Experts state that AI-supported menu planning can offer some benefits for healthy eating, but emphasize that AI should only be used as a guide and definitely supported by the recommendations of expert dietitians.
Nutritionist Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu, stating that AI-supported menu planning will remain a tool supporting the role of dietitians, said, 'Artificial intelligence can lighten the workload of dietitians and assist in routine analyses, but there is still a need for the experience of dietitians in understanding individuals' needs and developing appropriate solutions.'
Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, evaluated the creation and quality of menus by artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence should only be used as a guide!
Lecturer Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu, stating that AI-supported menu planning can offer some benefits for healthy eating, said, 'Artificial intelligence can help in recommending menus by considering nutrient balance within the context of personal data. For example, it can provide recommendations with adjusted nutritional values according to a specific health condition, age, or activity level. However, it is important to remember that artificial intelligence only makes data-driven decisions. This means it may overlook factors such as individuals' personal food preferences, cultural differences, or emotional states. Furthermore, the menus recommended by artificial intelligence may not fully suit everyone's individual health status. In other words, a healthy eating plan for one individual may not be suitable for another. Therefore, artificial intelligence should only be used as a guide and definitely supported by the recommendations of expert dietitians. It should be remembered that nutrition is unique to each individual.'
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool when organizing menus
Nutritionist Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu, noting that artificial intelligence cannot completely take over the role of traditional dietitians, said, 'Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool when creating nutrition plans and organizing menus, but elements such as people's food preferences, psychological states, and lifestyles require a much deeper analysis. Dietitians offer a more holistic approach by considering these personal and emotional factors. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, can provide more data-driven, generalized recommendations. In other words, artificial intelligence can lighten the workload of dietitians and assist in routine analyses, but there is still a need for the experience of dietitians in understanding individuals' needs and developing appropriate solutions. Therefore, AI-supported menu planning will remain a tool supporting the role of dietitians.'
Artificial intelligence can help restaurants optimize their menus
Hatunoğlu also stated that AI-supported menu planning could create some positive transformations in the restaurant and food services sector, continuing:
'Artificial intelligence can help restaurants optimize their menus by analyzing customer preferences and past data. This can increase customer satisfaction by bringing more popular dishes to the forefront. Additionally, it can improve the supply chain to reduce food waste. However, artificial intelligence completely replacing manual labor could lead to negative consequences for some restaurants, such as excessive automation and a loss of personal touch. Human interaction and direct communication with customers still play a significant role in many restaurants. In other words, while AI-supported menu planning provides efficiency and cost advantages in the sector, factors such as customer experience and traditional food preparation should also be considered.'
Artificial intelligence may not fully understand people's personal preferences!
Hatunoğlu concluded her remarks by pointing out that in the future, artificial intelligence could develop in creating more personalized menus and nutrition plans, saying, 'For example, it could offer more suitable recommendations based on individuals' health status and lifestyles. However, artificial intelligence may not fully understand people's personal preferences and cultural differences. Therefore, even as technology advances, it may have limitations in fully addressing individuals' needs.'