System for controlled nutrition consumption

Abstract

The current invention is directed towards a system for and a method of modifying eating habits of a user. The system and method utilize a set of fixed volume containers that are graduated to provide a user means to control the volume of food consumed over time. In accordance with the instant invention, the contents of the containers are consumed over time according to a schedule which identifies the appropriate containers and the frequency of the meals to be consumed each day. Preferably, the method of the instant invention is utilized for weight reduction, wherein the volume of food consumed per meal is reduced over time while frequency of meals consumed over time is simultaneously increased over time in order to balance the nutritional intake of the user. The fixed volume containers can be pre-filled or provide the user with a measuring means to portion his/her own food. The system and method can be customized to suit the dietary goals of an individual and can be used along with a printed and/or electronic schedule and/or a workbook to further motivate the user to modify his/her eating habits to achieve a set of user goals.

1 . A system comprising: 
 a. a set of containers with graduated volumes for holding predetermined quantities of food; and    b. a schedule, whereby a user migrates from using containers from the set of containers with greater fixed volume to containers of the set of containers with a smaller fixed volume in accordance with the schedule.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein containers within the set of containers are sectionalized and are capable of holding foods from different food groups.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein containers within the set of containers comprise identification means for identifying which containers within the set of containers are scheduled for use.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the containers further comprises identification means for identifying types of food that are recommended for each container within the set of containers.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a workbook for displaying the schedule.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the workbook provides entries for the user to document their progress.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of containers further comprise a lid.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lid includes a menu with suggested foods to be placed within each container.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lid includes a schedule to be referred to by the user in determining which container to utilize.  
   
   
       10 . The system of claims  7 , wherein the lid comprises identification means for identifying the lid with a compatible container.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lid comprises an envelope feature for holding the menu.  
   
   
       12 . A dietary system comprising: 
 a. a set of containers with a range of fixed volumes for holding food; and    b. means for identifying which container within the set of containers is to be consumed by a consumer in accordance with a dietary schedule.    
   
   
       13 . The dietary system of  claim 12 , wherein the set of containers comprises a smaller number of containers with larger fixed volumes and a larger number of containers with smaller fixed volumes.  
   
   
       14 . The dietary system of  claim 12 , wherein the means for identify which container within the set of containers is to be consumed by a consumer in accordance with a dietary schedule comprises color coding on each of the containers.  
   
   
       15 . The dietary system of  claim 12 , wherein the containers are subdivide into a plurality of compartments for holding foods from different dietary food groups.  
   
   
       16 . The dietary system of  claim 12 , wherein the means for identify which container within the set of containers is to be consumed by a consumer in accordance with a dietary schedule comprises a computer.  
   
   
       17 . The dietary system of  claim 12 , wherein the means for identify which container within the set of containers is to be consumed by a consumer in accordance with a dietary schedule comprises a workbook containing the schedule.  
   
   
       18 . The dietary system of  claim 12 , further comprising a menu.  
   
   
       19 . The dietary system of  claim 12 , wherein the containers are each pre-filled food.  
   
   
       20 . A method of controlling nutritional intake of a person comprising: 
 a. regulating the frequency of the meals; and    b. volumetrically controlling the meals, whereby the volume of the meals is systematically decreased over time.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein volumetrically controlling the meals comprises placing food in containers having predetermined fixed volumes.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising controlling the nutritional value of the meals.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein controlling the nutritional value of the meals comprising selecting foods from a menu for determining which foods to place into a container having predetermined fixed volumes.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the frequency of the meals is increased over time.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein regulating the frequency of the meals comprises providing a schedule for the user to identify which of the containers contains food to be consumed within a predetermined time interval.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising generating a set of user goals.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the schedule is customized for the user based on a set of user goals.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the set of user goals includes a change in weight from an initial weight.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the schedule is contained in a workbook, the method further comprising providing entries into the workbook for documenting user progress towards the set of user goals.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the workbook is electronic.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the frequency of the meals is increased over time such that the nutritional intake is substantially constant over time.