Claude for Dietitians: Meal Plans, ADIME Notes & Free Plugin

Registered dietitians use Claude to turn their own targets and assessment data into draft meal plans, ADIME nutrition assessments, MNT progress notes and plain-language client handouts, then check the numbers and the clinical fit before anything reaches a client. Claude doesn't assess clients, set nutrition prescriptions or replace your nutrient database, and it should only see de-identified details.

Below: one meal plan drafted from a set of targets, the free Dietitian plugin and its four commands, five more practice tasks, and plain answers on meal plans, scope of practice and HIPAA.

Worked example: a meal plan for a vegetarian runner

A client training for a half marathon wants a day-by-day eating plan. You've already set the targets. In Claude, type /meal-plan, pick it from the menu, then paste the details. The client is "Client A", with no name or contact details:

Meal plan. Client A, 30F, vegetarian, training for a half marathon (runs 4x/week).
Targets I've set: 2,200 kcal; 55% carbohydrate / 20% protein / 25% fat.
Avoids gluten by preference (not celiac). No allergies.
Include pre- and post-run snacks and a hydration note.

Claude returns a structured plan (shortened here):

INDIVIDUALIZED MEAL PLAN — DRAFT FOR DIETITIAN REVIEW
Client: Client A | Diet type: Vegetarian, gluten-free by preference, endurance training

DAILY TARGETS (from dietitian)
Calories: 2,200 kcal | Carbohydrate: ~303 g (55%) | Protein: ~110 g (20%) | Fat: ~61 g (25%)
Fiber, sodium, fluid: [dietitian to set]

SAMPLE DAY (portions and per-meal values: verify in your nutrient analysis software)
Breakfast: overnight oats made with certified gluten-free oats, Greek yogurt, berries, chia seeds
Pre-run snack: banana with a small amount of peanut butter
Lunch: quinoa bowl with black beans, roasted vegetables, feta, olive-oil dressing
Post-run snack: chocolate milk or soy milk with a gluten-free granola bar
Dinner: tofu stir-fry with rice and mixed vegetables
...
HYDRATION
[Dietitian to individualize based on sweat rate, climate and training load]

What's left for you: run the portions through your nutrient analysis software (Claude's per-meal numbers are estimates and can be off), check iron, B12 and other nutrients you'd normally watch in a vegetarian athlete, and fit the plan to the client's actual schedule and food budget.

The free Dietitian plugin: four commands

The Dietitian plugin is free. Type a command and pick it from the menu; pasting it sends plain text instead of running it.

Command	What it drafts
`/meal-plan`	Individualized meal plans with macronutrient targets, sample days and swaps
`/nutrition-assessment`	Nutrition assessments with dietary analysis, anthropometrics and clinical findings
`/progress-note`	Progress notes on adherence, lab trends, weight changes and plan adjustments
`/client-education`	Education handouts on a dietary topic, condition or lifestyle change

Two skills switch on by themselves when they're relevant: Clinical Nutrition and Dietary Communication.

To install it in the Claude desktop app: Customize → Plugins → Add → Add marketplace → Add from a repository, paste alexclowe/awesome-claude-cowork-plugins, click Sync, then click Add next to Dietitian under Discover. Plugins need a paid Claude plan. In Claude Code: run /plugin marketplace add alexclowe/awesome-claude-cowork-plugins, then /plugin install dietitian@awesome-claude-cowork-plugins. Full steps are on the plugin page.

Set up a Claude Project for your nutrition practice

Step 1: Create a Nutrition Project. In Claude, go to Projects and create one called "Nutrition Practice" or similar. This is your persistent workspace with context that carries across conversations.

Step 2: Set your custom instructions. In the Project settings, add:

You are my nutrition and dietetics documentation assistant. Here is my context:

<practice-profile>
- Role: [RD / RDN / Clinical dietitian / Private practice / Community nutrition / Sports dietitian]
- Setting: [Hospital / Outpatient clinic / Private practice / Long-term care / Telehealth]
- State: [Your State]
- EHR system: [Healthie, SimplePractice, Practice Better, Epic, Cerner, etc.]
- Specialty areas: [Weight management / Diabetes / Renal / Oncology / Eating disorders / GI / Pediatric / Sports nutrition]
- Documentation style: [ADIME format, SOAP format, narrative notes]
</practice-profile>

<rules>
- Nutrition assessments should follow the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Process (NCP) framework
- Always use standardized IDNT (International Dietetics and Nutrition Terminology) when appropriate
- Meal plans should account for stated preferences, allergies, intolerances, and cultural considerations
- Client education materials should use plain language at an 8th-grade reading level
- Never generate content for a specific identifiable client — all scenarios must use de-identified information
- Remind me to verify all clinical and nutritional details before finalizing documentation
- Do not provide medical nutrition therapy recommendations outside the RD scope unless specified
</rules>

Step 3: Upload your templates. Add your preferred assessment template, meal plan format, any insurance-specific documentation requirements for MNT coverage, and your standard client handout format.

Step 4: Always work inside this Project. Every new conversation inherits your context automatically.

Five more dietetics tasks to hand Claude

1. Nutrition Assessments

Comprehensive nutrition assessments require synthesizing multiple data points into a coherent clinical picture. Claude drafts structured assessments from your collected data.

<task>Draft a nutrition assessment using the ADIME format from these details (de-identified client).</task>

<context>
- 52-year-old male, referred by PCP for diabetes management
- Dx: Type 2 diabetes (A1c 8.4%), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, BMI 33.2
- Labs: FBG 178, A1c 8.4%, TC 245, LDL 155, TG 210, eGFR 72
- Meds: Metformin 1000mg BID, lisinopril 20mg, atorvastatin 40mg
- Diet history: Skips breakfast, large lunch and dinner, 3-4 sodas/day, minimal fruits/vegetables, frequent fast food (4-5x/week), evening snacking
- 24-hr recall: No breakfast, lunch — double cheeseburger meal with large fries and regular soda, dinner — fried chicken, rice, canned corn, 2 beers, snack — chips and salsa
- Activity: Sedentary, desk job, no structured exercise
- Client goals: "Get my sugar under control, my doctor says I need to change my diet"
</context>

<instructions>
Use ADIME format (Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring/Evaluation). Include nutrition diagnoses using IDNT terminology. Provide specific, actionable intervention recommendations. Keep the assessment thorough but concise.
</instructions>

<avoid>Specific identifiable patient information, medical treatment recommendations outside RD scope.</avoid>

2. Individualized Meal Plans

Meal plans must balance medical requirements, personal preferences, and practical reality. Claude generates structured plans that clients can actually follow.

<task>Create a 3-day sample meal plan for a de-identified client.</task>

<context>
- 38-year-old female, diagnosed with IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant)
- Currently in elimination phase of low-FODMAP diet
- Allergies: Tree nuts
- Preferences: Prefers Mediterranean-style cooking, vegetarian 3-4 days/week, dislikes tofu
- Calorie target: ~1800 kcal/day
- Schedule: Works 9-5, meal preps on Sundays, limited time for weekday cooking (30 min max)
- Household: Cooks for herself and partner (partner eats standard diet)
</context>

<instructions>
Create a 3-day meal plan (2 weekdays, 1 weekend day) that is:
- Low-FODMAP compliant (elimination phase)
- Tree nut free
- Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 1 snack per day
- Lists approximate portions and macros per meal
- Includes a grocery list organized by store section
- Notes which meals can be meal-prepped ahead

Each meal should have 3-5 ingredients maximum for weekday meals.
</instructions>

<avoid>High-FODMAP ingredients, tree nuts, overly complex recipes for weekdays, brand-name products.</avoid>

3. Client Education Materials

Clients need take-home materials that reinforce your counseling session. Claude generates condition-specific handouts in accessible language.

<task>Create a client education handout about carbohydrate counting for diabetes management.</task>

<context>
- Target audience: Newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes clients with no prior nutrition education
- Reading level: 8th grade, no clinical jargon
- Goal: Teach basic carb counting for blood sugar management
</context>

<instructions>
Include:
- What carbohydrates are and why they matter for blood sugar (2-3 sentences)
- Common foods that contain carbs (organized by category: grains/starches, fruits, dairy, sweets/sugars)
- What a "serving" of carbs looks like (visual comparisons — fist, palm, etc.)
- A simple method for reading nutrition labels for total carbs
- A sample plate method as an alternative to counting
- 3 practical tips for managing carbs at meals
- When to contact their dietitian (highs/lows, confusion, questions)

Keep it to one page. Use bullet points and short paragraphs.
</instructions>

<avoid>Specific gram targets without individualization context, medical advice about medication adjustment, fear-based language about food.</avoid>

4. Progress Notes for MNT Documentation

Progress notes must demonstrate medical necessity for continued Medical Nutrition Therapy coverage. Claude helps structure notes that satisfy payer requirements.

<task>Draft a progress note for an MNT follow-up visit (de-identified client).</task>

<context>
- 52-year-old male, Type 2 diabetes, visit 3 of 6 (initial MNT benefit year)
- Interval changes since last visit (4 weeks ago):
  - A1c: Pending (was 8.4% at initial)
  - FBG self-monitoring: Averaging 145 (was 178 at initial)
  - Weight: Down 4 lbs (BMI 32.5, was 33.2)
  - Diet changes implemented: Reduced soda to 1/day (was 3-4), eating breakfast 5 days/week, added 1 serving vegetables at dinner
  - Still struggling with: Fast food at lunch (3x/week, down from 5x), evening snacking
- Session focus: Lunch strategies, label reading for packaged foods, reviewed blood sugar logs
- Nutrition diagnoses: Excessive carbohydrate intake (NI-5.8.2), physical inactivity (NB-2.1)
</context>

<instructions>
Format as an ADIME progress note suitable for MNT billing (97803). Document measurable progress, ongoing nutrition diagnoses, updated interventions, and plan for next visit. Emphasize medical necessity for continued MNT services.
</instructions>

<avoid>Patient identifiers, specific billing codes beyond the CPT reference, language that could suggest the client has reached maximum benefit.</avoid>

5. Grocery List Guides and Practical Tools

Clients consistently ask for practical shopping guidance. Claude generates tailored grocery guides that align with their nutrition plan.

<task>Create a grocery shopping guide for a de-identified client managing high cholesterol through diet.</task>

<context>
- Client profile: 60-year-old male, hyperlipidemia (TC 255, LDL 165), declined statin therapy, wants to try dietary management first
- Diet approach: Heart-healthy, Mediterranean-style, targeting increased fiber and omega-3s, reduced saturated fat
- Budget: Moderate, shops at standard grocery stores
- Cooking skill: Intermediate, willing to cook 4-5 nights/week
- Household: Two adults
</context>

<instructions>
Create a grocery guide organized by store section that includes:
- Produce: Top 10 fruits and vegetables to prioritize and why
- Proteins: Best choices (fish, legumes, poultry) with specific examples and what to limit
- Grains: Whole grain options to look for, how to read labels for fiber content
- Dairy: Heart-healthy swaps (e.g., plant-based alternatives, low-fat options)
- Fats and oils: What to buy and what to skip (with brief explanation)
- Pantry staples: 8-10 items to keep stocked
- A "quick wins" section: 5 easy swaps they can make immediately

Include a brief note at the top about general label-reading tips for heart health.
</instructions>

<avoid>Specific brand names, implying that diet alone will replace medication if needed, guaranteed outcomes for cholesterol reduction.</avoid>

Prompting tips for dietitians

1. Specify the dietary protocol precisely. "Low-FODMAP elimination phase" is much better than "low-FODMAP." Claude needs to know the exact phase, restriction level, or dietary approach to generate compliant content.

2. Include labs and anthropometrics. When generating assessments or progress notes, providing specific lab values and measurements gives Claude the data it needs to write clinically meaningful documentation.

3. State cultural and preference context. Always mention the client's food preferences, cultural background, and cooking reality. "Vegetarian, Indian cuisine preferred, cooks for a family of four" produces dramatically better meal plans than generic prompts.

4. Set the reading level explicitly for client materials. Add "plain language, 8th-grade reading level, no nutrition jargon" every time you generate client-facing content. Compliance improves when clients understand the material.

5. Ask Claude to check for completeness. Paste a finished note and ask: "Review this MNT progress note for documentation completeness, medical necessity support, and any gaps a payer might flag during audit." This catch-and-fix approach prevents claim issues.

6. Use Claude to generate multiple meal options. Say "Give me 5 different breakfast options that fit these parameters" instead of asking for one. Clients are more likely to adhere when they have choices.

Can Claude make meal plans for dietitians?

Yes, as a starting draft built around targets you set. Give Claude the calorie and macronutrient targets, restrictions, preferences and schedule, and it lays out a sample day with swaps. Its nutrient numbers are estimates, so check portions in your nutrient analysis software, and decide yourself whether the plan suits the client's medical picture.

Can Claude provide medical nutrition therapy?

No. Medical nutrition therapy is the dietitian's job: you assess the client, set the nutrition diagnosis and prescription, and monitor the results. Claude can draft the paperwork around MNT, such as ADIME notes, progress notes and handouts, from data you give it, but the clinical decisions, your scope of practice and your state licensure rules stay with you.

Is Claude HIPAA compliant for dietitians?

Only in narrow setups, and never through this plugin. As of October 2026, Anthropic's Privacy Center says it signs a business associate agreement (BAA) for HIPAA-ready services, such as its own API, Claude in Microsoft Foundry, and Enterprise plans where the Primary Owner turns HIPAA on; the Free, Pro and Max consumer plans aren't among them.

Anthropic's help center also says plugins, skills, connectors and MCP servers aren't covered by the BAA even on a HIPAA-ready Enterprise plan. So whatever plan you use, give the Dietitian plugin de-identified details only: describe a client by age, condition, labs and diet history, never by name, initials, birth date, address or insurance ID. If you work for a hospital or group practice, its AI policy applies too.

Sources: Business Associate Agreements for Commercial Customers and Use Claude Code and Cowork on a HIPAA-ready Enterprise plan (both checked October 2026).

Can Claude write ADIME notes?

Yes. Give Claude the assessment data, your nutrition diagnosis in PES form, the intervention and your monitoring plan, and it arranges them into Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, and Monitoring and Evaluation sections. The diagnosis and plan must be yours; if the draft adds a lab value or finding you didn't provide, delete it.

Is Claude or ChatGPT better for dietitians?

Both can draft a handout or a sample menu from good input. The differences that matter more are which tool your workplace allows and whether you want ready-made commands for meal plans, assessments and progress notes, which is what the Dietitian plugin adds on the Claude side.

There's a fuller side-by-side in ChatGPT vs Claude for dietitians.