Is it safe to generate a personalised diet plan using ChatGPT? Here's what expert says

AI-based solutions have already become a part of everyday life, and more people are using ChatGPT and other AI chatbots to create personalised diet plans. With immediate meal planning, calorie breakdown charts, and fast answers without consulting fees or appointments, the convenience and flexibility are undeniable. But can these AI-generated diet charts take the place of an expert nutritional guidance?

To understand the pros and cons behind this growing trend, News Ei Samay spoke to Dr. Cheenam Bhatia Saund, who is a Senior Dietitian at Sri Guru Ram Dass University of Health Sciences and Research and has over 14 years of clinical experience. Her response was clear, firm and cautionary.

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‘An AI diet is a template’

According to Dr. Bhatia, the biggest misconception is that AI can offer precise nutritional recommendations simply based on user inputs.

“An AI diet is a template. It cannot match the holistic care that a qualified healthcare professional provides.” She explains that while AI can process user-provided data but it cannot conduct physical examinations, review medical reports, or interpret symptoms, all of which are essential in designing a safe diet.

The hidden dangers of swapping dietitians for ChatGPT

Hundreds of users now rely on AI tools for weight loss, medical diets, or fitness nutrition and while doing so some end up harming their health.

Dr. Bhatia listed some of the biggest dangers:

Incorrect calorie or macro calculations, which can lead to severe nutrient imbalance.

Failure to identify medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, PCOS or liver disease.

Missing allergies, intolerances or lifestyle limitations.

No ability to detect deficiencies like iron, B12 or Vitamin D because it cannot analyse blood tests.

Potentially dangerous errors, where AI confuses measurements or gives visually convincing but clinically wrong information.

“I have treated many clients who followed AI diets and returned with worsened or deranged reports.”

What AI completely misses in your ‘custom’ diet?

Even when an AI-generated diet looks structured and professional, Dr. Bhatia warns that it may still overlook important health details:

Hormonal patterns

Metabolic rate

Previous medical history

Existing medication

Cultural food habits

Safe supplementation levels

This lack of personalisation can make AI diets unsuitable or even unsafe for long-term use.

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Should you avoid AI diet tools completely?

Dr. Bhatia doesn’t rule out AI altogether. She points out that ChatGPT can be used in limited, non-medical ways.

“AI can be used as a supplementary tool like for recipes, grocery lists or general nutrition information — but never as a substitute for a dietitian.”

She concluded by saying that AI should act like an information guide, not a meal planner and “for any personalised dietary needs or medical conditions, consult a qualified dietitian or physician.”