Dietary Restrictions
Track food allergies, dietary preferences, and restrictions for each family member in Nook.
Nook helps you track dietary restrictions and preferences for each family member. This information is used throughout the app to help with meal planning and grocery shopping.
Why Track Dietary Info
Tracking dietary information helps Nook:
- Filter recipes for compatible ingredients
- Warn when meal plans include restricted foods
- Generate appropriate grocery lists
- Suggest suitable meal alternatives
Setting Dietary Restrictions
For each family member:
- Go to Settings > Family
- Click on the member's profile
- Scroll to Dietary Information
- Add restrictions and preferences
- Click Save
Types of Restrictions
Allergies
Serious food allergies that must be avoided:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Wheat/Gluten
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
Important: Allergies are treated as strict restrictions. Recipes with these ingredients will be flagged with warnings.
Intolerances
Foods that cause discomfort but aren't allergies:
- Lactose intolerance
- Gluten sensitivity
- FODMAP sensitivity
Dietary Preferences
Lifestyle choices that affect food selection:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Pescatarian
- Keto
- Paleo
- Halal
- Kosher
Dislikes
Foods the person simply doesn't like:
- Specific vegetables
- Certain proteins
- Particular cuisines
Dislikes are softer restrictions—they'll be noted but won't trigger warnings.
How Restrictions Appear
In Recipes
Recipes show compatibility icons:
- ✓ Green check - Safe for everyone
- ⚠️ Warning - Contains a restricted ingredient
- 🥜 Allergen icon - Contains a common allergen
In Meal Plans
When adding a meal with restricted ingredients:
- A warning appears before confirming
- The restriction and affected member are listed
- You can proceed or choose a different recipe
In Grocery Lists
Items that contain allergens are marked:
- Allergen warnings appear next to items
- You can filter to show only safe items
Managing Multiple Restrictions
When family members have different restrictions:
Example: Mixed Household
| Member | Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Mom | Vegetarian |
| Dad | None |
| Emma | Peanut allergy |
| Jack | Dairy intolerance |
Nook helps by:
- Highlighting recipes safe for everyone
- Suggesting recipe modifications
- Organizing grocery lists appropriately
Finding Compatible Recipes
Use the recipe filter to find meals that work for everyone:
- Go to Meals > Recipes
- Click Filter
- Select Safe for all family members
- Browse compatible recipes
Custom Restrictions
Add restrictions not in the preset list:
- Go to the member's profile
- Click Add Custom Restriction
- Enter the food or ingredient
- Select severity (allergy, intolerance, preference, dislike)
- Save
Updating Restrictions
Dietary needs change over time. Keep profiles updated when:
- A child outgrows an allergy (confirm with doctor)
- Someone starts a new diet
- Preferences change
Best Practices
Be Specific
Instead of "nuts," specify which nuts. Almonds and peanuts have different allergy profiles.
Note Severity
Distinguish between "will get sick" and "prefers not to eat."
Update Regularly
Review dietary info periodically, especially for children.
Communicate with Family
Make sure everyone knows about serious allergies, especially when others are cooking.
Cross-Contamination Notes
For severe allergies, you can add notes about:
- Cross-contamination concerns
- Safe brands
- Preparation instructions
Add these in the Notes field of dietary restrictions.