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The FoodHealth Score is a 1–100 nutrition rating, built by the FoodHealth Company, that combines nutrient density and ingredient quality to show how well a food supports long-term health.
Simplifying Smart Food Choices
So how do we measure all of these variables in one number?
Let’s take a closer look using one of our favorite things, protein bars.
88
66
39
210 cals
220 cals
200 cals
Three bars, all with similar calories, but very different health profiles.
What does the FoodHealth Score mean and how does it work?
Though it has a similar calorie count to the other bars, this RX Bar scores much higher because of the nutrient density and ingredient quality of the bar!
Though 210 Calories tells us the energy it gives, an 88 tells us the nutrient density has what our bodies need and the ingredients are higher quality.
Let’s look at the highest scoring bar to explain.
This bar is high in both protein and fiber, and made of whole food ingredients.
NUTRIENT DENSITY
No added sugar.
High in protein.
Higher fiber to carb ratio.
INGREDIENT QUALITY
Whole food ingredients.
Contains healthy fats & oils.
Only naturally occurring
sodium.
88
Now what about the lowest scoring bar?
39
NUTRIENT DENSITY
Higher in saturated fat.
Less protein.
Lower fiber to carb ratio.
INGREDIENT QUALITY
8 grams of added sugars.
Contains corn syrup.
Added salt.
We know the calorie count is nearly the same, but the nutrient density & ingredient quality result in a lower score.
It’s what’s in the food, not just the amount of energy it gives.
This KIND Bar is high in saturated fat, which we want to limit, and contains additive ingredients such as corn syrup and palm kernel oil.
88
210 cals
66
220 cals
39
200 cals
88
210 cals
66
220 cals
39
200 cals
So how do we measure all of these variables in one number?
Let’s take a closer look using one of our favorite things, protein bars.
Let’s look at the highest scoring bar to explain.
Though it has a similar calorie count to the other bars, this RX Bar scores much higher because of the nutrient density and ingredient quality of the bar!
Though 210 Calories tells us the energy it gives, an 88 tells us the nutrient density has what our bodies need and the ingredients are higher quality.
This bar is high in both protein and fiber, and made of whole food ingredients.
NUTRIENT DENSITY
No added sugar.
High in protein.
Higher fiber to carb ratio.
INGREDIENT QUALITY
Whole food ingredients.
Contains healthy fats & oils.
Only naturally occurring
sodium.
88
39
NUTRIENT DENSITY
Higher in saturated fat.
Less protein.
Lower fiber to carb ratio.
INGREDIENT QUALITY
8 grams of added sugars.
Contains corn syrup.
Added salt.
What does the FoodHealth Score mean and how does it work?
Now what about the lowest scoring bar?
We know the calorie count is nearly the same, but the nutrient density & ingredient quality result in a lower score.
It’s what’s in the food, not just the amount of energy it gives.
This KIND Bar is high in saturated fat, which we want to limit, and contains additive ingredients such as corn syrup and palm kernel oil.
Your body’s unique health needs & goals are factored into your FoodHealth Score.
88
Preventing Disease
What if you’re managing
a health condition, not just trying to be healthier?
The FoodHealth Scores you saw above were for a generally healthy person, looking to prevent disease. Take a look below at how the highest scoring bar might be better or worse for individuals managing specific health conditions.
Appropriate fiber intake is even more important when thinking about gut health. This condition considers the fiber to carb ratio more closely.
82
Improving Gut Health
Total carbohydrates are important when managing blood sugar impact. This bar contains a moderate amount of carbs.
78
Managing Pre-Diabetes
Here is the original score
But why does it change?
88
Average “good” cholesterol levels are up:
Cholesterol
+1.65
HDL-C
(mg/dL)
Average BMI goes down by:
Weight
-0.88
(kg/m2)
Average HbA1c levels are reduced by:
Diabetes
-0.02%
Average systolic BP levels are reduced by:
Blood Pressure
-0.33
(mmHg)
WHO CAME UP WITH THE RULES?
Dietitians & Data Scientists
Our in-house nutrition and data experts built a whole new approach to scoring food, backed by evidence-based nutrition science and real-world experience for what actually works.
Don’t just take our word for it.
Your body’s unique health needs & goals are factored into your FoodHealth Score.
88
What if you’re managing a health condition, not just trying to be healthier?
The FoodHealth Scores you saw above were for a generally healthy person, looking to prevent disease. Take a look below at how the highest scoring bar might be better or worse for individuals managing specific health conditions.
Total carbohydrates are important when managing blood sugar impact. This bar contains a moderate amount of carbs.
78
Managing Pre-Diabetes
Appropriate fiber intake is even more important when thinking about gut health. This condition considers the fiber to carb ratio more closely.
82
Improving Gut Health
88
Here is the original score
But why does it change?
88
WHO CAME UP WITH THE RULES?
Dietitians & Data Scientists
Our in-house nutrition and data experts built a whole new approach to scoring food, backed by evidence-based nutrition science and real-world experience for what actually works.
Don’t just take our word for it.
Improving your FoodHealth Score by 10 points leads to...
Average HbA1c levels are reduced by:
Diabetes
Average BMI goes down by:
Weight
-0.02%
-0.88
(kg/m2)
Average “good” cholesterol levels are up:
Cholesterol
Average systolic BP levels are reduced by:
Blood Pressure
+1.65
HDL-C(mg/dL)
-0.33
(mmHg)