Thank you for sharing the scores with us. The main problem I have with proprietary systems like NuVal is that they train consumers to depend on them instead of themselves. Since (correct me if I’m wrong) NuVal gets its money from people selling food it is in it’s best interest to sell food. I’m glad to see in this case you mark unhealthy things as unhealthy however I prefer to flip a box around and make the choice myself. There is no way to know if your algorithm matches what I consider healthy since last I checked you do not share what it is. If the algorithm was out in the open so people could see the exact choices you are making for them. Then I would be able to evaluate and decide if it was a good system.

However in general I think consumers are smart people and once educated on how to read a label they do not need someone to simplify it to a rating system.

Thank you,
Rose

One of your readers, Renee, mentioned NuVal, so I thought I’d jump in and provide the NuVal scores on the products you mention. Horizon organic low fat milk CHOCOLATE scores a 30, Quaker instant oatmeal apples and cinnamon scores a 25, and Annie’s Homegrown tropical treat scores a 1. NuVal scores factor in both nutrients that positively (think fiber and calcium) and negatively (think saturated fat and added sugar) impact health, the level of the nutrients in a food compared to a 2,000 calorie “healthy” diet, the quality of the macronutrients, and the relationship of each nutrient to disease risk. NuVal scores range from 1-100, the higher the score the better the nutrition. The Annie’s example showcases the power of NuVal. More than have the calories come from sugar, and there is little postive nutrition in the product (vitamin C is the only positive). NuVal scores can be found on grocery store shelves at Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Meijer, United SuperMarkets, and Kroger stores in Lexington, KY.

If you have any questions on NuVal, just let me know.

Annette Maggi, MS, RD, LD, FADA
Sr. Director of Nutrition
NuVal LLc

She also talks a bit about a food’s NuVal score – have you heard about this? http://www.nuval.com/ (Their tag line is Nutrition Made Easy.) If you haven’t heard of it I figured you might be interested. Not exactly grocery store math, but at least someone else has done the math for us!

I’d be curious to see the NuVal score comparisons of the foods you’ve discussed. Maybe I’ll look them up when I don’t have a Jonah screaching at me from his high chair.