Using Nutritional Analysis Software
Using the nutrition analysis software that lets you work faster and grow your business
If you stake your reputation on the quality and accuracy of nutrition information you provide clients and customers, then invest in quality food analysis software. Software and food analysis go well together and can free up more time for clients since you'll need less time to perform manual calculations. Additionally, whether you share your analysis with clients directly or indirectly through working in the food technology industry, a nutritional analysis tool offers the unbeatable combination of speed and accuracy, something manual computations can't match.The time saved with a solid nutritional analysis program on your computer gives you more time with existing clients and can create a window of opportunity for taking on even more clients, growing your business and improving your bottom line.
1. Ensure compatibility of nutritional analysis programs with your computer's operating system.
2. Try free nutrition analysis software trials before purchasing to check for user friendliness and the results you needed.
3. Know the source of the database you get with your nutritional analysis software; sources include the USDA, FDA, individual manufacturers and fast food chains.
Familiarize yourself with all available features when first using nutritional analysis software
Different nutritional analysis software systems offer different features. A food analysis program with the most features you can afford lets you offer additional services to your clients. Even if you don't need all the features immediately, you may find yourself better off purchasing them now, rather than waiting till you need them and having to invest in even more software.
Try: If you create food labels, check out the features you get with the nutrition label software Genesis R&D SQL from ESHA Research and then click to hear tutorials. The software includes child labels and supplement fact panels, a trans fat data/label display option, automatic ingredient statements/allergen statements/nutrient content claims, yield adjustments, access to a database with more than 37,000 foods/food items, automatic nutrient analysis for more than 160 nutritional components, food exchanges and much more. Request a software demo of Nutritionist Pro Diet Analysis software from Axxya Systems. Not only does it include an extensive database, diet/recipe/menu analysis and reports, it also lets you track detailed information on all your clients.
Take advantage of customer support offered for your nutritional analysis software
Many nutrient analysis software companies will offer, for an additional price, a technical support contract. Some companies provide their regular software updates to existing customers at no charge, while others will charge still another fee for that service.
Try: Technical support comes standard with the BioEx Systems dietician and nutritionist software. Users can contact them via email, fax or voice mail. Additionally, it provides a link for general troubleshooting, instructions and patches/upgrades. FoodWorks software from The Nutrition Company also provides tech support free of charge via email or by telephone (you pay for the phone call, but the company doesn't charge extra for the service).
Get more out of software for nutritional analysis that fits your particular business
Some nutritional analysis software applications fit specific industries, making nearly all their features appropriate for your specialty.
Try: Advanced Analytical offers software designed with bakeries and other commercial food producers in mind. The software analyzes recipes for nutritional content as well as product food costing and labor costing with setup and assembly time tracking. If you work in a nursing home or assisted living environment, ADL Data Systems offers a Dietary software system that includes menu planning, food database and nutritional analysis. You can create complete resident dietary profiles that include allergies/restrictions/likes/dislikes, and the software lets you print color-coded tray cards, perform intake studies and calculate meal costing and production.
- While researching nutritional analysis software programs, keep an eye out for simple - maybe even free - nutrition analysis software you can recommend to your clients. Many people on diets find added motivation when they take an active role in making sure they're eating smart.
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