Quick Shopping Reference
Your printable and mobile-friendly cheat sheet for making better food choices in-store using our Two-Score System across 1.9M+ products.
🛒 5 min read•📱 Mobile Optimized•🖨️ Print-Friendly
📊 Score Quick Reference
Processing Score (Lower = Better)
1.0 - 2.5: Minimally Processed15.7% of products
2.6 - 5.0: Processed27.9% of products
5.1 - 8.0: Highly Processed25.4% of products
8.0+: Ultra-Processed31.0% of products
Target: Keep most purchases under 5.0
Nutrition Score (Higher = Better)
8.0 - 10: ExcellentHigh protein/fiber
6.0 - 7.9: GoodWell-balanced
4.0 - 5.9: FairSome concerns
0.0 - 3.9: PoorHigh sugar/sodium
Target: Aim for 5.0 or higher when possible
Database averages: Processing Score: 7.2 • Nutrition Score: 4.8 •Your goal: Beat these averages with your choices!
🚦 Category Traffic Light System
🟢 Green Light (Shop Often)
VegetablesPS: 2.6
FruitsPS: 3.9
DairyPS: 4.7
Focus here for your daily essentials
🟡 Yellow Light (Choose Carefully)
Fresh MeatPS: 5.5
CerealsPS: 7.2
BeveragesPS: 7.7
Read labels and compare brands
🔴 Red Light (Limit/Avoid)
SnacksPS: 7.8
Frozen FoodsPS: 8.5
Breads & BakeryPS: 8.9
Occasional treats only
🏆 Best Brands At-a-Glance
🌱 Lowest Processing Scores
Prairie Fresh Natural
467 products
1.0
Minimal
Processing
5.9
Good
Nutrition
Montebello
83 products
1.0
Minimal
Processing
9.1
Excellent
Nutrition
Local Hive
186 products
1.0
Minimal
Processing
5.0
Good
Nutrition
Crispy Green
91 products
1.0
Minimal
Processing
7.9
Excellent
Nutrition
Seaboard Foods
197 products
1.1
Minimal
Processing
5.1
Good
Nutrition
💪 Highest Nutrition Scores
Tolerant
79 products
1.8
Minimal
Processing
9.8
Excellent
Nutrition
Pines
50 products
1.7
Minimal
Processing
9.8
Excellent
Nutrition
Al Dente
57 products
4.5
Processed
Processing
9.7
Excellent
Nutrition
Jack Rabbit
61 products
1.5
Minimal
Processing
9.6
Excellent
Nutrition
Explore Cuisine
86 products
1.9
Minimal
Processing
9.5
Excellent
Nutrition
🚨 Ingredient Red Flags
⚠️ Avoid These Ingredients
High Fructose Corn Syrup132K products
Artificial Flavors298K products
Artificial ColorsRed #40, Blue #1, etc.
Sodium Nitrite/NitrateProcessed meats
Trans FatsHydrogenated oils
⚡ Nutrition Alerts
High Sodium Products433K flagged
High Sugar Products206K flagged
Sodium >600mg/servingDaily limit: 2,300mg
Added Sugars >6gDaily limit: 50g
Saturated Fat >5gDaily limit: 20g
🔄 Easy Product Swaps
| Instead of... | Try... | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Regular pasta | Tolerant or Explore Cuisine | Higher protein, lower processing |
| Sugary cereals | Steel-cut oats or quinoa flakes | More fiber, less sugar |
| Processed lunch meat | Prairie Fresh Natural meats | No nitrates, cleaner ingredients |
| Flavored yogurt | Plain Greek yogurt + fresh fruit | Higher protein, control sugar |
| Vegetable oils | Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil | Better fat profile, less processed |
| Store-bought salad dressing | Olive oil + vinegar + herbs | No preservatives or HFCS |
📋 Shopping Rules of Thumb
✅ Quick Decision Rules
- •If Processing Score >8.0: Put it back unless it's a rare treat
- •If ingredient list >20 items: Look for simpler alternatives
- •If first 3 ingredients include sugar/HFCS: Skip it
- •Shop the perimeter first (fresh foods)
- •Frozen vegetables > fresh > canned for convenience
🎯 Weekly Shopping Goals
- •80% of cart from Green Light categories
- •Average Processing Score of your cart <5.0
- •Average Nutrition Score of your cart >5.0
- •Read labels on any packaged food
- •Use our search tool for brand comparisons
📱 Using This Guide In-Store
🔍 Quick Lookup
- • Bookmark this page on your phone
- • Use our search tool for specific products
- • Compare brands side-by-side
📝 Shopping List
- • Start with Green Light categories
- • Note specific good brands to try
- • Set a Processing Score budget
🏃♀️ Time-Saving Tips
- • Shop with the traffic light system
- • Stick to tried-and-true good brands
- • Skip aisles with Red Light categories
🖨️ Print-Friendly Summary Card
Ultra Processed Food List - Quick Reference
Two-Score System Cheat Sheet
Processing Score Targets:
- • Green: 1.0-2.5 (Buy often)
- • Yellow: 2.6-5.0 (Compare brands)
- • Orange: 5.1-8.0 (Buy occasionally)
- • Red: 8.0+ (Avoid/rare treats)
Best Categories:
- • Vegetables (PS: 2.6)
- • Fruits (PS: 3.9)
- • Dairy (PS: 4.7)
- • Fresh Meat (PS: 5.5)
Ingredient Red Flags:
- • High Fructose Corn Syrup
- • Artificial Colors/Flavors
- • Sodium Nitrite/Nitrate
- • Trans Fats (Hydrogenated)
Shopping Goals:
- • Cart average PS <5.0
- • Cart average NS >5.0
- • 80% from green categories
- • Always read ingredient lists
www.ultraprocessedfoodlist.com • Data from 1.9M+ real products • Updated 2025
🔗 Continue Your Journey
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Always consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.