the researchers reportedly took three years to develop the food compass nutrient profiling system which weighs both the healthy and harmful traits of more than 8,000 foods. they ranked the foods according to a scoring algorithm that includes 54 characteristics and nine domains, such as their nutrient ratios and amount of food processing.
interesting, too, the characteristics and domains were chosen based on nutritional attributes linked to major chronic diseases, such as
diabetes,
obesity, cardiovascular problems and cancer, the researchers said. the aim of the list was to provide a single score for how foods can help improve overall health and manage chronic diseases so that people can navigate the grocery aisles and restaurant menus more easily in terms of looking out for their health.
we need more guidance than just eating our veggies
“once you get beyond ‘eat your veggies, avoid soda,’ the public is pretty confused about how to identify healthier choices in the grocery store, cafeteria and restaurant,” dariush mozaffarian, dean of the friedman school, and one of the researchers involved in the study,
said in a tufts news release
.
“consumers, policymakers and even industry are looking for simple tools to guide everyone toward healthier choices,” he said.
what makes ice cream relatively healthy?
the cold, creamy treat falls into the dairy category, which gives you phosphorus and calcium for bones, teeth and energy for cell function,
according to harvard health
. look for brands that have pronounceable “real” ingredients on the label in a short list, like cream, milk, cocoa and vanilla beans. heavily processed ice cream, and the vast array of “light” and “sugar-free” versions, can contain all kinds of additives to bind, flavour and sweeten the product.