AI-Powered Meal Plan Generator: Automated Form Submission to PDF Delivery

Step 1: Monitor for New Client Requests

Node: Google Sheets Trigger

Settings:

• Document From List: Select your meal plan intake spreadsheet
• Sheet: Choose the sheet containing client requests (usually Sheet1)
• Trigger On: Row Added

What This Does: Automatically detects when a new client submits their meal plan request through your intake form and starts the AI generation process.

Success Looks Like: The trigger activates immediately when a new row is added, capturing all client information for processing.

Step 2: Generate AI Meal Plan

Node: OpenAI → Message a Model

Settings:

• Model: GPT-4.1-MINI (or available)
• Message: (Sample)

You are a professional nutritionist creating personalized meal plans. Based on the client information provided, generate a complete 7-day meal plan with grocery list.

CLIENT INFORMATION:
- Name: {{ $json['Client Name'] }}
- Goal: {{ $json.Goal }}
- Dietary Preferences: {{ $json['Dietary Preference'] }}
- Activity Level: {{ $json['Activity Level'] }}
- Allergies/Restrictions: {{ $json['Allergies / Restrictions'] }}

IMPORTANT: You must respond with ONLY valid JSON in this exact structure. Do not include any other text, explanations, or markdown formatting.

{
  "client_name": "Client's full name",
  "client_goal": "Their fitness/nutrition goal", 
  "dietary_preferences": "Their dietary restrictions/preferences",
  "creation_date": "Current date in format: Month DD, YYYY",
  "meals": {
    "monday": {
      "breakfast": "<strong>Meal Name</strong><br>Detailed ingredients and instructions<br><em>Calories: XXX | Protein: XXg</em>",
      "lunch": "<strong>Meal Name</strong><br>Detailed ingredients and instructions<br><em>Calories: XXX | Protein: XXg</em>",
      "dinner": "<strong>Meal Name</strong><br>Detailed ingredients and instructions<br><em>Calories: XXX | Protein: XXg</em>"
    },
    // ... continue for all 7 days
  },
  "grocery_list": {
    "proteins": ["Specific protein items with quantities"],
    "vegetables": ["Specific vegetable items with quantities"],
    "grains": ["Specific grain/carb items with quantities"],
    "pantry": ["Pantry items, oils, condiments, etc."]
  }
}

REQUIREMENTS:
- Each meal must include HTML formatting exactly as shown
- Include realistic calorie and protein counts for each meal
- Ensure all meals align with the client's dietary preferences and goals
- Provide variety across the week - no repeated meals
- Generate a complete grocery list based on ALL meals in the plan
- Include specific quantities in grocery list
- Organize grocery items into the 4 categories: proteins, vegetables, grains, pantry
- Respond with ONLY the JSON - no additional text or explanations

What This Does: Uses advanced AI to create a personalized 7-day meal plan based on the client's specific goals, dietary preferences, activity level, and restrictions.

Success Looks Like: AI returns structured JSON containing complete meal plans with detailed recipes, nutritional information, and organized grocery lists.

Step 3: Generate PDF from Template

Node: PDF.co API → URL/HTML to PDF

Settings:

• Convert Type: HTML Template to PDF
• Template ID: 1 (your custom HTML template)
• Template Data: {{ $json.message.content }}
• Advanced Options → File Name: {{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json['Client Name'] }}

What This Does: Converts the AI-generated meal plan data into a professional PDF using your custom HTML template with proper formatting, styling, and branding.

Success Looks Like: PDF.co returns a download URL for the completed meal plan PDF with all client information and meal details properly formatted.

Step 4: Download PDF File

Node: HTTP Request

Settings:

• Method: GET
• URL: {{ $json.url }} (from the PDF.co step)

What This Does: Downloads the generated PDF file from PDF.co's servers so it can be stored to Google Drive for backup.

Success Looks Like: The meal plan PDF is downloaded and ready for storage.

Step 5: Store PDF in Google Drive

Node: Google Drive → Upload File

Settings:

• Input Data Field Name: data
• Parent Drive From List: My Drive
• Parent Folder From List: Select your designated meal plans output folder

What This Does: Saves a backup copy of each generated meal plan PDF to your Google Drive for record-keeping and client support.

Success Looks Like: PDF is successfully uploaded to Google Drive with the client's name as the filename.

Step 6: Email PDF to Client

Node: HTTP Request → PDF.co Send Email

Settings:

• Method: POST
• URL: https://api.pdf.co/v1/email/send
• Headers:
  • Content-Type: application/json
  • x-api-key: [Your PDF.co API Key]
• JSON Body:

{
  "url": "{{ $('PDFco Api').item.json.url }}",
  "from": "Your Business <your@email.com>",
  "to": "{{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json['Client Name'] }} <{{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json['Email Address'] }}>",
  "subject": "Your Custom 7-Day Meal Plan is Ready!",
  "bodytext": "Hi {{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json['Client Name'] }}, your personalized meal plan is attached. Enjoy your healthy eating journey!",
  "bodyHtml": "<p>Hi {{ $('Google Sheets Trigger').item.json['Client Name'] }},</p><p>Your personalized meal plan is attached. Enjoy your healthy eating journey!</p>",
  "smtpserver": "smtp.gmail.com",
  "smtpport": "587",
  "smtpusername": "your@gmail.com",
  "smtppassword": "[Your Gmail App Password]"
}

What This Does: Automatically sends the personalized meal plan PDF directly to the client's email address with a professional message.

Success Looks Like: Client receives an email with their custom meal plan PDF attachment within seconds of submitting their request.