Nutrition apps: opportunities to guide patients and grow your career.

S OFTWARE APPLICATIONS (APPS) available for download onto electronic devices number in the hundreds of thousands, changing daily. As software programs, these apps range from the simplest of free calculators and games to those purchased, and operate on tablets, mobile phones, and desktop computers. Peggy Turner, MS, RD, chair of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ (Academy’s) Informatics Committee, describes the ever-growing number of programs as an opportunity for engaging patients/ clients. Not all of these programs on the market offer sound, evidencebased nutrition information, hence the need and opportunity for the profession to help guide patients. According to a Delphi study undertaken by the Informatics Committee on the topic of nutrition informatics, 216 competencies in that field exist for professionals to achieve, and understanding the dynamic world of software applications is certainly a part of that. The Academy has defined nutrition informatics as “the effective retrieval, organization, storage, and optimum use of information, data and knowledge for food and nutrition-related problem solving and decision making. Informatics is supported by the use of information standards, information processes, and information technology.” Proficiency in the utilization of various software packages that allow for the organization, storage, and usage of nutrition information is requisite to advance from novice to expert, or simply to work in the 21st century world of health care. In addition to apps dealing with nutrition, registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) also have at their disposal a number of apps, websites, and books to help them understand the field of information technology (IT) from software design on up. Apps can offer health care professionals another way to engage their patients, expand the reach of their practice, and potentially lower health care costs. The proliferation of these devices has become such that RDNs might not immediately recognize their potential for work-related activities. Among the goals of this article is that professionals, such as RDNs, recognize the opportunities available in terms of usage and, perhaps, even production and design.