Food Program Goal
Minimize fast-digesting carbs and maximize nutrient-dense foods that include protein, fiber, and healthy fats—without restricting or counting calories.
Here's Why
Diets don’t work. Science tells us that it’s not just about how much (or how little) you eat, it’s about what you eat and how that affects your hormones, metabolism, and hunger.
While carbohydrates themselves aren’t bad, the fast-digesting kind hit your bloodstream so quickly that they prompt your body to store energy as fat. Protein, fiber, and healthy fats do the opposite. They slow digestion down, keep you feeling full, and give your body the building blocks it needs for metabolic health.
The Calibrate Food Triangle is the cornerstone of our food philosophy, and it’s based on the latest and best nutrition research. It employs a range of colors—from green (whole foods) to red (fast-digesting carbs)—to show how different foods affect your metabolic health.
You’ll learn about all the colors as you move through the program, but a good starting point (and baseline) is to simply focus on “red versus the rest”—minimizing fast-digesting carbs, without stressing yet about the other colors yet.
Keep in mind that no matter where you are in the program, it’s okay to not always know the exact color or serving size of every single food. These are all just guidelines to gradually nudge you toward food choices that are better matched to how your body was built to eat.
Food Triangle Phases
During your Metabolic Reset, you’ll move through four simple phases of the Calibrate Food Triangle. Keep in mind that it’s okay to not always know the exact color or serving size of every single food. These are all just guidelines to gradually nudge you toward choices that are better matched to how your body was built to eat.
When To Use It
The ratio works with any food that’s made from 2+ ingredients, like a slice of bread or a granola bar. (A 1-ingredient food is a whole food, like an apple or a chicken breast. These tend to have health benefits beyond what you see on the ratio, so the Calibrate Food Triangle is a better guide.)
Learn More Here
What To Do
Divide a food’s total carbs by its total dietary fiber (you'll find these printed on the nutritional label). If the number you get is equal to or less than 10, go for it. If it’s greater than 10, reach for something else. Studies show that foods with a carb:fiber ratio of 10:1 or below help keep your blood sugar in check, leading to better overall metabolic health.
Why It Works
Unlike carbs, fiber actually slows down digestion. So, the more fiber a food has relative to its carbohydrate content, the more gradually energy hits your bloodstream and the less likely your body will store it as fat. Because sugar is a type of carbohydrate, this shortcut also helps you weed out anything that has too much sugar, too.
A Real-Life Example
Your average box of store-bought dried pasta has 40 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of fiber. 40 divided by 2 is 20, which is way more than 10, so back on the shelf it goes.
Ongoing
Track red foods (fast-digesting carbs) in the app
Level 1
Start the food program, and complete a two-week Metabolic Jumpstart
Level 2
Bring awareness to your protein intake to ensure it’s at a level that is satisfying and sustainable, and work toward a suggested daily protein range—aiming for progress, not perfection
Level 3
Cut back on daily grazing habits and work toward a 12-hour window between the last thing you eat at night and the first thing you eat in the morning
Level 4+
Keep your Food Program Goal up by identifying and practicing what supports you the most
Food Office Hours
Twice a month, drop in on our food team to talk about all things Food Pillar. The first 30 minutes cover general information, and the second 30 focus on Metabolic Jumpstart strategies. These are informal and interactive sessions for all members, and you can always ask questions in the chat.
RSVP Here
Cooking with Calibrate
Every other month, join us live in the kitchen to learn how to turn the Calibrate Food Triangle and the carb:fiber ratio into easy and satisfying meals and snacks. We provide the recipes, shopping list, and equipment list ahead of time so all you have to do is cook along and eat.
RSVP Here
Cook With Us
Catch up on our past cooking classes here. Each one includes a Calibrate-friendly menu that you can cook along to, or bookmark for another day.
Food Guides
From that perfect chicken dinner to portion control and dining out tips, we’ve got you covered on every front with these guides.
Books
Food delivery services
Grocery items
Water bottles
Learn More
Pillar Pages are your roadmaps for the Calibrate program. Explore them all: Food Pillar (+ Metabolic Jumpstart Page), Sleep Pillar, Exercise Pillar, and Emotional Health Pillar.