Features:

Optimal Nutrition is the first, and so far, the only, nutrition analysis software in existence that incorporates the September 2002 guidelines issued by the Institute of Medicine, the medical division of the National Academies. The latest guidelines establish for the first time a range of recommended amounts (Dietary Reference Intakes or DRIs) for macronutrients — proteins, fats and carbohydrates — and also include advice on how much dietary fiber and how little cholesterol or saturated fat people should strive for to maintain good health. Previous reports from the National Research Council over the last 60 years have dealt only with recommended levels (RDAs) of vitamins and minerals.

In addition, the program provides a unique glycemic index (GI) indicator for over 2,500 commonly used food items in its database. This is a comprehensive glycemic index rating compilation. They aggregate GI measurements from the most authoritative sources and normalize the ratings into 3 categories: low, medium and high. Users can assign and modify the ratings for any foods in the NutriGenie database or in their own database. With a single command, the user can see all foods in the appropriate GI category for selection. Menu planning using desirable GI foods has never been easier. NutriGenie Optimal Nutrition is the only software that can analyze your diet and tell you precisely its calorie percentage from low, medium or high glycemic index foods. This is the most meaningful way to assess the glycemic index of one's nutrition. No other competitors' software on the market offers this functionality.

Note: Optimal Nutrition has all the features in Total Nutrition. In addition, it has the caloric distribution analysis based on glycemic index ratings of foods and the descriptive analyses of diet for fat, vitamin and mineral contents. However, Optimal Nutrition doesn't include the companion program Omega-3 Counter and it requires a minimum screen resolution of 960 by 720.

Database:

• 8,000 items plus user's own food database.

• RDA, calories, protein, carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, sodium, potassium, alcohol, USDA Food Pyramid.