Nutrition Score at a Glance
0 - 10
Scale Range
Higher is better
4.4
Average Score
Across all products
4,279
Perfect Scores
Products scoring 10.0
Key Insight: 1.1% of scored products achieve a perfect nutrition score (10.0), while 39.4% score in the bottom tier (0-3.9). The system rewards protein and fiber while penalizing added sugars and excess sodium.
What is the Nutrition Score?
The Nutrition Score is a 0-10 scale that evaluates food products based on their nutritional quality. Higher scores indicate better nutritional value, considering both beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber) and concerning factors (added sugars, excess sodium).
Positive Factors
- Protein content. Strongest boost
- Dietary fiber. Significant boost
- Fermented dairy. Minor boost
Negative Factors
- Added sugars. Strongest penalty
- Trans fat. Strongest penalty
- Excess sodium. Significant penalty
- Saturated fat. Significant penalty
How Products Score Across the Scale
Distribution of nutrition scores across 445K+ products shows most foods cluster in the middle range, with few achieving perfect scores:
Distribution of nutrition scores across the database
Real Product Examples by Score Level
Perfect Scores (10.0)
Products with perfect nutrition scores are typically single ingredients with high nutritional value:
Products with perfect nutrition scores
Excellent Scores (8-9)
Food categories whose products average a score in this band, typically high in protein or fiber:
Categories with excellent nutrition averages
Average Scores (4-6)
Food categories whose products average a score in this band, with both positive and negative factors:
Categories with average nutrition averages
Poor Scores (0-3)
Food categories whose products average a score in this band, dominated by negative nutritional factors:
Categories with poor nutrition averages
Nutrition Flags Explained
A product is flagged for a nutrient when the amount per serving exceeds a standard reference threshold. These flags are descriptive markers rather than health judgments; they simply note when a nutrient appears in a notably high amount:
High Sodium
97,427 products flagged (21.6% of the catalog)
Sodium per serving is above standard daily-intake reference thresholds.
High Sugar
119,514 products flagged (26.5% of the catalog)
Added sugar per serving exceeds common reference limits, such as WHO added-sugar guidance.
High Saturated Fat
128,229 products flagged (28.4% of the catalog)
Saturated fat per serving is above standard dietary reference guidelines.
High Cholesterol
Dietary cholesterol per serving exceeds standard reference amounts.
Tracked for completeness alongside the other nutrient flags.
Average Nutrition Scores by Category
Different food categories show distinct nutritional patterns. Whole foods and minimally processed items typically score highest:
Average nutrition score by category
Category insights: Pantry staples like pasta, rice and beans score highest, while breads and cereals score lower, often because of added sugars and sodium.
Tips for Finding Better Nutrition Scores
Look For
- High Protein Content. Lean meats, legumes, dairy products
- Rich in Fiber. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables
- Single Ingredients. Pure foods without additives
- Fermented Products. Yogurt, kefir, aged cheeses
Watch Out For
- Added Sugars. Check ingredients for syrups, sugars
- Excessive Sodium. >400mg per serving is concerning
- Trans Fats. Partially hydrogenated oils
- High Saturated Fat. >10% of daily value per serving
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Key Takeaways
- Higher is better: Nutrition Scores range 0-10, with 10 being perfect. 1.1% of scored products achieve one.
- Protein and fiber boost scores: These beneficial nutrients are the strongest positive contributors to a product's final score.
- Added sugars and trans fats carry the heaviest penalties: These are the strongest negative contributors to a product's nutrition score.
- Average score is 4.4: most products sit in the middle of the scale, which is what a mixed nutritional profile looks like across a whole food supply.
- Category matters: of the categories below, Pasta & Noodles averages 8.4 and Breakfast Cereal averages 5.4.