HOUSTON — Snack and soda makers that often are blamed for fueling the nation’s obesity rates also play a role in educating the dietitians who advise Americans on healthy eating.

In fact, the food industry hosts several workshops at the annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, where thousands of dietitians can earn education credits to maintain their licenses.

Frito-Lay explains to dietitians how it removed trans fats from its Lay’s potato chips and other snacks. The makers of high fructose corn syrup encourage them to question a study that ties the prevalence of the sweetener derived from corn to higher rates of Type 2 diabetes. And the company famous for its Frosted Flakes cereal teaches about the benefits of fiber.

“Has anyone tried our new chickpea burgers?” asks an employee of Kellogg, which also makes Special K and Morningstar veggie burgers, at the convention in Houston.