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Can AI really help you meet wellness goals?

Feb. 5, 2026—More people are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for answers to common questions—even planning workouts and diet plans. AI can help you branch out and avoid boring food and exercise routines. But there are a few important cautions to keep in mind.

AI and your meal planning

Many people are turning to AI tools to help them plan their weekly meals and generate grocery lists. It can also be a handy tool when you want ideas about what to cook based on your ingredients on hand. The key is to be specific—and use common sense as you judge the result.

The American Heart Association points out that "I want a meal plan" will deliver different results from "I want you to act as an expert dietitian who specializes in cardiac care." If you want a diabetes-friendly meal plan or a certain amount of protein per day, spell it out. Tell it what foods you like and what you're trying to avoid. The more detail you provide, the better results you'll get.

While AI can help with suggestions, it's important to reality-check the results before you get cooking (or shopping). The programs can make mistakes, including:

Providing inaccurate quantities or calorie counts.
Suggesting meal plans that aren't safe for your dietary needs.
Confusing units of measurement.
Listing options that are outside of your budget plan.

AI and your workout

AI tools are an increasingly popular option for people who want to begin a new exercise program, revamp their routines or get out of a rut. For many people, AI can be a helpful way to get started. It can even work with data from your smartwatch or fitness tracker.

Keep in mind that while AI can be a valuable tool for people who don't have access to a personal trainer, it has some limitations. AI can't monitor your form or make changes on the fly.

Talk to your care team before starting any fitness program. And keep in mind that AI isn't an appropriate source for workout guidance for people with certain medical conditions, including heart conditions.

Know how to make the most of AI

Do not turn to AI for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Instead, consider it a resource that needs detailed guidance—and don't assume its answers are accurate.
Keep trying. The first draft you get from AI will often need to be refined. Go back and forth to get results that meet your needs.
Remember that AI has limitations. It's common for AI to produce incorrect or biased information. That's why it's a good idea to use it only on topics you already know enough about to spot a red flag. For example: If you have cooking experience, you'll know AI is hallucinating if it says a recipe calls for 5 cups of salt.
Check sources. Ask AI where it got its info and make sure it interpreted the data correctly. And turn to trusted experts for insight.

Keep it real

Not so sure about AI input? Your doctor or physical therapist can give you expert advice that's tailored to your needs. And you can check reliable online sources for info about kicking off a fitness routine—like our Fitness and Exercise health topic center.

Sources

American College of Sports Medicine. "Personalized Fitness Plans via Mobile Health Technology." https://acsm.org/personalized-fitness-mobile-technology/.
American Council on Exercise. "Say Hello to Your New Personal Assistant: How AI Can Save You Time and Help Build Your Business." https://www.acefitness.org/continuing-education/certified/june-2023/8345/say-hello-to-your-new-personal-assistant-how-ai-can-save-you-time-and-help-build-your-business/.
American Heart Association. "AI Can Serve Up Ideas for Healthy Meals in a Snap – But They All Come With a Side of Caution." https://www.heart.org/en/news/2025/03/27/ai-can-serve-up-ideas-for-healthy-meals-in-a-snap.
American Heart Association. "What's the Best Way to Use AI in Your Workout?" https://www.heart.org/en/news/2026/01/05/whats-the-best-way-to-use-ai-in-your-workout.