What if I have dietary restrictions?Updated 2 months ago
Quick Answer
CENTR meal plans can be customized to accommodate various dietary restrictions and preferences. During profile setup, you can specify your dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and food allergies. Meal plan recommendations will be filtered to match your requirements.
Supported Dietary Preferences
CENTR accommodates a wide range of dietary needs:
Diet Types
- Vegetarian: No meat, poultry, or fish
- Vegan: No animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, honey)
- Pescatarian: No meat or poultry, but includes fish and seafood
- No restrictions: Includes all food types
Ingredient Restrictions
- Gluten-free: No wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing grains
- Dairy-free: No milk, cheese, yogurt, or dairy products
- Food allergies: Specify allergies to nuts, shellfish, soy, etc.
- Food intolerances: Avoid foods that cause digestive issues
Setting Up Dietary Preferences
During Initial Setup
When you take the FitQuiz:
- Answer questions about your fitness goals
- Select your dietary preferences when prompted
- Specify any food allergies or restrictions
- Note any additional dietary requirements
CENTR will then recommend meal plans that match your dietary needs.
Updating Preferences Later
To change your dietary settings:
- Open the CENTR app or go to centr.com
- Navigate to your Profile or Settings
- Find dietary preferences or nutrition settings
- Update your dietary restrictions
- Save your changes
Meal plan recommendations will update automatically to reflect your new preferences.
How Dietary Filters Work
Once you set your preferences:
- Automatic filtering: Meal plans and recipes are filtered to match your requirements
- Excluded ingredients: Recipes containing restricted ingredients won't appear
- Substitution suggestions: Some recipes may offer ingredient swaps
- Clear labeling: Recipes show dietary tags (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)
Meal Plans by Dietary Type
Vegetarian Meal Plans
- Plant-based protein sources (beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh)
- Eggs and dairy included
- Complete nutrition for all fitness goals
- Variety of cuisines and flavors
Vegan Meal Plans
- 100% plant-based recipes
- No animal products whatsoever
- Adequate protein from plant sources
- Nutrient-complete for fitness goals
Pescatarian Meal Plans
- Fish and seafood as primary proteins
- Plant-based proteins included
- No meat or poultry
- Omega-3 rich options
Gluten-Free Options
- No wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing grains
- Alternative grains (rice, quinoa, oats if tolerated)
- Gluten-free alternatives for bread, pasta, etc.
- Clearly marked recipes
Dairy-Free Options
- No milk, cheese, yogurt, or dairy products
- Plant-based milk alternatives
- Dairy-free protein sources
- Calcium from non-dairy sources
Nutrition and Fitness Goals
Dietary restrictions work with all fitness goals:
Lose Fat Goal
- Reduced refined carbs, increased protein and healthy fats
- Available for all dietary types
- Plant-based or animal protein options
Build Strength / Gain Muscle Goals
- Higher calorie and protein intake
- Protein from plant or animal sources based on your preference
- Adequate nutrition for muscle growth regardless of dietary type
Other Goals
- All goals have meal plans for various dietary restrictions
- Nutrition targets adjusted for your specific needs
- Complete meals regardless of dietary preferences
Recipe Flexibility
CENTR recipes offer flexibility:
- Ingredient swaps: Some recipes suggest alternatives
- Modifications noted: How to make recipes fit your needs
- Scaling portions: Adjust servings to match your calorie needs
- Mix and match: Combine recipes from different meal plans
What If Your Restriction Isn't Listed?
If you have specific dietary needs not covered by standard options:
- Use general filters: Start with the closest dietary preference
- Review recipes individually: Check ingredients for compliance
- Adapt recipes: Modify recipes to fit your specific needs
- Create your own plan: Mix and match recipes that work for you
- Contact support: Email [email protected] to discuss your specific dietary requirements
Multiple Restrictions
If you have multiple dietary restrictions:
- Select all applicable preferences in your profile
- Recipes will be filtered to meet all requirements
- Example: Vegan + gluten-free shows only recipes that are both
- May reduce available recipe options but ensures compliance
Nutrition Guidance
CENTR meal plans are designed by professional dietitians and chefs:
- Nutritionally complete for various dietary types
- Adequate protein for fitness goals
- Balanced macronutrients (carbs, protein, fats)
- Micronutrients from diverse food sources
However, for specific medical dietary needs, consult with your doctor or registered dietitian.
Using Meal Plans with Restrictions
Getting Started
- Set your dietary preferences in your profile
- Browse meal plans for your fitness goal
- Review the weekly meal plan and recipes
- Generate or view the shopping list
- Prepare meals according to recipes
Meal Plan Flexibility
- You don't have to follow meal plans exactly
- Use them for inspiration and ideas
- Adapt to your taste and dietary needs
- Skip recipes that don't work for you
Beyond CENTR Meal Plans
If CENTR meal plans don't fully meet your needs:
- Use CENTR recipes as a foundation and adapt them
- Combine CENTR workouts with your own nutrition plan
- Work with a registered dietitian for personalized meal planning
- Focus on CENTR's workout content while managing nutrition independently
Common Dietary Restriction Questions
Can I get enough protein on a vegan diet?
Yes. CENTR vegan meal plans are designed to provide adequate protein from plant sources (beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, plant-based protein powders).
Are gluten-free options as nutritious?
Yes. Gluten-free meal plans use alternative grains and ensure complete nutrition for your fitness goals.
Can I build muscle on a vegetarian diet?
Absolutely. Vegetarian meal plans provide sufficient protein and calories for muscle growth through eggs, dairy, and plant-based proteins.
What if I have celiac disease or serious allergies?
While CENTR offers filtered recipes, always verify ingredients yourself if you have serious medical dietary restrictions. Consult your doctor or dietitian for medical dietary needs.
Meal Prep Tips for Restrictions
- Always read ingredient labels when shopping
- Prep ingredients in advance to stay consistent
- Batch cook compliant recipes for the week
- Keep go-to meals on hand for busy days
- Join community groups for recipe swaps and ideas
Need Help with Dietary Settings?
If you're having trouble setting up dietary preferences or finding suitable recipes, contact support at [email protected]. The team can guide you through dietary filter setup and help you find meal plan options that work for your needs.