributes for "type," "cooking method," "diet compatibility" (e.g., keto, vegetarian)...

Presentation of "Fats" in Nutritional Information

Insight

Discrepancies were found in how fats are presented in nutritional breakdowns across meal plans, with terms like "total fat," "saturated fat," and "healthy fats" used interchangeably without clear definitions or consistent measurements, likely complicating the AI`s ability to provide accurate nutritional advice and hindering user experience.

Avocado and Egg Salad
Creamy avocado meets the staple of boiled eggs, accented with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This simple yet satisfying dish is a testament to the versatility of low-carb eating, offering a balanced blend of healthy fats, protein, and fiber to fuel your morning with energy that lasts.

Ingredients:

1/2 ripe avocado
2 eggs
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Nutritional Breakdown:

Protein: 12g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 370mg

Grilled Salmon with Steamed Broccoli
A succulent fillet of grilled salmon takes center stage, its delicate flesh infused with the citrusy brightness of lemon and the subtle richness of butter. Paired with tender broccoli florets, this meal is a symphony of flavors and textures, offering a bounty of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential nutrients to keep you feeling vibrant and satiated throughout the day.

Ingredients:

6 oz salmon fillet
1 tablespoon butter
1 lemon, sliced
2 cups broccoli florets

Nutritional Breakdown:

Protein: 30g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Total Fats: 15g

High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Grilled Chicken with Asparagus
Juicy chicken breast, marinated and grilled to perfection, shares the spotlight with vibrant spears of asparagus, kissed by the gentle vibrance of coconut oil and seasoned with aromatic spices. With every bite, savor the harmony of flavors and the nourishing embrace of lean protein, fiber, and vital nutrients, culminating in a meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Ingredients:

4 oz lean chicken
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 bunch asparagus
Garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste

Nutritional Breakdown:

Protein: 25g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fats:
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 5g

Hypothesis

"Fat" is very broad term applied to multiple parts of the nutritional puzzle. Media & cultural buzz surrounding new products, diets, and lifestyles exacerbates the issue. As the meal plans are compiled from a multitude of sources, it would make sense that different context significant terms have been used as the content was likely initially targeted at different audiences.

Action

Nutritional Content Review for Fats

Out of 50 meal plans reviewed, 7 different terms related to fat content identified.

Define and standardise terms for fats including but not limited to: "Total Fat," "Saturated Fat," "Monounsaturated Fat," "Polyunsaturated Fat," and "Trans Fat." Each category is clearly defined in terms of health implications and sources.

Reformat all meal plans to follow a consistent template, for example:Total Fat: XX g
- Saturated Fat: XX g
- Monounsaturated Fat: XX g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: XX g
- Trans Fats: XX g

Attach a tag to each type of fat in the nutritional breakdown, enabling the AI to inform users of the health impacts and recommended daily intake.

Provide rich explanations and rationalisations for each type of fat and the decisions made in health recommendations via embeddings and create deliberate bias to surface fats nutritional data.

Saturated Fats: Saturated fats are solid fats found in foods like butter, cheese, and fatty meats. Eating too much of these fats might raise your cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. It's best to enjoy them in moderation.
Monounsaturated Fats: Monounsaturated fats are the 'good fats' found in foods like olive oil, avocados, and nuts. They can help lower cholesterol levels and are good for your heart. Including them in your diet is a smart choice.
Polyunsaturated Fats: Polyunsaturated fats are another type of good fat found in foods like sunflower oil, fish, and seeds. They're essential for your body and help keep your cells healthy. Eating foods rich in polyunsaturated fats can also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Trans Fats: Trans fats are unhealthy fats often found in processed foods like packaged snacks and fried foods. They raise bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. It's best to avoid them as much as possible for better heart health.

Create a feature to offer tailored advice based on the user's dietary goals or restrictions, highlighting meal plans with optimal fat profiles for their needs (e.g., "low saturated fat" for heart health).

HealthMD