A: Feedback from FoodWorks users indicates that they find FoodWorks to be the easiest to use software they have ever tried, not to mention the most cost effective. In fact, FoodWorks is so easy to use that it has been installed in high school classrooms to aid in teaching nutrition concepts. At the same time, FoodWorks can handle a wide spectrum of nutrition assessment tasks from teaching nutrition to client counseling to menu and recipe analysis to gathering research data.
Q: How does FoodWorks compare to other nutrient analysis software?
A: FoodWorks is comparable to other full-featured nutrition analysis software packages. FoodWorks has all of the features that dietitians use, presented in an easy to understand format. The primary differences between other nutrition analysis software and FoodWorks are ease and flexibility of use, and cost of use over the short and long terms. The single-computer license for FoodWorks is priced an average of 70% less than that of similar software.
Q: Why is FoodWorks only $199.95 when similar software costs much more?
A: A primary goal of FoodWorks' designers was to create a powerful nutrient analysis tool that is affordable and can perform over a broad spectrum of analysis tasks. Our efficient organization, effective data management tools, low overhead, and over 30 years of experience developing and applying nutrition software allow us to offer FoodWorks at a price that is far below the price of similar software.
Q: What should I ask when shopping for nutrient analysis software?
A: First, you should be sure that the features match your needs and expectations. You should be prepared to be flexible with respect to how you will perform various tasks using your new software. You should also be certain that the software will run on your computer. Second, you should be certain that the price you pay will cover all of the options you require (FoodWorks has no options - everything is included). Third, you should find out what future upgrades will cost (FoodWorks upgrades cost $49.95 and are available approximately once per year. You are NOT required to upgrade if you don't wish to do so). Fourth, find out if you must pay for subscriptions or license renewals (FoodWorks has no subscriptions or renewal fees). Fifth, find out the cost of technical support (support for FoodWorks is free for currently supported versions).
Q: Does FoodWorks work with Microsoft Vista?
A: Yes. FoodWorks is fully functional with computers running Microsoft Vista. However, there are two known issues that may affect your installation of FoodWorks under Vista:
Some users may experience a registration error during installation of the FoodWorks software. If so, an error message will appear stating that a system file with a “TLB” extension cannot be registered. If this error occurs during your installation, click the “IGNORE” button and let the installation proceed. A second error message may also appear referring to the same file. Click the “IGNORE” button for this error as well. The FoodWorks installation will then complete normally and your FoodWorks software will be ready for you to use.
Also, in some versions of Vista, the FoodWorks icon may not be added to the programs list on the Start button menu. If this happens, you can easily create a desktop shortcut for FoodWorks. To do this, select “Computer” from the Start button menu. Double-click “Local drive C:”, then locate and double-click the “Program Files” folder. Inside the Program Files folder, locate and double-click the “FWorks10” folder. Locate the FoodWorks application's red and yellow chili pepper icon and right-click on it. A pop-up menu will appear. Choose “Send to” and then choose “Desktop” from the sub-menu. This will create a FoodWorks desktop icon for you to use.
Q: What if I have a Macintosh computer?
A: While FoodWorks is guaranteed to function only with Windows operating systems, many Macintosh owners are successfully using FoodWorks on Macintosh computers that have Windows emulation software installed (such as Virtual PC). If you are a Macintosh user and wish to use FoodWorks, contact your Macintosh software reseller about Windows emulation software. Contact Customer Service if you have questions about using FoodWorks on your Macintosh. Complete contact information can be found on the home page of this website.
Q: What kinds of analyses can I do using FoodWorks?
A: You can analyze anything that can be quantified as a list of food items. That might be a meal, a 24-hour recall, a 3-day record, a recipe, a menu, or even a single food item.
Q: Where does the nutrient data come from?
A: The FoodWorks data base consists of data from the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, the USDA Food and Nutrition Database for Dietary Studies, and data from independent sources such as research laboratories, food manufacturers, fast food restaurants, and the makers of supplements and formulas. Additionally, FoodWorks contains historic food references to aid nutrition researchers in the analysis of archived food records as part of on-going research projects.
Q: What computer equipment must I have to use FoodWorks?
A: You must have a computer equipped with the Windows (95, 98, 2000, ME, XP, Vista, or NT) operating system. A processor speed of at least 200 Megahertz is the minimum suggested. Like all programs that search a data base, computer processor speed and the size of cache memory are the primary factors that determine how fast the program will run. FoodWorks will print on any printer that has graphic capability, but laser and ink-jet printers are preferred.
Q: Does FoodWorks include the new DRI values?
A: Yes. FoodWorks contains all updates from all Dietary Reference Intakes report developed by the National Academy of Sciences and Health Canada. This includes RDA, AI, AMDR, and reference energy expenditure values.
Q: Can I analyze a recipe using FoodWorks?
A: Yes. You can analyze a recipe, save it in a file, add it to the data base, modify it later and update the data base with the modifications, list its ingredients in order of percent of total weight, print a shopping list for it, and generate a food label for it. In short, yes, you can analyze a recipe. You can analyze any list of foods.
Q: Can I analyze cycle menus using FoodWorks?
A: Yes. The FoodWorks User Manual and Help menu feature a complete section on the management of cycle menus with suggested strategies that you can apply.
Q: Can I add foods to the data base?
A: Yes. You can add an unlimited number of foods to the data base. You can add a food item to the data base even if all you have is a Nutrition Facts food label as a data source. In addition, you can edit the FoodWorks data base, which is very useful for inserting new data between updates. You also can add the analysis results of a recipe directly to the data base, making it a new food item. That means you don't need to enter the recipe's ingredients every time you include it in another analysis. In the future, when you upgrade to a future version of FoodWorks, you can automatically bring foods you added to your old version along with you, so you don't have to enter them again. You can share foods you add to the database with other FoodWorks users. This is very useful if you work with a group of people, as in state-wide agencies. You can also export your user-added foods to spreadsheet software such as Microsoft ® Excel.
Q: Can I export results to my word processor?
A: Yes. FoodWorks lets you export analysis results to a text file that can be used not only with word processors, but with any program that can accept text input. You can "cut " information out of the FoodWorks export function and "paste" it directly into any other document. You also can export food labels and graphs as pictures that can be inserted into word processor documents and graphic layouts. You can even export nutrient data in tab-delimited text format for use with spreadsheets (such as Microsoft ® Excel) and all popular statistical processors.
A: Yes. FoodWorks lets you export analysis results as a tab-delimited text file which can be accessed by all popular spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft ® Excel. This gives you not only the ability to create a spreadsheet, but to manipulate it after you create it. Additionally, tab-delimited text files can be opened by statistical analysis programs such as SPSS or StatView.
Q: Can I tag my most frequently used food items so that I can find them quickly?
A: Yes. FoodWorks includes a "Favorites" feature which allows you to create a list of food items you frequently use. You can select these foods directly from the list without having to search for them.
Q: Can I store tray card information using FoodWorks?
A: Yes. Tray card information can be placed in the Personal Data Notepad along with any other dietary restrictions and requirements your patients may have. The contents of the Notepad can be printed, exported as text to a word processor, or even cut and pasted into other active applications. In fact, you can put any information you wish in the Notepad (see the next question).
Q: Can I track clients using FoodWorks?
A: Yes. Client information is stored in the Personal Data Notepad where you can include any information that applies to your client or the analysis you are performing. The contents of the notepad are stored along with personal data about your client for future reference. You can create a file or set of files for every client. However, if HIPAA restrictions apply to your environment, you do not need to enter or store HIPAA-restricted data to complete an analysis.
Q: How often is FoodWorks updated?
A: The FoodWorks data base is updated whenever the USDA issues a major update to the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. It is currently USDA policy to update the Standard Reference annually at approximately the beginning of September. After a USDA update is published, FoodWorks is updated to apply new technology and to include new features that have been suggested by our users. Updates currently cost $49.95 including shipping.
Q: How do I get technical support and how much does it cost?
A: You get technical support by emailing to nutrico@mindspring.com or by calling 908-876-5580 between 9:00AM and 5:00PM Eastern time Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. This is a toll call, but the support is free. There are no subscriptions to pay. Email is the recommended method for contact and is a particular cost-saving method for our many international users.
A: When you purchase FoodWorks and install it on your computer, you must register your FoodWorks software license with The Nutrition Company within 30 days or your program will stop working. This helps us to prevent unauthorized use of FoodWorks which helps keeps your cost low. When you register, you provide a "registration code" that your computer will display. When you are ready to register, simply send the registration code along with your license serial number to The Nutrition Company by email, phone, or fax. A "key code" will be returned to you with instructions about how to use it. Type the key code into the FoodWorks registration reminder display and your license registration is completed quickly and conveniently.
A: Computer software is considered to be "intellectual property" under copyright laws, just like books or music. When you purchase FoodWorks, you are not buying the software itself, but a license to use the software on your computer. It is very much like obtaining a driver's license to allow you to drive your car, except that you’ll never have to renew your FoodWorks license.
Q: What if I want to use FoodWorks on more than one computer?
A: As with all software, your basic license allows you to use FoodWorks on one computer. If you wish to use it on more than one computer that you own, you can purchase additional keys (limited licenses) for $50.00 per computer. When you get to seven computers ($199.95 for the first computer plus $50.00 for each of six additional computers = $499.95), the license becomes unlimited and further licenses for computers at your address are issued at no charge. Putting FoodWorks on a network server always requires an unlimited site license. Licenses are permanent and never need to be renewed.
Upgrades apply to ALL computers covered under your license. When you purchase a future upgrade, you buy only one for your entire license, not one for every computer. That's just another way that FoodWorks saves you money in both the short term and the long term.
A: One of our goals in creating FoodWorks was to lower the price of powerful, reliable nutrient analysis software to a reasonable level. If you’ve looked at other similar programs, you’ve already noticed that FoodWorks costs about 70% less than its peers (such as ESHA's Food Processor or NutriBase). Demo versions drive up the cost of a program and that goes against our mission.
Instead, we offer a 30-day delayed registration of your FoodWorks license. That
means that, when you purchase a license to use FoodWorks, you have a full 30
days to try out THE REAL PROGRAM in your own environment. If, during those 30
days, you find that FoodWorks does not meet your needs, you can return it for a
full refund of the license fee.
We can make this offer because thousands of nutrition professionals from the
USA, Canada, and more than 20 other countries have tried FoodWorks. Less than
1/2 of 1% have ever decided to return it for the promised refund. As you can
see, we’re proud of our software and pleased that we’ve helped the nutrition
community save more than one million dollars on the tools they need to do their
nutrient analysis tasks.