Derived Metrics

Fuel score

• Scale: 0 to 5.
• Purpose: context-specific fueling suitability, not generic meal quality.
• Use only when meal role is explicit enough to support a context-based judgment.

Role-specific anchors

• pre_session: carbohydrate amount, rapid digestibility, low excess fat or fiber, timing suitability.
• during_session: rapid carbohydrate availability, portability, GI tolerance, sodium support when relevant.
• post_session: carbohydrate adequacy, protein adequacy, digestibility, and fluid or sodium support when relevant.
• general_meal or snack: balanced support relative to day type and likely demand, not race-fuel logic.

Score meaning

• 0, incompatible with the identified role.
• 1, poor fit.
• 2, limited fit.
• 3, acceptable fit.
• 4, strong fit.
• 5, excellent fit.

Nutrition density score

• Scale: 0 to 5.
• Use for general meals and snacks only.
• Do not use it to penalize purpose-built training fuel where low fiber and low micronutrient density may be appropriate.

Score meaning

• 0, minimal nutritional contribution beyond energy.
• 1, low density.
• 2, modest density.
• 3, acceptable density.
• 4, strong density.
• 5, exceptional density for the meal type.

Undercount risk

• low: label-backed or athlete-text-backed portions with limited hidden ingredients.
• moderate: one or two meaningful unknowns remain, such as oils, sauces, or variable spreads.
• high: major hidden ingredients or portion uncertainty likely make totals materially incomplete.

Common undercount triggers

• hidden oil, butter, or dressing
• restaurant mixed dishes without recipe detail
• nut butter, sauce, or granola amounts not clearly visible
• fried foods or glazed foods without label or athlete clarification
• soups, curries, or bowls where energy-dense components may be submerged or obscured