# ChatGPT as a Virtual Dietitian: Exploring Its Potential as a Tool for Improving Nutrition Knowledge
## 4 Discussion, Implications, and Limitations  
The unveiling of ChatGPT in November 2022 by OpenAI marked a significant milestone in the field of natural language processing and AI. This momentous event not only highlighted the cutting-edge advancements in AI technology but also set a new standard for the capabilities of language models. With an extraordinary 100 million monthly active users achieved in less than a year, ChatGPT surpassed TikTok as the fastest-growing user base in history. The unparalleled appeal of ChatGPT, stemming from its human-like text generation, user-friendly interface, and vast knowledge base, has led to its rapid adoption by a wide user base [45; 59; 71]. Moreover, its advent has unlocked a multitude of possibilities, spanning from academic research to the practical application of its capabilities across a diverse spectrum of industries. Within the healthcare sector, the emergence of ChatGPT ignited fervent discussions concerning its potential benefits and inherent challenges. It became a subject of significant interest and exploration among researchers from diverse medical specialties, including microbiology [39], nursing [40], parasitology [41], radiology [42], and medicine [43]. Unfortunately, there remains a paucity of literature addressing the utilization of ChatGPT within the field of nutrition and dietetics. This paper aims to contribute to the existing body of research by exploring the potential applications, challenges, and opportunities presented by ChatGPT in this research discipline. Nutrition science occupies a central role in healthcare as it provides essential insights into the intricate interplay between dietary choices and human health. As experts increasingly recognize the importance of technology integration in this discipline, there is a growing need to explore how advancements in AI generative technology can synergize with the insights offered by nutrition science to enhance nutrition knowledge among the general population. Following the initial exploration, it is apparent that there are features of typical nutrition applications that ChatGPT can replicate to varying degrees while also recognizing certain processes that it cannot fully simulate. As an example, ChatGPT excels in its capacity to carry out computations similar to those found in other nutrition applications. It can efficiently calculate various nutritional values, including but not limited to total daily energy expenditure, body mass index, calorie counts, macronutrient compositions, and dietary reference intake information. However, it is important to note that there are features where ChatGPT's performance is partial in comparison to dedicated nutrition apps. While it can provide tips and reminders related to dietary choices and health, it falls short of being able to engage proactively with users in the same manner as specialized nutrition apps do. Furthermore, there are areas where ChatGPT surpasses traditional nutrition applications. For instance, it has the capability to offer dietary advice and guidance, which is often absent in existing nutrition applications due to their limited capacity to comprehend and respond effectively to human language. Overall, the observation that ChatGPT can outperform nutrition applications in certain features, match them in others, and only partially fulfill some functions underscores its potential utility within the nutrition and healthcare landscape. Expectedly, however, it is important to note that ChatGPT, while valuable in this context, cannot entirely replace dedicated nutrition applications. In the context of the NCP, ChatGPT has the capability to assist both dietitians and regular users in various stages. Although, for regular users, it is of utmost importance that expert validation and consultation be sought when making significant dietary decisions. For dietitians, ChatGPT can help as a tool that can streamline their workflow and provide quick access to nutritional information and calculations.