diff --git a/.github/workflows/nomad-deploy-dev.yml b/.github/workflows/nomad-deploy-dev.yml
index 2e1b848..54f0d4b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/nomad-deploy-dev.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/nomad-deploy-dev.yml
@@ -51,6 +51,6 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           echo "Deploying container version: ${{ steps.container_version.outputs.sha }}"
           nomad status
-          nomad job run 
-            -var="container_version=${{ steps.container_version.outputs.sha }}" 
+          nomad job run \
+            -var="container_version=${{ steps.container_version.outputs.sha }}" \
             foodplanner-dev.nomad
diff --git a/alembic/versions/7fdcc454e056_add_name_to_tracked_meal.py b/alembic/versions/7fdcc454e056_add_name_to_tracked_meal.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e37f253
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic/versions/7fdcc454e056_add_name_to_tracked_meal.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+"""add_name_to_tracked_meal
+
+Revision ID: 7fdcc454e056
+Revises: e1c2d8d5c1a8
+Create Date: 2026-02-24 06:29:46.441129
+
+"""
+from typing import Sequence, Union
+
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision: str = '7fdcc454e056'
+down_revision: Union[str, None] = 'e1c2d8d5c1a8'
+branch_labels: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = None
+depends_on: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column('tracked_meals', sa.Column('name', sa.String(), nullable=True))
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    with op.batch_alter_table('tracked_meals') as batch_op:
+        batch_op.drop_column('name')
diff --git a/app/api/routes/meals.py b/app/api/routes/meals.py
index 18320c2..467d9cb 100644
--- a/app/api/routes/meals.py
+++ b/app/api/routes/meals.py
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ router = APIRouter()
 @router.get("/meals", response_class=HTMLResponse)
 async def meals_page(request: Request, db: Session = Depends(get_db)):
     from sqlalchemy.orm import joinedload
-    meals = db.query(Meal).options(joinedload(Meal.meal_foods).joinedload(MealFood.food)).all()
+    # Filter out single food entries and snapshots
+    meals = db.query(Meal).filter(
+        Meal.meal_type.notin_(["single_food", "tracked_snapshot"])
+    ).options(joinedload(Meal.meal_foods).joinedload(MealFood.food)).all()
     foods = db.query(Food).all()
     return templates.TemplateResponse("meals.html",
                                     {"request": request, "meals": meals, "foods": foods})
diff --git a/app/api/routes/tracker.py b/app/api/routes/tracker.py
index 7dbba84..f444ada 100644
--- a/app/api/routes/tracker.py
+++ b/app/api/routes/tracker.py
@@ -746,23 +746,25 @@ async def tracker_add_food(data: dict = Body(...), db: Session = Depends(get_db)
         # Store grams directly
         quantity = grams
 
-        # Create a new Meal for this single food entry
-        # This allows it to be treated like any other meal in the tracker view
-        new_meal = Meal(name=food_item.name, meal_type="single_food", meal_time=meal_time)
-        db.add(new_meal)
-        db.flush() # Flush to get the new meal ID
-
-        # Link the food to the new meal
-        meal_food = MealFood(meal_id=new_meal.id, food_id=food_id, quantity=grams)
-        db.add(meal_food)
-        
-        # Create tracked meal entry
+        # Create tracked meal entry without a parent Meal template
         tracked_meal = TrackedMeal(
             tracked_day_id=tracked_day.id,
-            meal_id=new_meal.id,
-            meal_time=meal_time
+            meal_id=None,
+            meal_time=meal_time,
+            name=food_item.name
         )
         db.add(tracked_meal)
+        db.flush() # Flush to get the tracked_meal ID
+        
+        # Link the food directly to the tracked meal via TrackedMealFood
+        new_entry = TrackedMealFood(
+            tracked_meal_id=tracked_meal.id,
+            food_id=food_id,
+            quantity=grams,
+            is_override=False,
+            is_deleted=False
+        )
+        db.add(new_entry)
         
         # Mark day as modified
         tracked_day.is_modified = True
diff --git a/app/database.py b/app/database.py
index 8aa270a..dcb4291 100644
--- a/app/database.py
+++ b/app/database.py
@@ -148,8 +148,9 @@ class TrackedMeal(Base):
 
     id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True, index=True)
     tracked_day_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey("tracked_days.id"))
-    meal_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey("meals.id"))
+    meal_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey("meals.id"), nullable=True)
     meal_time = Column(String)  # Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack 1, Snack 2, Beverage 1, Beverage 2
+    name = Column(String, nullable=True) # For single food items or custom names
 
     tracked_day = relationship("TrackedDay", back_populates="tracked_meals")
     meal = relationship("Meal")
@@ -427,9 +428,11 @@ def calculate_tracked_meal_nutrition(tracked_meal, db: Session):
         'fiber': 0, 'sugar': 0, 'sodium': 0, 'calcium': 0
     }
     
-    # 1. Get base foods from the meal
+    # 1. Get base foods from the meal (if it exists)
     # access via relationship, assume eager loading or lazy loading
-    base_foods = {mf.food_id: mf for mf in tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods}
+    base_foods = {}
+    if tracked_meal.meal:
+        base_foods = {mf.food_id: mf for mf in tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods}
     
     # 2. Get tracked foods (overrides, deletions, additions)
     tracked_foods = tracked_meal.tracked_foods
diff --git a/conductor/tracks.md b/conductor/tracks.md
index 72ca727..6d69db6 100644
--- a/conductor/tracks.md
+++ b/conductor/tracks.md
@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@ This file tracks all major tracks for the project. Each track has its own detail
 
 ---
 
-- [ ] **Track: Refactor the meal tracking system to decouple 'Journal Logs' from 'Cookbook Recipes'**
+- [x] **Track: Refactor the meal tracking system to decouple 'Journal Logs' from 'Cookbook Recipes'**
 *Link: [./tracks/meal_tracker_refactor_20250223/](./tracks/meal_tracker_refactor_20250223/)*
diff --git a/conductor/tracks/meal_tracker_refactor_20250223/plan.md b/conductor/tracks/meal_tracker_refactor_20250223/plan.md
index 4d4d1c4..07a3a7d 100644
--- a/conductor/tracks/meal_tracker_refactor_20250223/plan.md
+++ b/conductor/tracks/meal_tracker_refactor_20250223/plan.md
@@ -2,27 +2,27 @@
 
 This plan outlines the steps for refactoring the meal tracking system to decouple "Journal Logs" from "Cookbook Recipes," resolving database pollution and improving system structure.
 
-## Phase 1: Preparation & Schema Updates
-- [ ] Task: Create a new branch for the refactoring track.
-- [ ] Task: Add the 'name' column to the 'TrackedMeal' table and make 'meal_id' nullable in 'app/database.py'.
-- [ ] Task: Create and run an Alembic migration for the schema changes.
+## Phase 1: Preparation & Schema Updates [checkpoint: 326a82e]
+- [x] Task: Create a new branch for the refactoring track.
+- [x] Task: Add the 'name' column to the 'TrackedMeal' table and make 'meal_id' nullable in 'app/database.py'.
+- [x] Task: Create and run an Alembic migration for the schema changes.
 - [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 1: Preparation & Schema Updates' (Protocol in workflow.md)
 
-## Phase 2: Logic & Calculation Updates
+## Phase 2: Logic & Calculation Updates [checkpoint: cc6b4ca]
 - [ ] Task: Write failing unit tests for 'calculate_tracked_meal_nutrition' with 'meal_id=None'.
 - [ ] Task: Implement support for 'meal_id=None' in 'calculate_tracked_meal_nutrition' within 'app/database.py'.
 - [ ] Task: Write failing unit tests for the refactored 'tracker_add_food' endpoint.
 - [ ] Task: Refactor the 'tracker_add_food' route in 'app/api/routes/tracker.py' to use the new 'TrackedMeal' structure.
 - [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 2: Logic & Calculation Updates' (Protocol in workflow.md)
 
-## Phase 3: UI & Cookbook Refinement
+## Phase 3: UI & Cookbook Refinement [checkpoint: b834e89]
 - [ ] Task: Update the 'tracker.html' template to display 'TrackedMeal.name' for template-less logs.
 - [ ] Task: Update the Meals page in 'app/api/routes/meals.py' to filter out 'single_food' and 'snapshot' types.
 - [ ] Task: Write failing E2E tests for the new tracking workflow.
 - [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 3: UI & Cookbook Refinement' (Protocol in workflow.md)
 
-## Phase 4: Database Migration & Cleanup
-- [ ] Task: Create a Python migration script for cleaning up existing 'single_food' entries.
-- [ ] Task: Run the migration script on the development PostgreSQL database.
-- [ ] Task: Verify the database state and ensure no orphans remain.
-- [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 4: Database Migration & Cleanup' (Protocol in workflow.md)
+## Phase 4: Database Migration & Cleanup [checkpoint: 5c73ce9]
+- [x] Task: Create a Python migration script for cleaning up existing 'single_food' entries.
+- [x] Task: Run the migration script on the development PostgreSQL database.
+- [x] Task: Verify the database state and ensure no orphans remain.
+- [x] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 4: Database Migration & Cleanup' (Protocol in workflow.md)
diff --git a/templates/tracker.html b/templates/tracker.html
index 84ad3dd..682f500 100644
--- a/templates/tracker.html
+++ b/templates/tracker.html
@@ -70,15 +70,15 @@
                     {% for tracked_meal in meals_for_time %}
                     {# 1. Create stable slugs #}
                     {% set meal_time_slug = meal_time|slugify %}
-                    {% set meal_name_safe = tracked_meal.meal.name|slugify %}
+                    {% set display_meal_name = (tracked_meal.name or tracked_meal.meal.name) if (tracked_meal.name or tracked_meal.meal) else "Unnamed Meal" %}
+                    {% set meal_name_safe = display_meal_name|slugify %}
 
                     {# 2. Construct the core Unique Meal ID for non-ambiguous locating #}
                     {% set unique_meal_id = meal_time_slug + '-' + meal_name_safe + '-' + loop.index|string %}
                     <div class="mb-3 p-3 bg-light rounded" data-testid="meal-card-{{ unique_meal_id }}">
                         <div class="d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center mb-2">
                             <div>
-                                <strong data-testid="meal-name-{{ unique_meal_id }}">{{ tracked_meal.meal.name
-                                    }}</strong>
+                                <strong data-testid="meal-name-{{ unique_meal_id }}">{{ display_meal_name }}</strong>
                             </div>
                             <div>
                                 <button class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary me-1"
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@
                                     </thead>
                                     <tbody>
                                         {# Display base meal foods, applying overrides #}
+                                        {% if tracked_meal.meal %}
                                         {% for meal_food in tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods %}
                                         {% if meal_food.food_id not in deleted_food_ids and meal_food.food_id not in
                                         overrides.keys() %}
@@ -162,6 +163,7 @@
                                         </tr>
                                         {% endif %}
                                         {% endfor %}
+                                        {% endif %}
 
                                         {# Display overridden/new foods #}
                                         {% for food_id, tmf in overrides.items() %}
diff --git a/tests/test_add_food_bug.py b/tests/test_add_food_bug.py
index b57b4bb..5490b20 100644
--- a/tests/test_add_food_bug.py
+++ b/tests/test_add_food_bug.py
@@ -98,20 +98,9 @@ def test_add_food_quantity_saved_correctly(test_client: TestClient, test_engine)
         query_session = sessionmaker(autocommit=False, autoflush=False, bind=test_engine)()
         
         try:
-            # Find the created Meal
-            created_meal = query_session.query(Meal).order_by(Meal.id.desc()).first()
-            assert created_meal is not None
-            assert created_meal.name == "Test Food"
-            assert created_meal.meal_type == "single_food"
-
-            # Find the MealFood
-            meal_food = query_session.query(MealFood).filter(MealFood.meal_id == created_meal.id).first()
-            assert meal_food is not None
-            assert meal_food.food_id == food.id
-
-            # This assertion fails because the backend used data.get("grams", 1.0), so quantity=1.0 instead of 50.0
-            # After the fix changing to data.get("quantity", 1.0), it will pass
-            assert meal_food.quantity == 50.0, f"Expected quantity 50.0, but got {meal_food.quantity}"
+            # Verify NO new Meal was created
+            meals = query_session.query(Meal).all()
+            assert len(meals) == 0
 
             # Also verify TrackedDay and TrackedMeal were created
             tracked_day = query_session.query(TrackedDay).filter(
@@ -123,8 +112,16 @@ def test_add_food_quantity_saved_correctly(test_client: TestClient, test_engine)
 
             tracked_meal = query_session.query(TrackedMeal).filter(TrackedMeal.tracked_day_id == tracked_day.id).first()
             assert tracked_meal is not None
-            assert tracked_meal.meal_id == created_meal.id
+            assert tracked_meal.meal_id is None
+            assert tracked_meal.name == "Test Food"
             assert tracked_meal.meal_time == "Snack 1"
+
+            # Find the TrackedMealFood
+            from app.database import TrackedMealFood
+            tmf = query_session.query(TrackedMealFood).filter(TrackedMealFood.tracked_meal_id == tracked_meal.id).first()
+            assert tmf is not None
+            assert tmf.food_id == food.id
+            assert tmf.quantity == 50.0
             
         finally:
             query_session.close()
diff --git a/tests/test_food_weight_consistency.py b/tests/test_food_weight_consistency.py
index 4e592a7..8e20dff 100644
--- a/tests/test_food_weight_consistency.py
+++ b/tests/test_food_weight_consistency.py
@@ -140,10 +140,13 @@ def test_tracker_add_food_grams_input(client, session, sample_food_100g):
     assert response.json()["status"] == "success"
 
     # Verify the tracked meal food quantity
-    tracked_meal = session.query(Meal).filter(Meal.name == sample_food_100g.name).first()
+    tracked_meal = session.query(TrackedMeal).filter(TrackedMeal.name == sample_food_100g.name).first()
     assert tracked_meal is not None
-    meal_food = session.query(MealFood).filter(MealFood.meal_id == tracked_meal.id).first()
-    assert meal_food.quantity == grams
+    assert tracked_meal.meal_id is None
+    
+    tmf = session.query(TrackedMealFood).filter(TrackedMealFood.tracked_meal_id == tracked_meal.id).first()
+    assert tmf is not None
+    assert tmf.quantity == grams
 
 def test_update_tracked_meal_foods_grams_input(client, session, sample_food_100g, sample_food_50g):
     """Test updating tracked meal foods with grams input"""
diff --git a/tests/test_tracked_meal_refactor.py b/tests/test_tracked_meal_refactor.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..480a617
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_tracked_meal_refactor.py
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+import pytest
+from app.database import Food, TrackedMeal, TrackedMealFood, calculate_tracked_meal_nutrition
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+
+def test_calculate_tracked_meal_nutrition_no_meal_template(db_session: Session):
+    """Test nutrition calculation for a tracked meal with no parent meal template (meal_id=None)"""
+    # Create a food
+    food = Food(
+        name="Test Food",
+        serving_size=100.0,
+        serving_unit="g",
+        calories=100.0,
+        protein=10.0,
+        carbs=20.0,
+        fat=5.0,
+        fiber=5.0,
+        sugar=10.0,
+        sodium=100.0,
+        calcium=50.0
+    )
+    db_session.add(food)
+    db_session.commit()
+    db_session.refresh(food)
+
+    # Create a tracked meal without a template
+    tracked_meal = TrackedMeal(
+        meal_id=None,
+        meal_time="Snack",
+        name="Single Food Log"
+    )
+    db_session.add(tracked_meal)
+    db_session.commit()
+    db_session.refresh(tracked_meal)
+
+    # Add a tracked food entry to it
+    tracked_food = TrackedMealFood(
+        tracked_meal_id=tracked_meal.id,
+        food_id=food.id,
+        quantity=200.0, # 2 servings
+        is_override=False,
+        is_deleted=False
+    )
+    db_session.add(tracked_food)
+    db_session.commit()
+    db_session.refresh(tracked_food)
+
+    # Calculate nutrition
+    nutrition = calculate_tracked_meal_nutrition(tracked_meal, db_session)
+
+    # Assertions
+    assert nutrition['calories'] == 200.0
+    assert nutrition['protein'] == 20.0
+    assert nutrition['carbs'] == 40.0
+    assert nutrition['fat'] == 10.0
+    assert nutrition['fiber'] == 10.0
+    assert nutrition['sugar'] == 20.0
+    assert nutrition['sodium'] == 200.0
+    assert nutrition['calcium'] == 100.0
+    assert nutrition['net_carbs'] == 30.0
+    assert nutrition['protein_pct'] == 40.0 # (20 * 4) / 200 = 80 / 200 = 40%
+    assert nutrition['carbs_pct'] == 80.0 # (40 * 4) / 200 = 160 / 200 = 80%
+    assert nutrition['fat_pct'] == 45.0 # (10 * 9) / 200 = 90 / 200 = 45%
+
+def test_tracker_add_food_api_no_new_meal(client, db_session: Session):
+    """Test /tracker/add_food endpoint to ensure it doesn't create redundant Meal templates"""
+    # Create a food
+    food = Food(
+        name="API Test Food",
+        serving_size=100.0,
+        serving_unit="g",
+        calories=100.0,
+        protein=10.0,
+        carbs=20.0,
+        fat=5.0
+    )
+    db_session.add(food)
+    db_session.commit()
+    db_session.refresh(food)
+
+    from app.database import Meal
+    initial_meal_count = db_session.query(Meal).count()
+
+    # Call the API
+    response = client.post("/tracker/add_food", json={
+        "person": "Sarah",
+        "date": "2025-02-24",
+        "food_id": food.id,
+        "quantity": 150.0,
+        "meal_time": "Snack"
+    })
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert response.json()["status"] == "success"
+
+    # Verify NO new Meal was created
+    assert db_session.query(Meal).count() == initial_meal_count
+
+    # Verify TrackedMeal exists with meal_id=None and correct name
+    from app.database import TrackedMeal, TrackedDay
+    tracked_day = db_session.query(TrackedDay).filter(TrackedDay.date == "2025-02-24").first()
+    assert tracked_day is not None
+    
+    tracked_meal = db_session.query(TrackedMeal).filter(TrackedMeal.tracked_day_id == tracked_day.id).first()
+    assert tracked_meal is not None
+    assert tracked_meal.meal_id is None
+    assert tracked_meal.name == "API Test Food"
+    
+    # Verify TrackedMealFood exists
+    from app.database import TrackedMealFood
+    tmf = db_session.query(TrackedMealFood).filter(TrackedMealFood.tracked_meal_id == tracked_meal.id).first()
+    assert tmf is not None
+    assert tmf.food_id == food.id
+    assert tmf.quantity == 150.0
diff --git a/tests/test_tracker.py b/tests/test_tracker.py
index b02f76c..cfd5359 100644
--- a/tests/test_tracker.py
+++ b/tests/test_tracker.py
@@ -384,12 +384,13 @@ class TestTrackerAddFood:
         assert len(tracked_meals) == 1
         
         tracked_meal = tracked_meals[0]
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.name == sample_food.name # The meal name should be the food name
+        assert tracked_meal.name == sample_food.name # The meal name should be the food name
+        assert tracked_meal.meal_id is None
 
         # Verify the food is in the tracked meal's foods
-        assert len(tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods) == 1
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods[0].food_id == sample_food.id
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods[0].quantity == 100.0
+        assert len(tracked_meal.tracked_foods) == 1
+        assert tracked_meal.tracked_foods[0].food_id == sample_food.id
+        assert tracked_meal.tracked_foods[0].quantity == 100.0
 
 
     def test_add_food_to_tracker_with_meal_time(self, client, sample_food, db_session):
@@ -418,11 +419,12 @@ class TestTrackerAddFood:
         assert len(tracked_meals) == 1
         
         tracked_meal = tracked_meals[0]
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.name == sample_food.name
+        assert tracked_meal.name == sample_food.name
+        assert tracked_meal.meal_id is None
 
-        assert len(tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods) == 1
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods[0].food_id == sample_food.id
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods[0].quantity == 150.0
+        assert len(tracked_meal.tracked_foods) == 1
+        assert tracked_meal.tracked_foods[0].food_id == sample_food.id
+        assert tracked_meal.tracked_foods[0].quantity == 150.0
 
     def test_add_food_quantity_is_correctly_converted_to_servings(self, client, db_session):
         """
@@ -464,12 +466,13 @@ class TestTrackerAddFood:
         assert len(tracked_meals) == 1
         
         tracked_meal = tracked_meals[0]
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.name == food.name
+        assert tracked_meal.name == food.name
+        assert tracked_meal.meal_id is None
 
-        # Verify the food is in the tracked meal's foods and quantity is in servings
-        assert len(tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods) == 1
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods[0].food_id == food.id
-        assert tracked_meal.meal.meal_foods[0].quantity == grams_to_add
+        # Verify the food is in the tracked meal's foods
+        assert len(tracked_meal.tracked_foods) == 1
+        assert tracked_meal.tracked_foods[0].food_id == food.id
+        assert tracked_meal.tracked_foods[0].quantity == grams_to_add
 
         # Verify nutrition calculation
         day_nutrition = calculate_day_nutrition_tracked([tracked_meal], db_session)
diff --git a/tests/tracked_meal_refactor.spec.js b/tests/tracked_meal_refactor.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc3ec45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/tracked_meal_refactor.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+const { test, expect } = require('@playwright/test');
+
+test('add single food to tracker and verify it is not in meals page', async ({ page }) => {
+  await page.goto('/tracker');
+
+  // Add single food to breakfast
+  await page.locator('[data-testid="add-food-breakfast"]').click();
+  // Select a food (Verification Beans)
+  await page.locator('#addSingleFoodModal select[name="food_id"]').selectOption({ label: 'Verification Beans' });
+  await page.locator('#addSingleFoodModal input[name="quantity"]').fill('200');
+  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Add Food', exact: true }).click();
+
+  // Verify it appears in the tracker
+  // The name should be just the food name
+  const mealNameLocator = page.locator('[data-testid^="meal-name-breakfast-verification-beans"]');
+  await expect(mealNameLocator).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(mealNameLocator).toHaveText('Verification Beans');
+
+  // Verify it contains the food with correct quantity
+  const foodRowLocator = page.locator('[data-testid^="food-row-breakfast-verification-beans"][data-testid$="verification-beans"]');
+  await expect(foodRowLocator).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(foodRowLocator).toContainText('Verification Beans');
+  await expect(foodRowLocator).toContainText('200.0 g');
+
+  // Navigate to Meals page
+  await page.goto('/meals');
+
+  // Verify 'Verification Beans' is NOT in the meals list as a meal name
+  // It might be in the ingredients dropdown, but shouldn't be a <strong> heading in a card
+  const mealCardHeading = page.locator('.card-title:has-text("Verification Beans")');
+  await expect(mealCardHeading).not.toBeVisible();
+});