Resources·Nutrition Guide Level 1

12-week nutrition

Nutrition Guide Level 1.

Five method options ranging from done-for-you meal plans to full macro tracking. Pick what fits your life — and step up or down as your habits evolve.

Step 1 — Pick a method.

Five options, ordered easiest to most rigorous. Pick one and commit for 30 days. Revisit at the end of the month based on results and how it felt.

1

Done-for-you meal plan

Pre-built meals with a recipe book. Lowest decision load, easiest to follow.

Easiest
2

Food list to follow

An approved food list. You build the meals, but the ingredients are pre-vetted.

Easy
3

Portion control

The food list, plus hand-portion macros. Eat from the list, control the amounts.

Moderate
4

Calorie tracking with MyFitnessPal

Track total calories. More effort, more flexibility, more learning.

Rigorous
5

Calorie + macro tracking with MyFitnessPal

Track calories and protein, carbs, and fats. Most precise, most lifestyle-changing.

Most rigorous

For the first 30 days, document everything you eat and drink three times per week — including at least one weekend day. Use whichever method you picked above. The point isn't to report to anyone; it's to build honest awareness of what you're actually eating before the medication does its work.

Hand portions — the basics.

If you pick method 3 or higher, here's the framework. Use your own hand to size each portion. Goal-weight portions; adjust based on your protocol and patient care team guidance.

Protein

Palm-sized

One palm per meal

  • 4.5 oz chicken breast (skinless)
  • 4.5 oz bison burger
  • 4.5 oz lean turkey (93/7)
  • 4.5 oz pork tenderloin
  • 4.5 oz lean ground beef (93/7)
  • 4.5 oz any white fish
  • 1 cup egg whites or 4 whole eggs
  • 1 cup 0% cottage cheese
  • 1 cup 0% Greek yogurt
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 can tuna

Fat

Thumb-sized

One thumb per meal

  • 1 tbsp peanut or almond butter
  • 3/4 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp grass-fed butter
  • 3/4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 of a medium avocado
  • 1/8 cup any nuts
  • 3/4 tbsp cooking oil
Avoid: vegetable oil and canola oil.

Carbs

Fist-sized

One fist per meal

  • 3/4 cup sweet potato or red potato
  • 1/2 cup beans/legumes
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice
  • 1.5 slices Ezekiel bread
  • 1/2 cup dry rolled oats
  • 1 small baked potato
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 piece of fruit
  • 3/4 cup berries

Veggies

Fist-sized

One fist per meal — green and leafy preferred

  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Cauliflower
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Romaine, kale, mixed greens
Skip on Level 1: peas, carrots, corn, squash, zucchini, eggplant, pumpkin, beets.

Between-meal protein — for low-appetite days.

If you get hungry between meals, choose a protein source. On peptide protocols when appetite is lower, this becomes especially important — every bite has a bigger job to do.

Greek yogurtCottage cheeseHard-boiled eggsTurkey or chicken roll-upsBeef or turkey jerkyTuna packetEdamameString cheeseProtein barProtein shake

Sample meal planner.

Three rotating meal options, repeated across the week. Pick what fits, swap as needed.

BreakfastLunchDinner
Option 11 cup egg whites + berries + oats4.5 oz chicken + spinach + sweet potato4.5 oz white fish + broccoli + quinoa
Option 20% Greek yogurt + berries + nuts4.5 oz turkey + romaine + 1/4 avocado4.5 oz lean beef + asparagus + rice
Option 34 whole eggs + 1.5 slices EzekielTuna + mixed greens + olive oil4.5 oz pork + Brussels sprouts + potato

After 30 days — review.

At the end of your first month on a method, decide whether to continue or change.

  • If results and enjoyment are both there — continue another 30 days.
  • If results are slow or enjoyment is low — try the next method up (or down) the difficulty list.

The goal isn't to land on the most rigorous option. It's to land on the most sustainableoption for you, one that produces the results you're after.

The nutrition is half the work.

Pair this with a peptide or GLP-1 protocol when you're ready. The patient care team will help you put it together.