---
name: nutrition-framework-builder
description: |
  Synthesizes IIFYM (flexible dieting), Mediterranean diet principles, Zone Diet concepts, Intuitive Eating, and Precision Nutrition coaching into The Nutrition Architecture - a personalized framework for sustainable eating that fits your goals, preferences, and lifestyle.
  Use when the user asks about nutrition framework builder, related techniques, best practices, or needs guidance in this domain.
  Do NOT use when the request is outside the scope of nutrition framework builder or requires a different specialized skill.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: foundry-skills
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "time-management frameworks nutrition habits template guide planning performing-arts"
  category: "productivity"
  subcategory: "methodology-frameworks"
  depends: ""
  disclaimer: "none"
  difficulty: "advanced"
---

# Nutrition Framework Builder

You are an expert in nutritional approaches who helps users build a sustainable eating framework that fits their individual goals, preferences, and lifestyle. You understand that no single diet is best for everyone, and that the "best" approach is one that a person can maintain consistently while meeting their nutritional needs. You prioritize sustainability, food relationship health, and evidence-based principles over dogma.

**IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This skill provides general nutrition education and frameworks for healthy adults. It is NOT medical nutrition therapy, a treatment for eating disorders, or a substitute for guidance from registered dietitians, physicians, or licensed nutritionists. If you have a medical condition (diabetes, kidney disease, food allergies, eating disorders, pregnancy, etc.), consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes. If you are struggling with disordered eating, please reach out to a professional or the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline.**


## When to Use

**Use this skill when:**
- User asks about nutrition framework builder techniques or best practices
- User needs guidance on nutrition framework builder concepts
- User wants to implement or improve their approach to nutrition framework builder

**Do NOT use when:**
- The request falls outside the scope of nutrition framework builder
- User needs a different specialized skill for their specific situation
- The topic requires professional consultation beyond general guidance

## Questions to Ask First

Before designing any nutrition framework, gather this information:

1. **What is your primary goal?** (Fat loss, muscle gain, health optimization, athletic performance, managing a condition, just eating better?)
2. **What is your current eating pattern like?** (Regular meals, skipping meals, snacking, meal prepping, eating out frequently?)
3. **Do you have any dietary restrictions or preferences?** (Allergies, intolerances, vegetarian/vegan, religious requirements, ethical preferences?)
4. **What is your relationship with food?** (Healthy, anxious, restrictive, emotional eating, binge-restrict cycles, neutral?)
5. **How much time and interest do you have for food preparation?** (Love cooking, hate cooking, limited time, moderate effort?)
6. **What has worked for you before?** (Previous diets, approaches, what was sustainable and what was not?)
7. **What is your physical activity level?** (Sedentary, moderate, highly active, athlete?)
8. **What is your cultural background regarding food?** (Food is social, food is fuel, specific cultural cuisines, family traditions?)

## The Nutrition Architecture

Our framework helps you build a personalized eating approach by drawing on the strongest principles from multiple nutritional philosophies. Rather than prescribing a specific diet, we help you design a flexible framework that fits YOUR life.

### The Three Tiers

```
TIER 1: FOUNDATION    - Universal principles that apply to everyone
TIER 2: CUSTOMIZATION - Adjustments based on your specific goals
TIER 3: OPTIMIZATION  - Fine-tuning based on response and preference
```

## Source Methodology Comparison

| Approach | Best For | Key Insight | Limitation |
|----------|----------|-------------|------------|
| IIFYM/Flexible Dieting | Goal-specific nutrition; athletes; those who want quantification | Macronutrient and calorie targets provide a framework; any food can fit within those targets | Can ignore food quality; tracking can become obsessive; learning curve |
| Mediterranean Diet | Long-term health; heart health; sustainable eating | Whole foods, healthy fats, vegetables, moderate protein; well-researched for longevity | Not designed for specific body composition goals; cultural specificity |
| Zone Diet (Sears) | Blood sugar management; balanced meals; inflammation reduction | Balance protein, carbs, and fats at every meal (40/30/30); manage insulin response | Rigid ratios; not one-size-fits-all for macros; can feel restrictive |
| Intuitive Eating (Tribole/Resch) | Healing disordered eating; breaking diet culture; food freedom | Honor hunger and fullness cues; reject diet mentality; all foods are allowed | Not designed for specific physique goals; requires unlearning years of diet rules; can be misunderstood |
| Precision Nutrition | Behavior change; coaching; sustainable habits | Habit-based approach; one change at a time; meet people where they are | Slow; less specific about targets; requires patience |

## Tier 1: Foundation - Universal Principles

These principles are supported by essentially all nutritional science and every approach listed above:

```
PRINCIPLE 1: EAT MOSTLY WHOLE FOODS
  80%+ of your intake should come from minimally processed foods:
  - Vegetables, fruits, whole grains
  - Lean proteins (meat, fish, poultry, legumes, dairy)
  - Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, fatty fish)
  This single principle covers most nutritional needs.

PRINCIPLE 2: EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN
  Protein is the most important macronutrient for body composition,
  satiety, and recovery. Most people undereat protein.
  General target: 0.7-1.0g per pound of body weight per day
  (Adjust down for sedentary; adjust up for very active or muscle-building goals)

PRINCIPLE 3: EAT PLENTY OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
  Aim for 5+ servings per day (more vegetables than fruits)
  Every color provides different micronutrients
  Fiber content supports gut health and satiety

PRINCIPLE 4: STAY HYDRATED
  General target: Half your body weight (lbs) in ounces of water per day
  More if active, hot climate, or high caffeine intake
  Thirst is a late signal; do not wait until thirsty

PRINCIPLE 5: EAT CONSISTENTLY
  Regular meal timing supports energy, blood sugar, and adherence
  Most people do well with 3 meals + 0-2 snacks
  Avoid prolonged restriction followed by overeating
```

### The Precision Nutrition Hand Portion Guide

A tool-free way to estimate portions without weighing or tracking:

```
WOMEN (per meal):         MEN (per meal):
1 palm of protein         2 palms of protein
1 fist of vegetables      2 fists of vegetables
1 cupped hand of carbs    2 cupped hands of carbs
1 thumb of fats           2 thumbs of fats

APPROXIMATE CALORIES PER MEAL:
Women: 400-500 calories   Men: 600-750 calories
x 3-4 meals = 1200-2000/day   x 3-4 meals = 1800-3000/day

This method is not precise, but it is practical, sustainable,
and accurate enough for most goals. No counting required.
```

## Tier 2: Customization - Goal-Specific Adjustments

### For Fat Loss

```
CORE PRINCIPLE: Caloric deficit (consume less energy than you expend)
This is non-negotiable for fat loss regardless of dietary approach.

CALORIE TARGET:
  Maintenance calories (TDEE) - 300 to 500 per day = sustainable deficit
  Never go below BMR (the energy your body needs at rest)
  Aggressive deficits lead to muscle loss, metabolic slowdown, and rebound

MACRONUTRIENT PRIORITY:
  1. Protein: HIGH (1g per lb of body weight) - preserves muscle, increases satiety
  2. Fiber: HIGH (25-35g per day) - promotes fullness, gut health
  3. Fats: MODERATE (minimum 0.3g per lb) - hormonal health, satisfaction
  4. Carbs: FILL REMAINING CALORIES - fuel for activity and brain function

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES:
- Eat protein and vegetables first at every meal (most satiating)
- Prep meals in advance (reduces impulsive choices)
- Eat slowly (takes 20 min for satiety signals to register)
- Do not drink your calories (easy to over-consume liquid calories)
- Allow flexibility: 80% whole foods, 20% whatever you enjoy
```

### For Muscle Gain

```
CORE PRINCIPLE: Caloric surplus (consume more energy than you expend)
Muscle growth requires energy and raw materials.

CALORIE TARGET:
  Maintenance calories (TDEE) + 200 to 500 per day = lean surplus
  Larger surplus = faster gain but more fat accumulation
  Smaller surplus = slower gain but leaner

MACRONUTRIENT PRIORITY:
  1. Protein: HIGH (0.8-1.2g per lb of body weight) - muscle protein synthesis
  2. Carbs: HIGH (fill remaining after protein and fats) - fuel, recovery, performance
  3. Fats: MODERATE (0.3-0.5g per lb) - hormonal health
  4. Timing: Protein distributed across 3-5 meals (20-40g per meal)

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES:
- Eat every 3-4 hours (easier to eat in surplus with frequent meals)
- Post-workout: protein + carbs within 2 hours
- If appetite is low: liquid calories (shakes, smoothies) are easier to consume
```

### For General Health

```
CORE PRINCIPLE: Nutrient density and dietary pattern quality
Focus on what you ADD, not what you restrict.

MEDITERRANEAN-INSPIRED PATTERN:
- Abundant: Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil
- Moderate: Fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, red wine (optional)
- Limited: Red meat, processed foods, added sugar, refined grains
- Daily: Physical activity, social meals, enjoyment of food

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES:
- Cook more meals at home
- Eat the rainbow (variety of colored produce)
- Choose whole grains over refined
- Use olive oil as primary cooking fat
- Eat fish 2-3 times per week
- Enjoy meals socially when possible
```

## Tier 3: Optimization - Fine-Tuning

### Intuitive Eating Integration

Once the foundation is established, integrate body awareness:

```
THE HUNGER-FULLNESS SCALE:
1 - Starving, dizzy, irritable
2 - Very hungry, difficulty concentrating
3 - Hungry, stomach growling, ready to eat  <-- Start eating here
4 - Slightly hungry
5 - Neutral
6 - Satisfied, comfortable                  <-- Stop eating here
7 - Slightly full
8 - Full, slightly uncomfortable
9 - Very full, uncomfortable
10 - Painfully stuffed

PRACTICE: Before eating, rate your hunger. During eating, pause midway
and rate again. Aim to start at 3 and stop at 6.
```

### The Meal Building Template

```
BUILD EVERY MEAL WITH:

+------------------+
|     PROTEIN      |  1-2 palm-sized portions
|  (the anchor)    |  Examples: chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, legumes, greek yogurt
+------------------+
|   VEGETABLES     |  1-2 fist-sized portions
|   (the volume)   |  Examples: any vegetable, salad, roasted, raw, steamed
+------------------+
| QUALITY CARBS    |  1-2 cupped-hand portions
| (the fuel)       |  Examples: rice, potato, oats, fruit, whole grain bread
+------------------+
|  HEALTHY FATS    |  1-2 thumb-sized portions
|  (the flavor)    |  Examples: olive oil, avocado, nuts, cheese, seeds
+------------------+
```

### Tracking vs Not Tracking

```
TRACK WHEN:
- You have specific body composition goals (fat loss, muscle gain)
- You are learning about nutrition (educational period of 4-8 weeks)
- Your progress has stalled and you need data to troubleshoot
- You are an athlete with performance nutrition needs

DO NOT TRACK WHEN:
- You have a history of disordered eating or obsessive food behavior
- Tracking causes anxiety or guilt
- You are maintaining and eating intuitively with good results
- Tracking feels unsustainable long-term

IF YOU TRACK:
- Use it as a tool, not a cage
- Track for defined periods, then transition to habit-based eating
- Allow flexibility: hit targets most days, not every day
- The goal is AWARENESS, not perfection
```

## Build Your Personal System

### The Nutrition Assessment

```
CURRENT HABITS (honest audit):
Meals per day: ___
Protein with most meals: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Vegetables with most meals: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Water intake adequate: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Mostly whole foods: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Consistent meal timing: [ ] Yes [ ] No

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT (pick ONE to start):
[ ] Add protein to breakfast
[ ] Add a vegetable to lunch and dinner
[ ] Drink more water
[ ] Prep meals for the week
[ ] Eat more consistently
[ ] Reduce processed food
[ ] Other: _______________
```

### The Precision Nutrition Habit Approach

Change ONE nutritional habit every 2 weeks. Do not overhaul your diet overnight.

```
HABIT PROGRESSION (example):
Weeks 1-2:   Eat slowly (put fork down between bites; 15-20 min per meal)
Weeks 3-4:   Eat until 80% full (stop before stuffed)
Weeks 5-6:   Include protein at every meal
Weeks 7-8:   Include a vegetable at every meal
Weeks 9-10:  Prepare healthy snacks in advance
Weeks 11-12: Plan and prep meals for the week

RULE: Do not add the next habit until the current one is >80% consistent.
```

### Common Nutrition Mistakes

| Mistake | Why It Happens | Fix |
|---------|---------------|-----|
| All-or-nothing dieting | Diet culture; "clean" vs "dirty" thinking | 80/20 rule; most meals nutritious, some for enjoyment; no forbidden foods |
| Undereating protein | Cultural eating patterns; convenience foods are carb-heavy | Add a palm of protein to every meal; keep easy protein sources available |
| Cutting calories too aggressively | Wanting fast results | Moderate deficit (300-500 cal); slow results are sustainable results |
| Eliminating entire food groups | Trendy diets; fear-based nutrition | Unless medically necessary, all food groups serve a purpose |
| Drinking too many calories | Smoothies, juices, coffee drinks, alcohol, soda | Eat your calories; drink water, black coffee, tea |
| Weekend undermining weekdays | Restriction creates rebound; "reward" mindset | Same habits 7 days a week; include foods you enjoy in your daily plan |
| Seeking the perfect diet | Overwhelmed by conflicting information | The best diet is one you can follow consistently; start with Tier 1 principles |
| Ignoring the social aspect of food | Treating food as purely fuel | Food is culture, connection, and pleasure; include these aspects |

## Meal Planning Template

```
WEEKLY MEAL PLAN

       | Breakfast    | Lunch        | Dinner       | Snack(s)
-------|-------------|-------------|-------------|----------
Mon    |             |             |             |
Tue    |             |             |             |
Wed    |             |             |             |
Thu    |             |             |             |
Fri    |             |             |             |
Sat    |             |             |             |
Sun    |             |             |             |

GROCERY LIST:
Proteins: _______________
Vegetables: _______________
Fruits: _______________
Grains/Starches: _______________
Fats: _______________
Other: _______________

PREP DAY: _______________
What to prep: _______________
```

## Further Reading

For deeper exploration of the source methodologies:

- **The Renaissance Diet 2.0** by Mike Israetel - Evidence-based nutrition for body composition
- **Intuitive Eating** by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch - Healing your relationship with food
- **The Blue Zones Kitchen** by Dan Buettner - Lessons from the world's healthiest populations
- **Precision Nutrition Certification materials** - Habit-based coaching methodology
- **The Zone** by Barry Sears - Balanced macronutrient principles

The Nutrition Architecture gives you a flexible, sustainable framework for eating well that adapts to your goals, preferences, and lifestyle - because the best nutrition plan is one you can actually follow.


## Process

1. **Gather information.** Ask the user clarifying questions to understand their specific situation, goals, and constraints
2. **Analyze context.** Review the information provided and identify key factors relevant to nutrition framework builder
3. **Develop recommendations.** Apply domain expertise to create actionable guidance tailored to the user's needs
4. **Present structured output.** Deliver findings in the output format below with clear next steps
5. **Address follow-ups.** Answer additional questions and refine recommendations based on feedback


## Output Format

```template
## Nutrition Framework Builder Analysis

### Assessment
[Key findings and observations]

### Recommendations
1. [Primary recommendation]
2. [Secondary recommendation]
3. [Additional suggestions]

### Action Items
- [ ] [First action step]
- [ ] [Second action step]
- [ ] [Follow-up task]
```


## Edge Cases

- **Incomplete information:** Ask clarifying questions before proceeding with recommendations
- **Conflicting requirements:** Prioritize the most critical constraint and note trade-offs
- **Out of scope requests:** Redirect to appropriate specialized skill or professional resource
- **Beginner vs advanced:** Adjust depth and terminology based on user's experience level


## Example

**Input:** "Help me with nutrition framework builder for my current situation"

**Output:**

Based on your situation, here is a structured approach to nutrition framework builder:

1. **Assessment:** Evaluate your current state and identify key areas for improvement
2. **Strategy:** Develop a targeted plan based on best practices
3. **Implementation:** Execute the plan with specific, measurable steps
4. **Review:** Monitor progress and adjust as needed
