Why Two Scores Instead of One?
Traditional single-score systems fail to capture the complexity of food quality. A product can be minimally processed but nutritionally poor (like pure sugar), or ultra-processed but fortified with nutrients (like protein bars). Our two-score system recognizes this fundamental truth.
Single Score Problems
- Can't distinguish processing from nutrition.
- Oversimplifies complex trade-offs.
- Misleads consumers about food quality.
- Ignores individual dietary needs.
Two-Score Advantages
- Clear separation of concerns.
- Reveals hidden ultra-processing.
- Identifies nutritious processed foods.
- Enables personalized thresholds.
Real Examples That Prove the Point
Real products showing how processing and nutrition scores diverge
Processing Score (PS): How Much Has It Changed?
The Processing Score measures industrial transformation from whole foods. It starts at 1.0 for a single ingredient and rises with each layer of processing, additive and industrial technique. There is no upper limit: the highest score anywhere in our catalog today is 105.3.
Base Score
The base score rises with a product's ingredient count and processing complexity, from whole single-ingredient foods up to standard processed items:
- Single ingredient (apple, egg, milk)
- 2-3 simple ingredients (nut butter, cheese)
- Basic processing (bread, yogurt)
- Standard processed (crackers, cereal)
Processing Penalties
Major Penalties
- Artificial ingredients.
- Hydrogenated oils.
- High fructose corn syrup.
Moderate Penalties
- Modified starches.
- Chemical preservatives.
- Natural flavors.
Processing Levels
Nutrition Score (NS): What's the Nutritional Value?
The Nutrition Score evaluates the balance of nutrients it rewards against those it penalizes on a 0-10 scale. Higher scores indicate better nutritional value, considering protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals against sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat.
Positive Factors (Add Points)
- Protein. Strongest boost
- Fiber. Significant boost
- Fruits/Vegetables. Significant boost
- Fermented dairy. Minor boost
- Whole grains. Minor boost
Negative Factors (Subtract Points)
- Added sugars. Strongest penalty
- Sodium. Significant penalty
- Saturated fat. Significant penalty
- Trans fat. Strongest penalty
- Low nutrient density. Minor penalty
Score Ranges
- 8-10: Excellent - High protein/fiber, minimal negatives. Examples: Plain Greek yogurt, quinoa, salmon
- 5-7: Good - Balanced nutrition profile. Examples: Whole grain bread, low-fat milk, lean meats
- 3-4: Fair - Some nutritional value. Examples: White bread, fruit juice, processed cheese
- 0-2: Poor - High sugar/sodium, low nutrients. Examples: Candy, soda, potato chips
Using Both Scores Together
The real power comes from using both scores together. This reveals four distinct categories of foods, each requiring different consideration in your diet.
Low Processing, High Nutrition
Low PS + High NS
A short ingredient list and a high Nutrition Score. Examples: fresh fruits, vegetables, plain yogurt, whole grains.
Good Processed
High PS + High NS
Processed but nutritionally dense. Examples: fortified cereals, protein bars, meal replacements.
Simple but Empty
Low PS + Low NS
Minimally processed but nutritionally thin. Natural does not mean nutritious. Examples: sugar, white rice, fruit juice, coconut oil.
Avoid
High PS + Low NS
Ultra-processed and nutritionally thin, the weakest combination on both scales. Examples: candy, chips, soda, frozen dinners.
Setting Your Personal Thresholds
Everyone's dietary needs and goals are different. Use these guidelines to set your personal thresholds for both scores.
Strict Health Focus
PS ≤ 3.5 (Minimal only) NS ≥ 7 (Excellent nutrition)
The narrowest filter. Surfaces whole foods and minimally processed options with high nutrition scores, and excludes most of the catalog.
Balanced Approach
PS ≤ 8.0 (Avoid ultra-processed) NS ≥ 5 (Good nutrition)
Practical for most people. Allows some processed foods while maintaining good nutrition. Sustainable for long-term healthy eating.
Flexible Living
PS ≤ 10 (Limit extreme processing) NS ≥ 3 (Basic nutrition)
For busy lifestyles or gradual improvements. Allows convenience foods while limiting the highest-scoring options. A practical starting point for dietary changes.
Common Misconceptions
"Natural means healthy"
Sugar, salt and saturated fats are all natural. Our Processing Score sits at the floor of the scale for these, and the Nutrition Score is what reflects their nutritional value.
"All processed food is bad"
Some processing improves nutrition (fortified milk, frozen vegetables) or safety (pasteurization). Our Processing Score measures how much processing a food has undergone, not whether that processing is good or bad for you.
"Organic equals less processed"
Organic products can be heavily processed. Organic cookies, chips and sodas can still carry long lists of industrial additives. Processing method matters more than organic certification.
"Expensive means healthier"
Premium brands often score worse than store brands. Price reflects marketing and packaging more than food quality. Always check the scores.
Ketzal for iPhone
Check What's Already In Your Kitchen.
Scan a barcode, on the shelf or in your pantry, and see both scores in seconds. Free, no account needed.
Scan It Free
Key Takeaways
- Two scores reveal the truth: Processing and nutrition are independent factors that both matter for health.
- Level 4 is a large minority of the catalog: 27.8% of scored products land in Level 4 (Processing Score above 8.0), showing how common industrial processing is.
- Set personal thresholds: Use PS ≤ 6.5 and NS ≥ 5 as a balanced starting point, then adjust for your needs.
- Look for Low PS + High NS: Foods that minimize processing while maximizing nutrition score well on both scales.
- Question assumptions: Natural doesn't mean healthy, organic doesn't mean unprocessed, expensive doesn't mean better.