Nutrition Software Glossary
A comprehensive guide to terminology used in meal planning software, nutrition software, and dietitian practice management. Whether you're a dietitian, nutritionist, personal trainer, or health coach, this glossary will help you understand the tools and features available for your practice.
Software & Technology Terms
Meal Planning Software
Digital applications designed to help nutrition professionals create, customize, and deliver personalized meal plans to clients. Modern meal planning software like Foodzilla includes features such as AI-powered plan generation, recipe databases, nutritional analysis, client portals, and mobile apps.
AI Meal Planning / AI-Powered Meal Plans
The use of artificial intelligence to automatically generate personalized meal plans based on client data including dietary preferences, restrictions, calorie targets, and macro goals. AI meal planning can create complete weekly meal plans in seconds, saving nutrition professionals hours of manual work. Foodzilla's AI considers factors like food allergies, cuisine preferences, and nutritional requirements.
Nutrition Software
Comprehensive software platforms designed for nutrition professionals to analyze diets, create meal plans, manage clients, and run their practice. Also known as dietitian software, nutrition practice software, or nutrition management software.
White-Label App / White-Label Mobile App
A mobile application that can be fully customized with your own branding (logo, colors, business name) and published under your business name in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This allows nutrition professionals to offer clients a branded experience. Foodzilla includes white-label apps in Professional plans.
Client Portal
A secure online interface where clients can access their meal plans, track food intake, view progress, communicate with their nutrition professional, and manage their account. Essential for modern nutrition practices.
Food Database
A comprehensive collection of foods with detailed nutritional information including calories, macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Quality nutrition software uses verified databases like the USDA Food Data Central. Foodzilla includes 2000+ foods from the USDA database.
Recipe Database
A collection of recipes with calculated nutritional information that can be used in meal planning. Professional nutrition software allows creating custom recipes and calculating nutrition automatically.
Nutrition Analysis
The process of calculating and displaying the nutritional content of foods, recipes, or meal plans. Includes macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals), and other nutritional data.
Zapier Integration
Connection to Zapier, an automation platform that links different apps together. Allows nutrition software to connect with 100+ other applications including calendars, CRMs, email marketing tools, and payment processors.
Nutrition & Diet Terms
Macronutrients (Macros)
The three main nutrients required in large amounts for energy and body function: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Macro tracking is fundamental to nutrition planning and many meal planning software platforms offer macro-based planning.
Micronutrients
Vitamins and minerals required in smaller amounts for proper body function. Comprehensive nutrition software tracks micronutrients including Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, and more.
Dietary Restrictions
Limitations on food intake due to allergies, intolerances, medical conditions, or personal choices. Common restrictions include gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and low-FODMAP. Meal planning software should support customizable restrictions.
Dietary Preferences
Food choices based on lifestyle, ethics, or health goals. Common preferences include keto, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, Mediterranean, and whole30. Foodzilla supports 50+ dietary preferences.
Calorie Target / Daily Calorie Goal
The target number of calories a client should consume daily to achieve their health goals (weight loss, maintenance, or gain). Meal planning software uses this to generate appropriate meal plans.
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
Nutritional diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services provided by a registered dietitian for the management of diseases and conditions. Requires HIPAA-compliant software when handling patient health information.
Practice Management Terms
Client Management
The process of tracking and managing client information, progress, communications, and deliverables. Modern nutrition software includes client management features like profiles, progress tracking, and messaging.
Active Clients
Clients currently receiving services and using the platform. Nutrition software plans often price based on the number of active clients allowed.
Client Onboarding
The process of setting up new clients in your system, collecting their information, preferences, and goals. Good nutrition software streamlines onboarding with intake forms and questionnaires.
Progress Tracking
Monitoring client progress over time through metrics like weight, measurements, food diary entries, and adherence to meal plans. Essential for demonstrating value and adjusting plans.
Food Diary / Food Journal
A record of foods consumed by a client, typically tracked through a mobile app. Helps nutrition professionals assess eating habits and compliance with meal plans.
Telehealth Nutrition / Virtual Nutrition Counseling
Providing nutrition services remotely via video conferencing. Requires software that supports virtual consultations and secure communication.
Compliance & Security Terms
HIPAA Compliance
Adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which sets standards for protecting sensitive patient health information. Required for registered dietitians and healthcare providers in the US. Foodzilla offers HIPAA compliance on Enterprise plans.
Business Associate Agreement (BAA)
A contract between a HIPAA-covered entity and a vendor (business associate) that ensures the vendor will appropriately safeguard protected health information. Required when using nutrition software with patient data.
Protected Health Information (PHI)
Any health information that can be linked to a specific individual, including medical histories, test results, and treatment information. Must be protected under HIPAA regulations.
SSO (Single Sign-On)
An authentication method that allows users to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials. Enterprise nutrition software often includes SSO for security and convenience.
ISO 27001
An international standard for information security management systems. Certification indicates a software provider follows best practices for data security.
User Types & Professions
Registered Dietitian (RD) / Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
A food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including a bachelor's degree, supervised practice, and passing a national examination. RDs often require HIPAA-compliant software for medical nutrition therapy.
Nutritionist
A professional who advises on matters of food and nutrition and their impacts on health. Requirements vary by location; some areas regulate the title while others do not. Nutritionists use meal planning software to create client meal plans.
Personal Trainer
A fitness professional who develops and implements exercise programs for clients. Many personal trainers also provide nutrition guidance and use meal planning software to offer complete fitness and nutrition services.
Health Coach / Nutrition Coach
A professional who helps clients make lifestyle and behavior changes to improve their health. Health coaches often use meal planning software to support clients with nutrition guidance and accountability.
Wellness Practitioner
A broad term for professionals who help clients improve overall wellbeing, which may include nutrition, fitness, stress management, and lifestyle factors.
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