How we research, test, and verify every word on foodtrackergirl.com.
Welcome. Our mission is simple: to be the sane, data-driven voice in a noisy wellness world. We know that navigating health information can be overwhelming. That’s why we don’t just “write blog posts”; we construct well-researched resources rooted in real-life tracking and established science.
1. The “Patient-Researcher” Approach (E-E-A-T)
We operate under a clear transparency model known as “Lived Experience.” Our founder, Ailene Huett, is not a physician. She is an Independent Wellness Researcher.
- Experience (The “Real Life” Test): Content is born from Ailene’s journey of managing high cholesterol and blood pressure. We know what it feels like to fail a diet, and we know the struggle of feeding picky kids.
- Expertise (The Research Rigor): While we don’t hold medical degrees, we hold ourselves to a high standard of investigative research. We bridge the gap between complex medical journals and your dinner plate.
2. Our Hierarchy of Evidence
Not all “science” is created equal. When we discuss health benefits (e.g., “Oats lower cholesterol”), we prioritize sources in this order:
- Tier 1 (The Gold Standard): Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines from major health organizations (AHA, ADA, Mayo Clinic).
- Tier 2 (Primary Studies): Peer-reviewed studies involving human participants published in reputable medical journals.
- Tier 3 (Expert Consensus): Direct quotes or books from board-certified medical professionals (MDs, RDs).
Note: We generally avoid citing animal studies as conclusive proof for human health unless clearly stated as preliminary research.
3. The “Kitchen Lab” Testing Standard
A recipe isn’t helpful if it fails in a real kitchen. To ensure our “Expertise” translates to your home, every recipe undergoes the following:
- The “Replicability” Test: Recipes are tested multiple times to ensure measurements are accurate.
- The “Real Life” Factor: We minimize obscure ingredients. If you can’t find it at a standard grocery store, we likely won’t use it (or we’ll provide a substitute).
- The “Kid & Spouse” Vote: Flavor is non-negotiable. Healthy food shouldn’t taste like punishment.
4. Human-First Content & AI Policy
In an age of automated content, we value the human touch.
Our Pledge: Every article and recipe on this site is written, reviewed, and edited by humans. We may use AI tools for brainstorming topics or structuring ideas (like a digital assistant), but we never publish AI-generated health advice without human verification. Your health is too important for algorithms.
5. Clinical Boundaries
We stay in our lane. We provide lifestyle and nutritional information, not medical advice.
Safety First: If a topic requires medical nuance (e.g., medication interactions with grapefruit), we will explicitly tell you to “Consult your Doctor.” We do not offer cures or diagnosis.
6. Corrections & Community Safety
We Stand Corrected: Science evolves. If we get something wrong, or if guidelines update (e.g., new sodium recommendations), we commit to updating our content transparency. You will see a “Last Updated” date on our posts.
Community Guidelines: We welcome comments, but we moderate them. To keep our community safe, we reserve the right to remove comments that promote dangerous health fads, unsubstantiated medical claims, or respectful conduct violations.
Have a question about a source we used?
We’d love to explain our research.
Last Updated: November 5, 2025
