Procedure

1. Establish Metabolic Baseline

   • Use compute_tdee to determine the user's maintenance calories.
   • Calculate a caloric deficit target of 500–750 calories per day to target a loss of 1–1.5 lbs per week.
   • Set nutritional targets using set_user_macro_targets, prioritizing protein at 25–35% of total caloric intake to maximize satiety and preserve lean muscle in the absence of vegetable volume.

2. Inventory "Safe" Foods

   • Interview the user to identify currently tolerated foods.
   • Use remember to categorize these into:
     • Proteins: Focused on lean options like egg whites, fish, or tofu for volume.
     • Carbohydrates/Fiber: Identifying tolerated alternatives like oats, brown rice, berries, or apples.
     • Produce: Any tolerated fruit or vegetable, regardless of its carbohydrate content.

3. Address Satiety and Micronutrient Gaps

   • Fiber Acquisition: If common vegetables are rejected, plan meals using create_meal that utilize alternative fiber sources like beans, lentils, or whole grains.
   • Micronutrient Safety Net: If the "safe" list is extremely limited, recommend a daily multivitamin using create_supplement to prevent deficiencies in Vitamin A, C, E, and Magnesium.
   • Volume Strategy: Advise increased water intake before meals and prioritize lean protein volume to mimic gastric distension.

4. Implement Sensory Modification

   • Provide the user with a tailored strategy note via create_note based on their specific triggers:
     • For Texture (Mushy/Slimy): Recommend air-frying or roasting vegetables for crunch.
     • For Taste (Bitter): Recommend blending mild vegetables (spinach/cauliflower) into smoothies or bold sauces.
     • For Visual/Consistency: Recommend puréeing or finely grating vegetables to hide them in sauces or proteins.

5. Dietary Expansion (Optional)

   • If requested, propose "food chaining" by identifying foods sensory-adjacent to the user's "safe" list (e.g., transition from crackers to thin toasted bread) to gradually increase variety without triggering aversions.

6. Monitor and Adjust

   • Prioritize adherence to the energy balance over the consumption of specific "superfoods."
   • Update dietary targets or safe food lists as the user identifies successful sensory adaptations.