Understanding Food Grade: Your Simple Guide to Healthier Choices

Navigating the grocery store aisles and deciphering nutrition labels can feel overwhelming. MyNetDiary simplifies healthy eating with a handy tool called Food Grade. Instead of spending precious time comparing complex nutrition facts panels, Food Grade assigns an easy-to-understand letter grade, from A to D, to help you quickly assess the healthfulness of similar food products.

This article will delve into the scoring system behind Food Grade, explain how it’s calculated, and discuss its benefits and limitations to empower you in making informed food choices.

Decoding Food Grade and its Calculation

Food Grade is essentially a report card for food. MyNetDiary uses a letter grade system (A, B, C, or D) to rank the nutritional value of different foods. This grade is derived from a “food score,” which is calculated using a specific formula and then translated into the letter grade.

The food score typically ranges from -5 (less healthy) to +5 (more healthy) based on the standard serving sizes listed on Nutrition Facts labels. For those interested in the nitty-gritty details, the Appendix at the end of this article provides a more comprehensive explanation of the food score and its calculation.

Our Food Grade system is thoughtfully designed, taking into account 12 key nutrients, most of which are readily found on standard Nutrition Facts panels:

Total Fat
Saturated Fat
Cholesterol
Sodium
Total Carbohydrate
Fiber
Sugar
Protein
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Calcium
Iron

Finding Food Grade in MyNetDiary

Locating Food Grade in the MyNetDiary app is straightforward. It’s conveniently placed in the upper right-hand corner of the Nutrition Facts Panel when you view a food item within the app.

Note: Food Grade is automatically activated when you start using the MyNetDiary app. If you prefer to hide it, you can easily disable the Food Grade display in the “App Settings” menu.

Nutrient Impact on Food Grade: Positive and Negative Influences

It’s important to understand that not all nutrients carry equal weight in the Food Grade calculation. Some nutrients positively contribute to a higher grade, while others can negatively impact it.

Nutrients that Boost Your Food Grade (Positive Impact)

Fiber: Essential for digestion and overall health.
Protein: Crucial for building and repairing tissues.
Vitamin A: Important for vision, immune function, and cell growth.
Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system.
Calcium: Vital for strong bones and teeth.
Iron: Necessary for carrying oxygen in the blood.

Nutrients that Can Lower Your Food Grade (Negative Impact)*

Saturated Fat: High intake is linked to heart health issues.
Total Fat: While essential, excessive amounts can be detrimental.
Cholesterol: High dietary cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels for some individuals.
Sodium: High sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure.
Total Carbohydrates: Focus is on the quality of carbs, and excessive refined carbs can be less healthy.
Sugars: Added sugars contribute empty calories and can negatively impact health.

Foods higher in these nutrients tend to have a negative influence on the Food Grade. For example, consider these spaghetti options:

Item	Serving Size	Food Score	Food Grade (Estimated)
SpaghettiOs spaghetti in tomato sauce	1 cup	-1	C+
Spaghetti cooked, enriched, without salt	1 cup	2	A
Spaghetti, whole wheat, cooked	1 cup	4	A

The Food Grade system simplifies the numerical food score into letter grades, making it easier for users to quickly interpret nutritional value. The conversion between the food score and Food Grade is designed for intuitive understanding: higher positive scores equate to better Food Grades, and negative scores result in lower grades.

Food Grade	Food Score
A	≥ 1.5
A-	1
B+	0.5
B	0
B-	-0.5
C+	-1
C	-1.5
C-	-2
D+	-2.5
D	≤ -3

Serving Size Considerations

It’s crucial to remember that serving size plays a direct role in the Food Grade. If you adjust the serving size in MyNetDiary, the Food Grade will recalculate accordingly. A larger serving size will generally lead to a proportionally higher or lower score depending on the nutrient profile per serving.

Maximizing Food Grade for Healthier Eating

Using Food Grade for Comparison, Not Judgment

The best way to utilize Food Grade is as a comparative tool within food categories. Instead of judging a food solely on its letter grade, use it to compare similar products and choose the options with higher grades.

Aiming for foods and beverages with better Food Grades generally aligns with broader dietary recommendations for improved health. By prioritizing higher Food Grades, you are more likely to select foods that are:

Lower in saturated fat, total fat, total carbohydrates, sugar, cholesterol, and sodium.
Higher in fiber, protein, calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.

Tailoring Food Grade to Specific Dietary Needs: Low-Carb and Keto

MyNetDiary understands that dietary needs vary. For those following specific dietary approaches like low-carb or ketogenic diets, standard Food Grade might not be perfectly aligned. That’s why MyNetDiary offers specialized Low-Carb Food Grade and Keto Food Grade systems to help you make healthier choices within these dietary frameworks.

When you select Keto or Low-Carb as a Premium diet in MyNetDiary, the app automatically activates the corresponding Food Grade system, ensuring the grades are relevant to your chosen eating plan.

Understanding the Limitations of Food Grade

While Food Grade is a valuable tool, it’s essential to be aware of its limitations:

Outdated Scoring System: The underlying food scoring system was developed in 2009 and hasn’t been updated to reflect the most current dietary guidelines. For example, cholesterol is still penalized even though current guidelines don’t set a strict cholesterol limit.
Healthy Fats Can Score Low: Naturally fatty but healthy foods like olive oil may receive lower Food Grades simply due to their high fat content, despite their health benefits.
Limited Applicability: Food Grade is primarily designed for packaged foods with complete Nutrition Facts panels and may not be available for restaurant foods or packaged foods from other countries with different labeling standards.
Nutrient Label Updates: The 2020 Nutrition Facts Label changes mean Vitamin A and C are no longer mandatory on labels, yet they are still factored into Food Grade. Conversely, newly required nutrients like Vitamin D and potassium are not included in the Food Grade calculation.
Doesn’t Capture All Nutrients: Food Grade focuses on the 12 key nutrients listed. It doesn’t account for other beneficial components like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, or polyphenols. If you believe a food is nutritious despite a lower Food Grade, use your own judgment.
Calories Not Included: Food Grade is solely based on nutrient profile and doesn’t incorporate calorie content. For users focused on weight management, it’s crucial to consider calories alongside Food Grade to make informed choices.

Ultimately, Food Grade is a helpful guide, but healthy eating is multifaceted. Always consider your individual health goals, dietary needs, and preferences. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice that goes beyond simplified scoring systems.

Appendix: Food Score Methodology

The food score methodology was initially published in the June 2009 issue of The Journal of the American Dietetic Association in an article titled “Modeling Expert Opinions on Food Healthfulness: A Nutrition Metric” by Jolie M. Martin, MBA, PhD; John Beshears, AM; Katherine L. Milkman; Max H. Bazerman, PhD; Lisa A. Sutherland, PhD. MyNetDiary utilizes this methodology with permission. You can access the full research article for in-depth information about the food score’s development and rationale.