Can AI really tell you what you should be eating?

This week I'm stepping into the classroom at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), beginning my teaching stint, starting with a two-hour session on women's nutrition to post-graduate students.

I've spent a bit of time over the past couple of weeks putting together my presentation, and it's been an interesting exercise reflecting on what I actually see in clinic.

Because while studying nutrition gives you a great foundation, understanding how to apply that knowledge to real people is another thing altogether.

In my clinic, I work with women experiencing all sorts of challenges. Weight gain (particularly around the middle), fatigue, poor sleep, cravings, gut and digestive issues, hormonal changes, and concerns about cholesterol, blood pressure or blood sugar levels.

And while some of these women might have similar symptoms or goals, the reasons behind them can be completely different.

That's one of the things I really want the students to understand.

Which brings me to something I've been thinking about quite a bit lately.

Should we be using AI for nutrition advice?

AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming part of everyday life, and I can absolutely see the benefits when it comes to health and nutrition.

In fact, I use AI myself.

It can be brilliant for things like:

• Finding recipe inspiration based on ingredients you already have.

• Putting together a shopping list or helping plan meals for the week.

• Getting ideas for increasing the protein or fibre in your meals.

• Understanding unfamiliar nutrition terms or preparing questions to ask your health professional.

• Finding practical ways to make healthy eating easier when life is busy.

And I think that's fantastic. Anything that makes good nutrition more accessible and helps people make positive changes is worth exploring.

But here's where I think we need to be a little careful.

AI doesn't automatically know your medical history, medications, blood results, dieting history, lifestyle, or what might actually be contributing to the symptoms you're experiencing.

Even when you provide that information, it can still make mistakes, overlook important details or give you advice that sounds very convincing but isn't necessarily appropriate.

For example, two women might both be struggling to lose weight.

One could be navigating perimenopause, poor sleep and a demanding job, while the other might have a history of restrictive dieting, low muscle mass and an underlying health condition.

Giving them exactly the same nutrition plan probably isn't going to achieve the best outcome.

And this is where understanding the individual becomes so important.

A good example is GLP-1 weight-loss medication

I've recently developed a new eight-week nutrition programme specifically for people taking GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy.

One of the reasons I decided to develop this programme is because there's so much information circulating about these medications.

Some of it is excellent, evidence-based advice. But there's also plenty of misinformation, conflicting recommendations and, at times, unnecessary scaremongering.

I've seen everything from concerns about muscle loss to conflicting advice about how much protein people should be eating, whether they should be exercising and what they should do if they're struggling with side effects.

And the reality is that there isn't one approach that's going to suit everyone.

Someone experiencing nausea and struggling to eat enough needs a different strategy from someone whose appetite has returned or whose weight loss has plateaued.

That's why my programme focuses on the individual, their nutrition, symptoms, lifestyle and long-term goals rather than simply handing over a generic meal plan.

And the same principles apply whether someone is taking medication or not.

So, where does that leave us?

I think AI has a valuable place in helping us learn more about nutrition and make healthier choices.

But I'd encourage you to use it as a starting point rather than the final word, particularly if you're dealing with ongoing symptoms, a medical condition or conflicting advice.

Because knowing what to eat is only one part of the picture.

Understanding why you're making certain changes, whether they're appropriate for you, and how to make them work in your everyday life is just as important.

And sometimes, having someone look at the bigger picture can make all the difference.

Introducing my new Nutrition Deep Dive

For the first time, I'm offering a standalone 60-minute Nutrition Deep Dive for people who want personalised nutrition advice without committing to an ongoing programme.

Perhaps you're eating reasonably well but not seeing the results you'd hoped for. Maybe you're confused by conflicting advice, have questions about your current diet, or simply want to know where you could make some improvements.

During our one-hour session, we'll take a closer look at your current nutrition, health concerns and goals, identify areas that might be holding you back, and work through practical changes that suit you and your lifestyle.

You'll leave with a clearer understanding of what to focus on and some realistic next steps.

No complicated meal plans or complete diet overhauls. Just practical, personalised nutrition advice.

If you would like to book a 1 hour session, just click here.