Researchers in Mexico created a new online tool called Nutriecology® that helps people understand what they eat, how healthy their diet is, and how much water their food uses. The tool asks people about their meals and automatically calculates diet quality and environmental impact. Scientists tested it with over 250 Mexican adults and found it works reliably. This is the first tool of its kind designed specifically for Mexico, making it easier for people to make food choices that are better for both their health and the environment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can a new online tool accurately measure what people eat, rate how healthy their diet is, and calculate how much water their food requires?
  • Who participated: Two groups of Mexican adults: 174 people aged 18-74 years in the first test, and 87 young adults aged 18-35 years in the second test to check if results stayed consistent over 6 months.
  • Key finding: The tool accurately measured food intake and water usage with strong agreement between different measurement methods. Energy and nutrient measurements correlated between 0.64-0.80, and water footprint measurements correlated between 0.53-0.60, all statistically significant (P<0.0001).
  • What it means for you: If you live in Mexico or use Mexican food databases, this tool can give you reliable information about your diet’s health value and environmental impact. However, this is a new tool that needs more real-world testing before widespread recommendations.

The Research Details

Researchers created Nutriecology® using a step-by-step development process called the waterfall methodology. The tool includes three main components: a 24-hour recall (where people describe everything they ate in one day), a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) adapted for Mexico (asking how often people eat certain foods), and an automatic water footprint calculator. They also included a diet quality scoring system called the Alternate Mexican Diet Quality Index (IACDMx) that measures both nutrition and sustainability.

To test if the tool worked correctly, they ran two validation studies. The first study compared the FFQ and 24-hour recall methods in 174 adults to see if they gave similar results. The second study repeated the measurements in 87 young adults over 6 months to check if the tool gave consistent results over time. They used statistical methods called Spearman correlations and Bland-Altman analyses to compare how closely the different measurement methods agreed.

Having a validated tool specifically designed for Mexico is important because food databases and nutritional recommendations vary by country. Mexican diets have unique foods, preparation methods, and cultural eating patterns that aren’t captured by tools designed for other countries. This tool accounts for Mexican-specific factors like cooking water and food-washing water, which affect the total environmental impact of eating.

The study shows good validity through strong statistical correlations and agreement between measurement methods. The sample size of 261 participants is reasonable for validation studies. The inclusion of two separate validation studies strengthens confidence in the results. However, the study was conducted only in Mexico, so results may not apply to other countries. The tool is newly developed and would benefit from additional testing in real-world settings beyond research studies.

What the Results Show

The tool showed strong accuracy for measuring energy (calories) and macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates), with correlation values ranging from 0.64 to 0.80. This means the tool’s measurements were very similar to traditional dietary assessment methods. For micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), correlations were lower, ranging from 0.22 to 0.57, which is still statistically significant but suggests slightly less precision for these nutrients.

The water footprint calculations—measuring how much water is needed to produce food—showed correlations between 0.53 and 0.60 across the three components measured (direct water use, cooking water, and food-washing water). These correlations indicate the tool reliably estimates environmental impact. Bland-Altman plots, which visually compare agreement between methods, showed high agreement overall, confirming the tool’s validity.

In the second study testing consistency over 6 months, the tool showed high reproducibility (rho ≥0.5; P<0.001). This means when people used the tool at different times, they got similar results, suggesting the tool is stable and reliable for tracking changes over time.

The tool successfully integrated nutritional assessment with environmental impact evaluation, which is novel. It can track food group and sub-group intake separately, allowing users to see patterns in their eating habits. The diet quality scores using the IACDMx index showed good reproducibility, meaning the tool consistently rated diet quality the same way across different uses. The tool’s ability to account for cooking and food-washing water represents an advancement over simpler water footprint calculations.

This is the first validated tool of its kind designed specifically for the Mexican population. Previous diet assessment tools exist globally, but they weren’t adapted for Mexican foods, recipes, and eating patterns. The inclusion of environmental impact (water footprint) alongside nutritional assessment is relatively innovative, as most traditional diet tools focus only on nutrition. This tool bridges nutrition and sustainability, which aligns with growing interest in sustainable diets.

The study only included Mexican participants, so results may not apply to other populations. Micronutrient measurements showed lower accuracy than macronutrient measurements, which is a common limitation in dietary assessment tools. The second validation study included only young adults (18-35 years), so consistency over time may differ in older populations. The tool is online-based, which requires internet access and may not reach populations without reliable connectivity. The study was conducted in a research setting; real-world usability and adoption rates haven’t been fully tested.

The Bottom Line

If you live in Mexico and want to understand your diet’s health value and environmental impact, Nutriecology® appears to be a reliable option (moderate to high confidence). The tool is most accurate for measuring overall calorie and macronutrient intake. For detailed micronutrient analysis, consider supplementing with professional nutritionist guidance (moderate confidence). The water footprint feature can help you understand your diet’s environmental impact, though this is a newer application area (moderate confidence).

This tool is most relevant for: Mexican adults interested in sustainable eating, nutrition researchers studying Mexican populations, healthcare providers in Mexico, and people wanting to reduce their environmental footprint through food choices. It’s less relevant for people outside Mexico (where other validated tools may be more appropriate) or those without internet access. People with specific medical conditions should still consult healthcare providers rather than relying solely on this tool.

You should expect to see meaningful dietary insights within 1-2 weeks of regular use as you identify eating patterns. Environmental impact awareness may develop within the same timeframe. Changes in actual diet quality and reduced water footprint would typically take 4-12 weeks to become noticeable, depending on how much you change your eating habits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log your 24-hour food intake twice weekly using the tool’s recall feature and track your weekly average water footprint score. Record the number in a simple spreadsheet or app note to see trends over 4-week periods.
  • Use the tool’s water footprint data to identify your highest-impact foods, then set a goal to replace one high-water-use food with a lower-impact alternative each week. For example, if beef shows high water usage, try substituting it with chicken or beans in one meal per week.
  • Complete a full dietary assessment monthly using the FFQ to get a comprehensive picture of your eating patterns and diet quality score. Use the 24-hour recall feature weekly for quick check-ins. Compare your monthly water footprint scores to identify seasonal patterns and track progress toward sustainability goals.

Nutriecology® is a research tool that has been validated in Mexican populations but is still relatively new. While it shows good reliability for measuring diet and environmental impact, it should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. If you have specific health conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes based on this tool’s recommendations. The tool’s accuracy for micronutrients is lower than for macronutrients, so don’t rely on it as your sole source for detailed micronutrient analysis. Results may vary based on individual factors not captured by the tool.