Wednesday, October 21, 2009

NuVal Scores Galore


 I've talked about NuVal scores in the past. I put together a huge compilation of NuVal scores which were provided on their website, along with a preface discussing how the NuVal system works. I hope you find it interesting, I sure did!

Question: Does your local grocery store provide NuVal scores? I can't wait for them to come to Oklahoma!



FAQs: How the System Works

Q: How does the NuVal™ Nutritional Scoring System work?
A: The NuVal™ Nutritional Scoring System summarizes the overall nutritional value of food. It uses the Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes (quantitative reference values for recommended intakes of nutrients) and the Dietary Guidelines For Americans (advice from the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, and the Department of Agriculture, USDA, about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases) to quantify the presence of more than 30 nutrients – including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants; sugar, salt, trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. The system also incorporates measures for the quality of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as well as calories and omega-3 fats. The NuVal™ System also takes into account how these nutrients influence health based on broadly accepted, published scientific literature.

Q: How is a NuVal™ Score calculated?
A: The NuVal™ Nutritional Scoring System takes more than 30 different nutrients and nutrition factors into account when developing a Score, making it a very robust food rating system. The nutrient content for a food is processed through a complex algorithm developed through a rigorous process by a team of twelve experts. Boiled down to its simplest description, here is how the NuVal™ Nutritional Scoring System works:
  • Nutrients with generally favorable effects on health are placed in the numerator, where higher values increase the NuVal™ Score.
  • Nutrients with generally unfavorable effects on health are placed in the denominator, where higher values decrease the NuVal™ score.
In addition to the numerator and denominator nutrients, the algorithm takes into account other key factors that measure the quality and density of nutrients, as well as the strength of their association with specific health conditions.

For example, trans fat has a very strong association with heart disease, a highly prevalent and serious condition. Therefore, the algorithm assigns a "weighting coefficient" to trans fat which substantially lowers the Score of foods containing it. Those weighting coefficients are determined by the prevalence, severity, and strength of association with health conditions.

The quality of macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) is another key factor in the overall equation. Fat quality, protein quality, carbohydrate quality, and glycemic load (a measure of carbohydrate quality) are among the "universal adjustors" that can move a NuVal™ Score higher or lower. The higher the quality, the higher the Score.

Foods with higher nutrient density -- a significant amount of vitamins and mineral, but relatively few calories -- also receive extra credit and higher Scores. The greater a food's "trajectory" toward numerator nutrients (generally favorable) and away from denominator nutrients (generally unfavorable), the greater the Score.

Q: What specific nutrients and factors go into a NuVal™ Score?
A: The following nutrients and nutrition factors are used in determining a food’s NuVal™ Score
  • Nutrients considered to have generally favorable effects on health:
    • Fiber
    • Folate
    • Vitamin A
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin D
    • Vitamin E
    • Vitamin B12
    • Vitamin B6
    • Potassium
    • Calcium
    • Zinc
    • Omega-3 fatty acids
    • Total bioflavanoids
    • Total carotenoids
    • Magnesium
    • Iron
  • Nutrients with generally unfavorable effects on health
    • Saturated fat
    • Trans fat
    • Sodium
    • Sugar
    • Cholesterol
  • Additional entries
    • Protein quality
    • Fat quality
    • Glycemic load
    • Energy density
Q: How did you determine what nutrients to use?
A: Nutrients for inclusion in the NuVal™ Nutritional Scoring System were selected based on their established relevance to public health as reported and published by the scientific community. For more detailed information on the inclusion of each nutrient, and a bibliography of sources upon which each decision was based, please contact us at experts@NuVal.com.



Yogurt

NuVal™ Scores for yogurt range from 22 to 99, with a median Score of 28*.

Yogurt Scores vary depending on the amount and type of fat the products contain, as well as the presence of sodium, sugar, calcium, and levels of vitamins A and D. Yogurts with the lowest scores have between 30 to 40 grams of sugar, which is equal to almost 10 teaspoons of sugar, as well as some saturated fat. Yogurts without saturated fat and added sugar tend to score the highest.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Breyers Light Yogurt, Boost Immunity Light Black Cherry Jubilee
99
Lightfull Smoothie, Mango Oasis
91
Dannon Activia Light Fat Free Blueberry
89
Weight Watchers Yogurt, White Chocolate Raspberry
87
Dannon Light 'n Fit Rasberry Yogurt
81
Yoplait Yogurt Light Fat Free Boston Cream Pie
66
Stonyfield Farm Organic Fat Free Black Cherry Fruit on the Bottom
64
Yoplait Light Fat Free Strawberry
60
Yoplait Light Thick & Creamy Peaches 'N Cream
59
Stonyfield Farm O'Soy Strawberry/peach
48
Yoplait Yo-Plus Strawberry Yogurt
40
Yoplait Go-Gurt, Burstin' Melon Berry
39
O Soy Blueberry Yogurt
35
Activia Plain Yogurt
34
Yoplait Trix, Burstin Berry
32
YoCrunch Yogurt, Cookies N Cream Oreo
29
YoCrunch Mild Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt with Chocolate Crunch
25
Dannon Yogurt, Activia Low Fat Mixed Berry
23
Brown Cow Cherry Vanilla Whole Milk Yogurt
23
Dannon Dan Active Probiotic Dairy Drink Immunity Blueberry
22




Bread

NuVal™ Scores for bread range from 2 to 81, with a median Score of approximately 25*.

Bread Scores vary with the content of whole grain, fiber, sugar, salt, and oil. Breads made from just whole grain flour, water, and yeast can earn very high Scores. Highly processed breads – those made from refined flours and with high additions of sugar, salt, and/or harmful fats – will score quite low. What is surprising is how different the NuVal Score can be from what is suggested by the name of a bread – i.e., “whole grain,” “whole wheat,” multi grain,” etc. But that simply reveals that what a bread is called, and what it is made out of, may be two very different things.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Bread
81
Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Flaxseed Bread
56
Arnold By Brownbery Natural Flax And Fiber Bread
48
Pepperidge Farm Natural Whole Grain 9 Grain Bread
40
Weight Watchers 100% Whole Wheat Bread
39
Country Kitchen Light Oatmeal Bread
36
Healthy Choice Hearty 7 Grain Bread
35
Country Kitchen All Natural Whole Grain 100% Whole Wheat Bread
32
Wonder Light White Bread
31
Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Whole Grain White Bread
28
Arnold Whole Grain Classics 100% Whole Wheat Bread
26
Sara Lee Honey Wheat Bread
24
Thomas' Cinnamon Swirl Toasting Bread
23
Wonder Big White Bread
23
J.J. Nissen Butter Top White Bread
19
Sara Lee Classic Dinner Roll 12 Count
16
Lender's Bagel Shop Bagels Cinnamon Raisin Swirl
14
Wonder Cinnamon Raisin Bread
8
Sara Lee Garlic Bread
5
Turano Old Fashion Italian Bread
2


Cereal

NuVal™ Scores for cereal range from 4 to 100, with a median Score of approximately 25*.

The very word “cereal” refers to cereal grains, and the most nutritious breakfast cereals of all contain just that – whole grain, and little or nothing else. At the other end of the spectrum, however, are products still called cereal, but with sugar as the first (and therefore most abundant) ingredient. As a result, the range of NuVal Scores in the cereal aisle is one of the largest in the entire supermarket. Scores in this category will tend to vary with whole grain content and fiber (more is better); and with additions of sugar, salt, and saturated or trans fat (less is better). In some cases, as with toasted rice or corn flake cereals, Scores may be relatively low partly because of what is added (such as sugar and salt), as well as what is taken away (parts of the whole grain).

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Hodgson Mill Unprocessed Wheat Bran (Millers Bran)
100
Post Shredded Wheat Original
91
Kellogg's All-Bran Extra Fiber Natural Wheat Bran High Fiber Cereal
76
Kellogg's Special K Protein Plus
60
Kashi Golean High Protein & High Fiber Cereal
47
General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch with 75% reduced sugar
40
General Mills Whole Grain Guaranteed Cheerios
34
Post Shredded Wheat Frosted
31
Kellogg's All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes
31
Post Honey Bunches Of Oats Cereal With Almonds
29
Kashi 7 Whole Grain Flakes
29
General Mills Whole Grain Guaranteed Total Raisin Bran
27
Quaker Life Cereal
25
Kellogg's Corn Flakes The Original & Best
25
Kellogg's Rice Krispies Toasted Rice Cereal
23
General Mills Whole Grain Guaranteed Basic 4
23
General Mills Whole Grain Garanteed Lucky Charms
23
Kashi Strawberry Fields
11
Cap'n Crunch Sweetened Corn & Oat Cereal
10
Peace Cereal Organic Low Fat Mango Passion Crisp Cereal
4
Cookies

NuVal™ Scores for cookies range from 1 to 40, with a median Score of approximately 3*.

Look at the range of NuVal Scores in the cookie aisle and you’ll see that while you may choose cookies just because you love them, you can still “trade up” to more nutritious options. Higher Scores in this category identify cookies with less sugar, less salt, less or no harmful oils, more fiber from whole grains, and vitamins and minerals from fruits and nuts. There is good nutrition for you even in the cookie aisle - and NuVal Scores make it easy for you find it.



PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Kashi Tlc Tasty Little Chewy Cookies Oatmeal Raisin Flax
40
Health Valley Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
34
Kraft South Beach Diet Peanut Butter Cookies Snack Pack
34
Nabisco Mini Teddy Grahams Honey Graham Snak-Saks
24
Pepperidge Farm Soft Baked Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
20
Keebler Chocolate Lovers Chips Deluxe Chocolate Chip Cookies
17
Nabisco Chips Ahoy Chunky White Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookies
17
Nabisco Fig Newtons Fat Free
13
Keebler Chips Deluxe Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
12
Nabisco Snackwells Crème Sandwich Cookies
12
Nabisco Teddy Grahams Chocolatey Chip
12
Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies With Pecans
10
Nabisco Nilla Wafers
8
Nabisco Oreo Double Stuf Cool Mint Crème
5
Nabisco Nutter Butter Big & Soft Cookies
4
Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs Alpha-Bits Cookies Mini Cookies
3
Pepperidge Farm Milano Oookies
3
Nabisco Chips Ahoy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
2
Archway Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Family Pack
1
Salerno Butter Cookies
1


Eggs and Egg Products

NuVal™ Scores for eggs and egg products range from 26 to 67, with a median Score of approximately 33*.

Eggs are a perfect protein source and provide many nutrients, but at a high cost in dietary cholesterol, which we are told to limit by the Dietary Guidelines, the DRIs, and all other sources of expert guidance. Some egg producers use a feeding process that can change the nutrient profile of the egg and – assuming they provide the data to support this – it may result in higher NuVal Scores for particular eggs in the future.

Egg substitutes that score higher than eggs do so because they retain many of the favorable nutrients in eggs – particularly the high quality protein – while eliminating their principal nutritional liability, cholesterol.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Papetti Foods Better'n Eggs Healthier Real Egg Product
67
Egg Beaters Egg Substitute Original
58
Papetti Foods Better'n Eggs Real Egg Product
53
Egg Beaters Egg Substitute Garden Vegetable
52
Egg Beaters Egg Substitute Southwestern
51
Eggs, Brown All Sizes
33
Eggs, White All Sizes
33
Land O Lakes All Natural Farm Fresh Grade A Brown Eggs
33
Land O Lakes Omega 3 Eggs, All Natural Large Grade A Brown
33
Egg Beaters Egg Substitute With Yolk
31
Egg Beaters 100% Liquid Egg Whites
26
Papetti Foods All Whites 100% Luquid Egg Whites
26











Frozen Vegetables

NuVal™ Scores for frozen vegetables range from 22 to 100, with a median Score of 91*.

Many frozen vegetables have no additives, so their Scores are the same or similar to those of fresh vegetables, varying with the concentration of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. However, frozen vegetables with added salt and salt-heavy seasonings, as well as those with fat- and salt-laden sauces, will have lower Scores. Hence, the wide range of Scores for frozen vegetables.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Birds Eye Frozen Chopped Spinach Box
100
Birds Eye Frozen Tender Broccoli Cuts Plastic Bag
100
Green Giant Frozen Cut Green Bean Steamable Bag
100
Green Giant Select Frozen Sugar Snap Peas Plastic Bag
96
La Choy Frozen Snow Pea Pods Box
96
Birds Eye Frozen Cooked Winter Squash Box
91
Green Giant Frozen Mixed Vegetables (Corn, Carrots, Peas, Green Beans) Steamable Bag
87
Green Giant Simply Steam Frozen Broccoli And Carrots With Sauce
82
Green Giant Frozen Sweet Baby Peas No Sauce Steamable Bag
71
Green Giant Frozen Spinach No Sauce Box
67
Birds Eye Steamfresh Frozen Asian Medley
62
Birds Eye Steamfresh Frozen Specially Seasoned Garlic Baby Peas & Mushrooms
47
Green Giant Frozen Cauliflower & Three Cheese Sauce Plastic Bag
42
Green Giant Frozen Creamed Spinach In Low-Fat Sauce Box
34
Green Giant Health Blends Healthy Weight Frozen Blended Vegetables Box
33
Green Giant Frozen Sweet Baby Peas And Low-Fat Butter Sauce Box 10oz
30
Birds Eye Steam And Serve Frozen Asian Vegetables With Roasted Cashews
29
Birds Eye Deluxe Frozen Artichoke Hearts Box
28
Green Giant Frozen Green Bean Casserole Box
23
Birds Eye Carrots and Cranberries
22


Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt

Sample scores for Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt are as follows:

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Breyers Extra Creamy vanilla Ice Cream
45
Blue Bunny Reduced Fat Double Strawberry Ice Cream (No Sugar Added)
39
Edy s Slow Churned All Natural Vanilla Flavor Rich & Creamy Light Ice Cream (No Sugar Added)
34
Haagen-Dazs Black Walnut All Natural Ice Cream
24
Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
24
Blue Bunny Cheesecake Fat Free Frozen Yogurt with Strawberry
23
Haagen Dazs Rum Raisin Ice Cream
23
Edy's All Natural Vanilla Flavor Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Light Ice Cream
22
Breyers Natural Butter Pecan Ice Cream
22
Ben & Jerry s Cherry Garcia Cherry Ice Cream
21
Haagen Dazs Low Fat Frozen Yogurt Vanilla Raspberry Swirl
20
Ben & Jerry s Dublin Mudslide Irish Cream Liqueur Ice Cream
19
Kemps Black Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream
18
Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream with Fudge Twirl
18
Starbucks Coffee Java Chip Ice Cream
16
Ben & Jerry s Cherry Garcia Cherry Low Fat Frozen Yogurt
15
Deans Healthy Delight Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
14
Edy's Rich and Creamy Grand Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
8
Edy s Mint Chocolate Chip Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Light Ice Cream
5
Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream with Snickers
3
Haagen Dazs Fat Free Strawberry Sorbet
1







Milk

NuVal™ Scores for milk range from 12 to 100, with a median Score of approximately 54*.

Scores in the milk category vary primarily with saturated fat content. Other factors that strongly influence the Scores for milk products include added sugar and salt, and the concentrations of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D. Non-dairy and lactose-free beverages usually have the same influencers as regular milk, however, they may also contain fiber, which can influence the Score. Lactose, itself, is not a differentiating nutritional factor.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Deans Fat Free Skim Milk
91
Garelick Farms Over The Moon Fat Free Milk
91
Horizon Organic Fat Free Skim Milk
91
Silk Light Soy Milk Plain
82
Garelick Farms 1% Milkfat Milk
78
Organic Valley 1% Milkfat Milk
78
Silk Soy Milk Chocolate
68
Silk Light Soy Milk Chocolate
56
Horizon Organic 2% Milkfat Milk
55
Dean's Whole Milk
50
Garelick Farms Whole Milk
50
Heartland Creamery Plain Goat's Milk
38
Horizon Organic 1% Milkfat Chocolate Milk
36
Hood Simply Smart Chocolate Milk Fat Free
33
Nestle Nesquik Chocolate Fat Free Milk
31
Anderson Erickson Chocolate Milk 2% Milkfat
24
Organic Valley Chocolate Milk 2% Milkfat
24
Nestle Nesquik Strawberry Milk Reduced Fat 2% Milkfat
23
Chug Milk Shake Cookies ‘N Cream
14
Chug Milk Shake Vanilla
12




rozen Pizza

NuVal™ Scores for frozen pizza range from 2 to 25, with a median Score of approximately 11.

Nearly all frozen pizza options contain saturated fat, which impacts their scores. Sodium can also be a factor, with some brands having as much as 1,400mg per serving. Scores can rise when the product uses a whole grain crust (which raises the fiber) and real cheese, which raises the score because of the added calcium. Pizzas that use partially hydrogenated oils, a source of trans fat, tend to have scores at the bottom of the NuVal scale.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
South Beach Living Pepperoni Pizza with Harvest Wheat Crust
25
Kashi All Natural Margarita with Tomato Garlic Cheese Thin Crust
23
McCain Ellio's Cheese Pizza
23
Piggly Wiggly Three Meat Frozen Pizza
23
Di Giorno Rising Crust Pizza with Spinach, Mushroom and Garlic
20
WeightWatchers Smart Ones Stone Fired Crust Pepperoni Pizza
15
McCain Ellio's Pepperoni Pizza
12
Tombstone Brick Oven Style Pepperoni Pizza
9
Stouffer's French Bread Pizza with Sausage, Pepperoni & Bacon
8
Stouffer's Lean Cuisine Deep Dish Spinach & Mushroom Pizza
7
DiGiorno For One Traditional Crust
6
Celeste Original Pizza
4
Freschetta Pizzamore Presliced Pepperoni Duo Pizza
4
Totinos Crisp Crust Party Pizza Classic Pepperoni
2













Seafood

NuVal™ Scores for seafood range from 36 to 89, with a median Score of approximately 81*.

Like meat and poultry, seafood is a source of neatly perfect protein. But unlike most other meats, fish tends to be low in saturated fat, and is often a concentrated source of fish oil, which is rich in health-promoting omega-3 fats. Because omega-3 fats are so important for health, they get a lot of credit in the calculation of NuVal™ Scores. For this reason, the fish that are richest in omega-3 fats, such as salmon, get very high scores. Fish and seafood with lesser amounts of omega-3 and higher concentrations of sodium get lower scores. Hence the Score of 36 for lobster, which is fairly high in sodium and, by and large, lacking in omega-3 fats.

Product
Score
Whitefish
89
Sardines (fresh)
88
Atlantic Salmon Fillet
87
Atlantic Halibut Fillet
82
Catfish Fillet
82
Cod Fillet
82
Grouper
82
Sea Bass
82
Tuna, Ahi
82
Oysters
81
Swordfish Steak
81
Prawns
75
Shrimp
75
Clams
71
Mussels
71
Haddock
64
Crab (Alaskan King, Blue, Dungeness, & Snow)
57
Bay Scallops
51
Turbot Fillet
51
Lobster
36


Shortening/Oils

NuVal™ Scores for shortening/oils range from 2 to 34, with a median Score of 11*.

Those products with the highest NuVal scores are also the best source of omega-3 fatty acids. Conversely, oils with the lowest NuVal scores tend to have the lowest amounts of omega-3s in this category. As the NuVal scores show, liquid oils are often a better choice than butter, margarine and other solid shortenings.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Benissimo Basil Tomato Olive Oil
34
International Collection Walnut Oil
27
Benissimo Roasted Garlic Oil
24
Sunera Canola Oil
24
Botticelli Chef Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Canola Oil Blend
23
Colavita Canola and Oli ve Oil
23
Olivado Olive Oil Gold Avocado
20
Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil
16
Wesson Pure Vegetable Oil
16
Bella Pure Olive Oil
11
Kalamata Gold Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
11
Pampa Extra Virgin Olive Oil
11
Spectru Unrefined Olive Oil
11
Star Extra Light Olive Oil
11
Kusha Grapeola Grape Seed Oil
10
International Collection Sesame Oil
8
Crisco Natural Blend Oil
7
Hollywood Safflower Oil
4
Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening
3
Planters 100% Peanut Oil
2





Snack/Granola Bars

NuVal™ Scores for snack/granola bars range from 1 to 42, with a median Score of 14*.

Snack and granola bar Scores vary with the content of sugar, fiber, and sodium. They also vary by the type of fat they contain; products with mono- and polyunsaturated fats tend to score higher, while those with saturated and trans fats receive lower NuVal Scores. Finding nutritious choices in this category can be more difficult, given the complexity of flavors and added ingredients commonly found. Using NuVal scores can reassure consumers that they will have the information to make an educated buying decision when it comes to nutrition.


PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Glutino Gluten Free Breakfast Bars - Blueberry
40
Fiber One Chewy Bars Oats & Strawberries With Almonds
32
Kashi, TLC, (Tasty Little Cereal Bars) - Blackberry Graham
31
Curves Chewy Granola Bars - Chocolate Peanut
29
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars - Chocolate Chip
26
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars - Pecan Crunch
25
Nutri-Grain Cereal Bar - Mixed Berry
24
Health Valley Apple Cobbler Cereal Bars
24
Quaker Breakfast Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
20
Quaker Muffin Bars - Baked Banana
19
Kelloggs Granola Bars - Crunchy Nut Sweet and Salty
16
Quaker Breakfast Cookies - Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
13
Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Granola Bars - Variety Pack
11
Kudos Milk Chocolate Granola Bars
9
Sunbelt Granola Bars, - Chewy Graham & Chocolate
8
Kudos Milk Chocolate Granola Bars with Snickers Chunks
6
Nature Valley Granola Bars - Sweet & Salty Nut Cashew
5
General Mills Reeses Sweet and Salty Granola Bars
4
Kellogs Special K Cereal Bars - Vanilla Crisp
2
Little Debbie Apple Flips
1


Cheese - Processed and Natural

Saturated fat has a significant impact on cheese scores, with some products having as much as half of their calories coming from saturated fat. If a product is low fat, reduced fat or fat free, they tend to score higher because some or all of the saturated fat has been removed. The presence of sodium and calcium can also impact scores (calcium positively, sodium negatively).

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Galaxy Nutritional Foods Veggies Slices Cheddar Flavor
82
Weight Watchers Singles Process Cheese Product American
31
Laughing Cow Gourmet Cheese Bites Light Creamy Swiss Original
29
President Fat Free Feta
28
Kraft Fat Free, Natural Shredded Cheddar Cheese
27
Kraft Singles 2% American Cheese Slices
26
Kraft Singles White American
25
Cabot Cheddar 50% reduced fat
23
Cabot Vermont Cheddar Chunk
22
Kraft 100% Real Parmesan Three Cheese Blend Shaker
20
Wispsride Cheese Ball
20
Kraft Cheddar Cheese Chunk
19
Sorrento Mozzarella Cheese Chunk
19
Land O Lakes American Cheese Slices
18
Kraft Velveta Cheese Slices
17
Saga Blue Cheese Wedge
15
Chevrion Goat Cheese
14
Swissrose Lichester Stilton Cheese Wedge
13
4C Shredded and Grated Parmesan Romano Shelf Stable
12
Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Style Grated Topping Shelf Stable
11
TOFUTTI American Soy Slices
3






Crackers

NuVal™ Scores for crackers range from 2 to 87, with a median Score of approximately 14*.

You’ll see an incredible range of Scores in the cracker aisle which indicates that some crackers are very nutritious and others much less so. And while the names and claims about “reduced fat” or “low sodium” may not reliably tell you which is the more nutritious choice, the NuVal Score - which factors in all aspects of nutritional quality - will. Higher Scores here mean more whole grain and fiber, less salt, less sugar, and less harmful saturated and/or trans fats.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Ryvita Rye & Oat Bran All Natural Crispbread
87
Kelloggs All-Bran Crackers Garlic Herb
35
Kashi Tlc Party Crackers Mediterranean Bruschetta
30
Annie’s Homegrown Whole Wheat Bunnies
27
Keebler Club Crackers Original
27
Keebler Club Crackers Reduced Fat
25
Nabisco Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
25
Nabisco Wheat Thins Reduced Fat
24
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar
24
Blue Diamond Almond Nut-Thins Nut & Rice Cracker Thins
23
Sunshine Cheez It Reduced Fat
23
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Pretzel
20
Back To Nature Cinnamon Graham Sticks
15
Keebler Townhouse Flipsides Pretzel Crackers Original
14
Nabisco Cheese Nips Reduced Fat Cheddar
9
Nabisco Honey Maid Mini Smores Graham Sandwich Crackers
9
Nabisco Ritz Bits Cheese Sandwich Crackers
7
Austin Peanut Butter Sandwich Cracker S
4
Sunshine Cheez It Stix White Cheddar
4
Keebler Townhouse Bistro Multigrain Crackers
2




Fruits and Vegetables

NuVal™ Scores for fruits and vegetables range from 24 to 100, with a median Score of 100*.

Many of the most nutritious items in the supermarket are found in the produce aisle. While vegetables and fruits tend to score very high on the range of NuVal Scores, they don’t all score exactly the same. Scores vary in the produce category based on the concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber in particular. Those at the very top of the range are very highly concentrated in many nutrients and low in calories. The lower scoring produce items are less packed with nutrients (as in the case of iceberg lettuce) or higher in calories (as in the case of passion fruit).

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Apricots
100
Blueberries
100
Broccoli
100
Kiwi
100
Lettuce (Green Leaf, Red Leaf & Romaine)
100
Orange
100
Grapefruit
99
Pineapple
99
Sweet Potatoes
96
Tomatoes
96
Cucumber
93
Mango
93
Bananas
91
Corn
91
Grapes
91
Pomegranate
91
Avocado
86
Iceberg Lettuce
82
Passion Fruit
78
Coconut
24


Meats and Poultry
NuVal™ Scores for meat and poultry range from 24 to 53, with a median Score of 28*.

Meat and poultry scores tend to vary based on the content of saturated fat and sodium in particular; when these are more concentrated in a product, the NuVal™ Score will tend to be lower. Processed meats with added sodium will also tend to score lower. The saturated fat content of poultry varies between white and dark meat.

Remember that while lean meat may be a very important part of a balanced diet, it will never score as high as most vegetables. That is because the NuVal System measures the ratio of nutrients to calories, and meats are generally a much more concentrated source of calories than fresh produce. So don’t look for a NuVal Score of 100 in this category; instead, just compare meat Scores to one another to find the items that are the most nutritious in this category.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Lamb Kidney
53
Alligator
51
Turkey Breast (skinless)
48
Venison
41
Chicken Breast (boneless)
39
Rabbit
39
Pork Tenderloin
35
Flank Steak (Beef)
34
Turkey Breast
31
Beef Tenderloin
30
Ground Sirloin (Beef – 90/10)
30
Pork Chop (boneless center cut)
28
Chicken Wings
28
Lamb Chops (loin)
28
Leg of Lamb
28
Bison or Buffalo (ground meat)
27
Ham (whole)
27
Ground Chuck (Beef – 80/20)
26
Pork Ribs, Country Style
25
Pork Baby Back Ribs
24
Pasta

NuVal™ Scores for pasta range from 11 to 91, with a median Score of approximately 52*.

The NuVal Scores for pasta show you that so-called “carbs” can be your friends nutritionally if you know which ones to choose. Whole grain pastas made from a few simple ingredients are rich in fiber and nutrients and have just about no harmful nutritional baggage. Even their glycemic load is low. Lower scoring pastas are made from refined rather than whole grains, or have added ingredients that drive up calories, cholesterol, and salt content.

PRODUCT
NuVal SCORE
Barilla Plus Pasta Spaghetti Multi Grain
91
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Extra Wide Noodle
91
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Fusilli
91
Barilla Pasta Penne Whole Grain
89
De Boles Thin Corn Spaghetti
87
No Yolk Egg Noodles Broad Cholesterol Free
82
Tinkyada Vegetable Spirals Brown Rice Pasta
81
Bionaturae Spaghetti Gluten Free
77
Racconto Tri-Color Rotini
75
Barilla Pasta Lasagne Wavy
64
Barilla Pasta Rotini
61
Creamette Pasta Spaghetti
57
Martha Gooch Regular Macaroni Elbows
56
Martha Gooch Regular Spaghetti Long
56
Harringtons Egg Noodles Regular Cut Ribbon
53
Tinkyada Spirals Brown Rice Pasta
44
Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Pasta Wide Egg Noodles
32
Creamette Egg Noodle Wide
23
Martha Gooch Egg Kluski Noodles Regular Cut
13
Amish Kitchens Kluski Noodles Extra Thick Ribbon
11




Salty Snacks

NuVal™ Scores for salty snacks range from 1 to 52, with a median Score of approximately 17*.

Salty snacks are, for the most part, made from grains (such as corn) or vegetables (such as potatoes). There are exceptions, such as pork rinds. The highest scoring items in this category are made from whole grains, and little else, providing fiber and relatively little salt. In fact, many items in the salty snack category are actually less salty than a healthy diet should be on average. This is because when a product has very few ingredients, the taste of each one comes through very clearly, and less salt is needed. In addition to high fiber and low salt, other factors leading to high Scores in this category include: the use of healthful, unsaturated oils such as canola oil; the absence of harmful oils; the addition of nutritious seeds, such as sesame seeds; and relatively fewer calories. Low Scores will tend to mean little or no fiber, more salt, high calorie content.

Product
Score
Garden Of Eatin No Salt Blue Tortilla Chips Made With Organic Blue Corn
52
Snyder's Of Hanover Tortilla Chips Restaurant Style
38
Cape Cod Potato Chips 40% Reduced Fat
32
Tostitos Light Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips
28
Snyder's Of Hanover Pretzel Sticks Honey Wheat Pretzel
27
Lay's Baked Potato Crisps Original
25
Doritos Tortilla Chips Cool Ranch
23
Lay's Baked Potato Crisps Cheddar & Sour Cream
23
Lay's Potato Chips Classic
23
Sunshine Cheez-It Party Mix
20
Fritos Corn Chips Original
16
Cheetos Puffs
14
Rold Gold Pretzels Rods
14
Chex Snack Mix Traditional
13
Lays Stax Original Potato Crisps
10
Pringles Potato Crisp Reduced Fat Original
9
Cheetos Crunchy
5
Utz Potato Chips Barbecue
4
Kitchen Cooked Potato Chips Regular
3
Glutino Pretzel Twists Gluten Free
1




13 comments:

  1. I live in a NuVal town! My grocery store, Hy-Vee has the NuVal scoring system. I'm so lucky. This scoring system has really changed the way I shop and has opened my eyes to new products that I never would have tried before.

    ReplyDelete
  2. NuVal is currently in Price Chopper, Meijer and Hy-Vee supermarkets. Soon, it will be in United Markets in Texas. I work for NuVal and I get to see lots of scores. It has changed the way I shop for my family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Do you know the scores for ranch dressing?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.

    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this short
    article together. I once again find myself personally
    spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments.

    But so what, it was still worth it!
    Feel free to surf my web-site diets that work

    ReplyDelete
  5. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this short article together.
    I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading
    and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
    my page: diets that work

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Things are very open and intensely clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very beneficial

    Bone Broth

    ReplyDelete
  8. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    _______________________
    Weight Loss Rio Rancho NM

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ahaa, its nice conversation on the topic of this post at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
    Marine services companies Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is really an enchanting video said inside this article in regards to how to make a post, so i got clear thought from here.
    General Medicine New York City

    ReplyDelete
  11. My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be really appreciated!
    cbd öl kaufen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Existing without the reactions to the inconveniences you've sorted out through this assistant is an essential case, and also the kind which could have genuinely affected my entire occupation if I had not discovered your site.Omzetbelasting zzp

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your extraordinary learning and liberality in playing with each one of the pieces was to a great degree accommodating. I don't understand what I would have done if I had not experienced such a phase thusly.Boekhouden zzp

    ReplyDelete