Caveat emptor: assessing needs, evaluating computer options

A variety of services and microcomputer programs are available for providing the dietitian with a mechanized diet-analysis system for calculating nutrients from food records or recipes. They differ widely in the content of their data bases, cost, ease of use, reporting of results, flexibility, and other features. The characteristics of seven programs available by mail order from diet-analysis service vendors and five microcomputer programs were compared. The results of analysis of a one-day food record using various systems and coding by three different operators were compared. Differences by both system and operator were apparent. Nutritionists need to recognize that for some programs the reliability and the validity of data are uncertain. When making purchasing decisions for nonresearch applications, the nutritionist is advised to compare systems and services and to consider carefully whether mechanized diet analysis is of sufficient benefit in the delivery of high-quality nutrition care to offset its cost. The dietitian who chooses to use computerized diet analysis has a responsibility for making sure that reported results are reasonable and for interpreting results to other health professionals and to patients.