NCC News Bite | March 2018

This edition contains the following articles:

A Sneak Peak at Program Improvements in NDSR 2018!
Food and Nutrient Database Updates Coming in NDSR 2018
SQL Upgrade for Networked Database Users
New Foods

 

A Sneak Peak at Program Improvements in NDSR 2018!

We’re excited to give you a preview of NDSR 2018, which is scheduled for release at the end of July. What’s in store for you when you upgrade to NDSR 2018?

  • Improved legibility thanks to use of a different font and larger font size. We decided it was time to take advantage of newer font options that are easier on the eye. In addition, we nudged the font size up a tad (increased from 8 to 10). Taken together, these changes to NDSR are going to turn squints into smiles.
  • Have you ever wished you could ask questions or code information about a dietary recall after it has been completed (after the final pass)? If so, your wish has come true as NDSR 2018 provides the option to include customizable data fields on the trailer tab. Now it will be a breeze to record information such as the language the interview was conducted in, whether the participant had a food amount booklet present for the interview, etc.
  • On a related note, if you have wanted to include only one of the trailer questions you will be pleased to find this is now an option in NDSR 2018.
  • Some of you have asked for improvements to the reports in NDSR so they are more useful for nutrition counseling/education purposes. To meet this need we have made a number of changes to the reports. The changes include removing the ‘Mandatory Component’ and ‘Voluntary Component’ subheadings in both the Daily Value and Average Daily Value Reports. The RDA/AI Reports now provide nutrient values rounded to decimal places that make good sense for nutrition counseling/education. We have added the option to create Nutrient Totals Reports that include counseling friendly rounding also. Note: the Nutrient Totals Reports may still be generated using current rounding conventions because we know that some of you use these reports for purposes other than counseling and prefer current rounding.

Food and Nutrient Database Updates Coming in NDSR 2018

The food marketplace is shapeshifting, with new products introduced and existing products reformulated on a continuous basis. In addition, more and better nutrient composition data becomes available over time. Consequently, our database team is constantly working to update the food and nutrient database that supports NDSR. Here are some of the updates you can look forward to in NDSR 2018:

  • The baby food category has been updated. The process included updating existing brands (Gerber, Beech-Nut, Earth’s Best Organic) and adding several new brands that have emerged in the marketplace (Happy Family, Ella’s Kitchen, Mum Mum, and Plum Organics). The number of brand name baby food products in NDSR now totals over 800, and while updating we noticed a number of marketplace trends that make baby foods today different than those available the last time we updated this category. For example, there are now more baby cereals that contain whole grains.
  • The following brands of commercial entrees have been updated: Kid Cuisine, Lean Cuisine, Pillsbury, Stouffers, Weight Watchers.
  • The following fast food restaurants have been updated: Domino’s, Little Caesars, Long John Silver’s, Panda Express, Pizza Hut, Taco John’s, White Castle.
  • The following brands of ready-to-eat cereals have been updated: Arrowhead Mills, Bear Naked, Heartland Brands, McKee Foods, Malt-O-Meal, Mom’s Best Cereals.
  • And many more updates! (e.g. coffee mixes, frozen pancakes & waffles, non-dairy ice cream).

In addition to updating food categories, we are continually adding foods to the database in response to requests from you. Here is a sampling of the foods added to NDSR 2018:

  • Cashew milk (several varieties added)
  • Adobo with rice (new mixed dish with variable ingredients options)
  • Congee (new mixed dish with variable ingredients options)
  • Frittata (new mixed dish with variable ingredient options)
  • More sushi options
  • More non-dairy ice cream treats and non-dairy yogurts
  • Breakfast sandwiches added to the sandwich hierarchy
  • Several alcoholic cocktails (e.g. zombie, whiskey and water, whiskey and cola)
  • Waffles and pancakes with chocolate chips
  • Himalayan (pink) salt
  • AND MANY MORE!

SQL Upgrade for Networked Database Users

With the release of NDSR 2018 this summer, networked database users should be using the latest SQL Anywhere software. The current version available is SQL Anywhere 17, but users should be on at least SQL Anywhere 16. With the type of data that researchers are collecting in NDSR, upgrading to the latest version of the SQL Anywhere software provides enhanced security for networked database users that are current with the times. NDSR 2018 will be compatible with these two versions of the software. NCC will no longer support use of NDSR versions on SQL Anywhere 12. Contact the Information Technology specialist at your institution to check what version of SQL Anywhere you are on and start discussing the upgrade process if you are not on SQL Anywhere 16 or 17.

New Foods

The following foods are included in the NCC News March 2018 New Foods Backup File, available for download on our website under New Food Backup Files, “March 2018”

  • Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust
  • Taco Bell Nacho Fries
  • NuGo Slim Protein Bar – Chocolate Raspberry Truffle
  • Morningstar Farms Original Sausage Patties
  • RXBAR Kids – Berry Blast
  • Green Giant Broccoli & Cheese Veggie Tots
  • Saffron Road Chickbean Crisps – Sea Salt
  • Halo Top Ice Cream Vanilla Bean