Template-Based Meal Composition

This skill uses template-based optimization to create realistic meal plans that look like what humans actually eat. Unlike Stigler-style optimization (which spreads across many foods), this approach selects one protein + one legume + vegetables per meal.

Why Template-Based?

Problem with Stigler-style optimization:

code

Breakfast: Lettuce 325g, Onions 100g, Brussels Sprouts 100g, Kale 125g
Lunch:     Beans 200g, Onions 150g, Brussels Sprouts 150g, Lettuce 350g
Dinner:    Beans 200g, Onions 150g, Brussels Sprouts 150g, Lettuce 350g (IDENTICAL!)

Template-based produces:

code

Breakfast: Eggs 150g, Edamame 100g, Kale 100g
Lunch:     Cod 235g, Kidney beans 216g, Zucchini 161g
Dinner:    Salmon 170g, Lentils 113g, Carrots 149g
Snack:     Peanuts 30g

Quick Start

bash

# Basic template-based optimization
uv run llmn optimize --pattern pescatarian --template --json

# With multiple patterns
uv run llmn optimize --pattern pescatarian --pattern slow_carb --template --json

# With reproducible seed
uv run llmn optimize --pattern pescatarian --template --seed 42 --json

# With goal-based targets
uv run llmn optimize --pattern pescatarian --template --goal "fat_loss:185lbs:165lbs" --json

Available Patterns

Pattern	Protein Sources	Carb Sources	Notes
`pescatarian`	Fish, eggs	Legumes, grains	No meat
`vegetarian`	Eggs, tofu, cheese	Legumes, grains	No meat/fish
`vegan`	Tofu, tempeh	Legumes, grains	Plant-based
`keto`	Fish, eggs, meat	Fats (not carbs!)	Very low carb
`mediterranean`	Fish, poultry	Grains, legumes	+ olive oil
`paleo`	Meat, fish, eggs	Starchy veg, fruits	No legumes/grains
`slow_carb`	Any protein	Legumes only	No white carbs

Combine patterns: --pattern pescatarian --pattern slow_carb

Workflow

Step 1: Identify User's Diet Type

Map to patterns:

•"I'm pescatarian" → --pattern pescatarian
•"I'm vegetarian" → --pattern vegetarian
•"I'm vegan" → --pattern vegan
•"I eat everything" → --pattern mediterranean or --pattern paleo

Step 2: Identify Diet Style

•"Slow carb" → add --pattern slow_carb
•"Keto" or "low carb" → use --pattern keto
•"Mediterranean" → use --pattern mediterranean

Step 3: Identify Goals

Use the --goal flag:

•Weight loss: --goal "fat_loss:185lbs:165lbs" (current:target)
•Maintenance: --goal "maintenance:165lbs"
•Muscle gain: --goal "muscle_gain:165lbs:175lbs"

Step 4: Run Optimization

bash

uv run llmn optimize --pattern pescatarian --pattern slow_carb --template --goal "fat_loss:185lbs:165lbs" --json

Step 5: Present Results

Template output has per-meal structure:

json

{
  "meals": {
    "breakfast": {
      "foods": [
        {"description": "Egg, whole, cooked, fried", "grams": 150, "slot": "protein"},
        {"description": "Edamame, frozen, prepared", "grams": 100, "slot": "legume"},
        {"description": "Kale, raw", "grams": 100, "slot": "vegetable"}
      ],
      "totals": {"calories": 450, "protein": 35}
    },
    "lunch": {...},
    "dinner": {...},
    "snack": {...}
  },
  "daily_totals": {"calories": 1920, "protein": 175}
}

Present each meal with its foods and macros.

How It Works

Phase 1 - Selection (Discrete):

•For each meal, select one food per slot (protein, legume, vegetables)
•Enforce diversity: once a food is selected, exclude it from future meals
•Selection is random with optional --seed for reproducibility

Phase 2 - Optimization (Continuous):

•Run small QP (~16-20 variables) with only selected foods
•Use slot-specific target portions (protein=175g, legume=125g, vegetables=100g)
•Optimize to meet calorie/protein constraints

Tips

•Use --seed for reproducibility: Same seed = same meal plan
•Run multiple times: Different random selections give variety
•Combine patterns: --pattern pescatarian --pattern slow_carb is powerful
•Check the slots: Each food shows which slot it fills (protein/legume/vegetable)

Comparison with Other Modes

Feature	Template	Multi-period	Single-period
Meal structure	By design	Constrained	None
Different foods/meal	By design	Not guaranteed	N/A
Exact per-meal calories	Approximate	Exact	N/A
Food-meal affinity	Built-in	Manual config	N/A
Complexity	Simple	Complex	Simple

Example Session

User: "I want realistic meals, not the same vegetables everywhere"

•Ask: Diet type? (pescatarian/vegetarian/vegan/omnivore)
•Ask: Any diet style? (slow-carb/keto/mediterranean)
•Ask: Goal? (weight loss/maintenance/muscle gain)

•Run:

bash

uv run llmn optimize --pattern pescatarian --pattern slow_carb --template --goal "fat_loss:185lbs:165lbs" --json

•
Show results:
- •Breakfast: Eggs 150g, Edamame 100g, Kale 100g
- •Lunch: Cod 235g, Kidney beans 216g, Zucchini 161g
- •Dinner: Salmon 170g, Lentils 113g, Carrots 149g
- •Snack: Peanuts 30g
•Offer: Different seed for variety, adjust goal, generate recipes