More people are using AI chatbots for diet advice, experts urge caution

In short: People are increasingly using AI chatbots for personalized diet guidance, but experts say it is best used as a starting point, not medical care.

What's going on

AI tools that answer questions in a chat format are being used for quick nutrition help, like meal ideas, calorie targets, or grocery lists. They are popular because they are easy to access, available 24/7, and can explain basics in simple terms.

These tools can also adjust advice based on what you tell them, such as your age, weight, activity level, and goals. A review from the British Dietetic Association found that AI often gets broad healthy eating advice right, like choosing more whole foods, drinking enough water, and cutting back on fried or fatty foods.

But experts warn that AI can miss important context. It usually does not fully understand your medical history, daily routine, or emotional relationship with food, and it may not handle details that matter for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. AI can also repeat outdated or incorrect information if the data it learned from were poor, which is like using an old cookbook without knowing which pages are wrong.

What to watch

Privacy and bias are ongoing concerns, especially if people share sensitive health details. Research suggests AI meal plans are improving and can be nutritionally adequate in some weight loss tests, but experts still describe them as promising rather than fully reliable. The safest rule is to use AI to learn and get organized, and to see a registered dietitian if you have a chronic condition, allergies, or disordered eating concerns.

Source: NYTimes