Features & Core Innovation
Grist is more than a calorie counter. It is a localized, budget-aware diet planner that understands Sri Lankan food culture and practical constraints.
Core Innovation
The system generates affordable diet plans based on locally available and cost-effective ingredients, using the user’s current pantry and budget as key inputs.
- Uses user-inputted ingredient inventory
- Considers weekly or monthly budget
- Adapts to Sri Lankan food patterns
AI Integration (Conceptual)
While the website here is static, the conceptual design for the full app includes AI-driven features:
- Predictive shopping lists
- Real-time ingredient substitution
- Health-constraint filtering (e.g. diabetes-friendly plans)
Feature Comparison
The following table summarizes key differences between existing competitors and the proposed Grist platform.
| Feature / Platform | HealthifyMe | MyFitnessPal | Noom | Grist (Proposed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calorie Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Diet Plan Customization | Moderate | Moderate | High | Advanced & localized |
| Ingredient Availability Awareness | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | High (local focus) |
| Cost Optimization | Absent | Absent | Absent | Core feature |
| Localized Ingredient Swapping | Absent | Absent | Absent | Core feature |
| AI-Based Nutrient Matching | Basic | Basic | Moderate | Advanced (planned) |
| Community Recipe Sharing | Moderate | Yes | Moderate | High |
| Gamification / Local Marketplace | Minimal | Minimal | Moderate | Advanced (micro-entrepreneurship) |
Hybrid Model
AI drafts a meal plan first, and then dietitians can review and refine it, giving users both automation and expert guidance.
Local Kitchen Community
Users share recipes based on local ingredients, rate each other’s ideas, and discover affordable, realistic meals.
Startup Marketplace
Local cooks can offer meal prep services based on app-generated plans, enabling micro-entrepreneurship.