KarbCoach: Sources, Citations, AI & Safety Information
This page explains how KarbCoach generates nutrition insights, how the Karb Score is calculated,
how serving-size assumptions work (for both text and photos), how AI models are used,
and the limitations of these estimates. All information provided here is intended for
general educational and wellness purposes only.
Key Reminder:
All descriptions, nutrient values, recommendations, assumptions, and estimates shown in KarbCoach
are generated by artificial intelligence and internal algorithms. They are not lab measurements,
not medical facts, and not personalized clinical advice.
1. Detailed Nutrition Sources and Methodology
1.1 Primary Nutrition Sources & Citations
KarbCoach’s core nutrient estimates for individual meals (for example, calories, protein, fat, carbs,
and key vitamins and minerals) are based on publicly available, non-medical food composition data and
general reference guidelines, including:
1.2 Methodology: How Individual Meal Nutrition Is Estimated
KarbCoach generates approximate nutrient estimates for a single meal by combining text analysis,
optional image analysis, food database matching, and user-provided corrections. All results are
approximations, not measurements.
1.2.1 Text-Based Meal Descriptions
When you describe a meal in text (for example, “I ate a burger and fries”):
-
The AI identifies probable foods and components (for example, burger patty, bun, cheese, condiments,
French fries, cooking oil).
-
Each item is mapped to the closest matching entry in USDA FoodData Central or similar public databases.
-
If you do not specify a portion, the system assumes a standard reference serving (for example,
one typical cheeseburger, one medium order of fries).
-
If you do specify a portion (for example, “2 burgers”, “2 cups of rice”, “half an avocado”),
those amounts are used to scale the nutrient estimates.
If you later send corrections, such as:
- “That was actually 2 burgers, not 1.”
- “Those fries were a small, not medium.”
- “It wasn’t ice cream, it was frozen Greek yogurt.”
KarbCoach updates its internal understanding of the meal, selects a more appropriate food profile if needed,
and recalculates the estimate. Users cannot directly edit nutrient values; all adjustments happen through
additional descriptions and corrections that you provide.
1.2.2 Photo-Based Meal Entries
When you upload a photo of a meal:
-
Computer-vision models attempt to identify visible foods (for example, “burger”, “fries”, “salad”)
and approximate relative portion sizes.
-
The image is interpreted using assumptions about plate size, common serving volumes, and typical recipes.
-
Each detected item is matched to a standard food profile in the referenced databases.
-
Portion sizes are estimated visually and then converted to approximate gram weights for nutrient calculation.
You can refine these estimates by adding clarifying text after the photo analysis, for example:
- “The bowl is about 2 cups.”
- “Those were sweet potato fries, not regular fries.”
- “There were two patties in the burger.”
The system then reinterprets the meal based on your clarification and recalculates the nutrient estimates.
1.2.3 Assumptions and Limitations
-
Default portions follow standard reference servings from nutrition databases when your portion is not specified.
-
Nutrient values are based on generalized profiles; real foods vary by brand, recipe, and preparation.
-
Daily Value percentages are based on FDA general adult guidelines, not personalized medical targets.
-
KarbCoach does not assume any specific age, gender, diagnosis, or metabolic condition when estimating nutrients.
Detailed Nutrition Disclaimer:
All nutrient values shown for individual meals are approximate, non-medical estimates based on public databases
and the information you provide. They may differ from actual values for your specific ingredients, brands, recipes,
and portions. These estimates are for general wellness and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for
professional nutrition or medical advice.
2. Comprehensive Nutrition Methodology and Sources
2.1 Additional Educational Sources & Citations
For daily, weekly, and pattern-based summaries, KarbCoach’s educational content is informed by widely recognized
public-health and nutrition-education resources, including:
2.2 Methodology: Whole-Day and Multi-Meal Insights
KarbCoach aggregates the approximate nutrient estimates for your individual meals (as described in Section 1) to
provide higher-level views across a day, week, or longer periods. These views are designed for reflection and
general pattern awareness, not for clinical decision-making.
2.2.1 Daily and Weekly Totals
-
Each logged meal contributes estimated nutrients (for example, total calories, protein, carbs, fats, fiber,
saturated fat, sodium).
-
KarbCoach sums these estimates across a chosen period to show cumulative totals.
-
The app may display approximate progress toward typical Daily Values (for example, “X% of typical daily fiber”)
using FDA DV references.
2.2.2 Pattern Summaries and Highlights
-
AI models may generate educational summaries such as “You logged several meals higher in added sugars this week”
or “You had many meals with vegetables and lean protein.”
-
These summaries are based on general dietary patterns (for example, higher fiber, lower added sugar, balanced
macros) as reflected in public-health guidance.
-
No medical risk scores, diagnoses, or disease predictions are produced.
2.2.3 Non-Personalized, Non-Clinical Nature
-
All comprehensive insights rely on the same approximate data as individual meals and are subject to compounding
estimation error.
-
KarbCoach does not adjust targets or thresholds based on your lab results, diagnoses, or medical treatment plans.
-
The content is designed for general lifestyle reflection only (for example, noticing if your week felt more
“balanced” in terms of meals, not for prescribing clinical actions).
Comprehensive Nutrition Disclaimer:
Whole-day and multi-day summaries in KarbCoach are built on the same approximate, non-medical nutrient estimates
used for individual meals. Because of estimation and logging imperfections, these views should be treated as rough
educational overviews—not as precise measurements or medical guidance.
3. Nutrition Analysis Sources and Methodology
This section covers features where you tap a specific meal or food item and receive more detailed analyses such as
“Carb Impact Analysis”, “Suggested Alternatives”, and “General Tips” for making healthier eating choices and
improving overall balance in what you eat at the same time or near the same time.
3.1 Sources & Citations for Meal-Level Analysis
3.2 Methodology: Carb Impact Analysis (Balance-Focused)
When you request a deeper analysis of a specific meal, the “Carb Impact Analysis” looks at how
carbohydrate-rich items fit into the overall balance of the meal, without measuring or predicting
your blood sugar or any lab value. It considers:
-
The estimated amount and type of carbohydrates (for example, refined starches, whole grains, added sugars,
fruit, starchy vs non-starchy vegetables).
-
The presence of fiber, protein, and fats in the same eating occasion and how they may help the meal feel more
balanced and sustaining in general.
-
The relative density of very concentrated, low-fiber carbohydrates compared with foods that are higher in fiber,
protein, and unsaturated fats.
The output is an educational description of whether the meal appears more concentrated in
carbohydrate and lower in other balancing nutrients, or more evenly distributed across protein, healthy fats,
fiber, and carbohydrates. It does not quantify or predict any specific physiological response.
3.3 Methodology: Suggested Alternatives
When KarbCoach offers “Suggested Alternatives” or “Healthier Swap Ideas” for a specific meal, it generally:
-
Starts from the current meal (for example, burger and fries) and looks for substitutions that improve overall
nutrient balance (for example, more fiber, more unsaturated fat, fewer ultra-processed items, less added sugar).
-
Draws on general guidance suggesting benefits of whole foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins,
and healthier fats.
-
Emphasizes realistic changes (for example, including a side salad, choosing grilled instead of deep-fried,
swapping sugary drinks for water or unsweetened options).
These are example ideas only. They are not prescriptions, medical advice, or tailored diet plans.
3.4 Methodology: General Tips & Coaching-Style Advice
“General Tips” and “Coaching-Style” comments are generated by AI using:
-
The meal’s approximate nutrient profile (for example, higher in saturated fat or added sugar, lower in fiber,
or more balanced across macronutrients).
-
Broad public-health themes (for example, including more fiber-rich foods for satiety, choosing unsaturated fats
more often, reducing highly processed snack foods).
-
Your broader log context (for example, repeating patterns like frequent heavy late-night meals vs more balanced
earlier meals).
These comments are designed as gentle, general-wellness reflections to help you experiment with more balanced
meals over time.
Nutrition Analysis Disclaimer:
Carb Impact Analyses, Suggested Alternatives, and General Tips are educational interpretations of approximate
nutrition data and public-health guidance. They do not measure, predict, or manage any medical condition and
should not replace individualized advice from a healthcare or nutrition professional.
4. Karb Score Sources and Methodology
The Karb Score is a non-clinical, educational index that summarizes how
concentrated or balanced a meal appears across major nutrient categories—especially carbohydrates, fiber,
fats, and protein—based on patterns in your logged food. It is not a medical measurement and does not
quantify or predict any specific physiological response.
4.1 Sources & Citations Relevant to Karb Score
4.2 Methodology: How Karb Score Is Derived
The Karb Score is generated from the AI-estimated description of your meal and its approximate nutrient profile.
It uses a proprietary, non-clinical formula that combines factors such as:
-
Estimated carbohydrate content and quality (for example, more refined, low-fiber sources versus higher-fiber,
minimally processed sources).
-
Presence of fiber, protein, and fats—especially unsaturated fats—which can indicate a more balanced and
sustaining meal pattern in general.
-
Overall meal size, based on serving-size assumptions (for example, a very concentrated, large portion vs a
more moderate portion).
-
Degree of processing and inclusion of foods commonly associated with a more inflammatory overall pattern
(for example, frequent deep-fried items or heavily processed snacks) versus more whole-food–oriented meals.
-
General considerations of meal composition and timing (for example, mixing protein, fiber, and fat with
carbohydrate in the same eating occasion), inspired by research on meal sequencing and post-meal patterns,
but without measuring or predicting physiological values.
These elements are combined into a simplified index meant to help you compare meals in terms of how nutritionally
concentrated or balanced they appear. A higher or lower score reflects a relative pattern in the context of
the KarbCoach system—not a medical evaluation or measurement.
4.3 What Karb Score Is Not
- It is not the grams of carbohydrate, sugar, or fiber in your meal.
- It is not your blood glucose level or a prediction of any blood-sugar curve.
- It is not a glycemic index or glycemic load value validated in a lab.
- It is not a diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention tool for any condition.
- It does not replace any medical device, CGM, lab test, or professional care.
Karb Score Disclaimer:
Karb Score is a simplified, non-clinical index built on approximate data and pattern-based rules about meal
composition and balance. It does not measure or predict your actual blood sugar, inflammation, insulin, or
health status, and must not be used to make medical decisions, adjust medications, or manage any health condition.
5. How KarbCoach Uses AI & LLMs
KarbCoach uses large language models (“LLMs”) and related AI models (including services like ChatGPT-style models)
to generate:
- Food and meal descriptions;
- Estimated nutrient profiles for meals;
- Educational explanations and commentary;
- Non-clinical indices such as the Karb Score;
- Coaching-style suggestions and pattern summaries.
When you enter text (for example, “I ate a burger, fries and a soda”) or upload a meal photo, this content may be
sent to our AI service providers so they can generate an estimated description and nutrient summary.
LLM Sources & Methodology:
KarbCoach does not control or see the full training data of these AI models. Training data may include a mix of
licensed content, human-created data, publicly available information, and model provider–generated synthetic data.
We layer KarbCoach-specific logic and guardrails on top of these models, informed by the scientific sources listed
in the sections above.
All AI outputs in the app (including meal descriptions, nutrient estimates, recommendations, assumptions, and
Karb Score values) are machine-generated approximations. They:
- May be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect;
- Can vary if the same meal is analyzed multiple times;
- Are not tailored to your medical history or lab results;
- Are not a substitute for professional medical or nutrition advice.
6. What KarbCoach Is and Is Not
6.1 What KarbCoach Is
- An educational tool to help you reflect on meal patterns and overall nutrient balance;
- A way to visualize how different types of meals might differ in how concentrated they are in certain nutrients
(for example, more heavily carbohydrate-focused vs more balanced across protein, fats, and fiber);
- A place to experiment with food logs, non-clinical indices (like Karb Score), and AI-generated explanations;
- A general wellness and lifestyle-support application.
6.2 What KarbCoach Is NOT
- It is not a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or blood sugar measuring device;
- It does not measure, estimate, or predict your real-time glucose, insulin, or other biomarkers;
- It is not a medical device, diagnostic tool, or clinical decision support system;
- It is not a substitute for diabetes management tools, medical nutrition therapy, or treatment plans;
- It is not a replacement for professional care from physicians, endocrinologists, or dietitians;
- It does not guarantee weight loss, metabolic improvement, or any specific health outcome.
7. Safety & Medical Disclaimer
KarbCoach does not provide medical advice.
All descriptions, nutrient values, serving-size assumptions, Karb Score values,
and AI-generated recommendations in KarbCoach are:
- Generated by AI and internal algorithms;
- Approximate and sometimes incorrect;
- Intended solely for general educational and wellness purposes.
They:
- Do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease;
- Do not approximate or predict your actual blood sugar, insulin, or other lab values;
- Should not be used to make decisions about medications, insulin dosing, or medical treatment.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical, nutritional, or dietary guidance.
Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you see in KarbCoach.