| Nutritional Rating Systems |
Article Index for Nutritional |
Website Links For Nutritional |
Information AboutNutritional Rating Systems |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT NUTRITIONAL RATING SYSTEMS | |
| food science | |
| health | |
| nutrition | |
| marketing | |
|
The methods may use point systems to rank or rate foods for general nutritional value or they may rate specific food attributes such as cholosterol content. Graphics or other symbols may be used to communicate the ratings to the target audience. Nutritional rating systems differ from nutritional labeling in that they attempt to simplify food choices, rather than listing specific amounts of nutrients or ingredients. SYSTEMS IN USE TODAY Glycemic index Glycemic Index is a ranking of how quickly food is metabolized into glucose when digested. It compares available carbohydrates gram for gram in individual foods, providing a numerical, evidence-based index of postprandial (post-meal) glycemia. The concept was invented by Dr. David J. Jenkins and colleagues in 1981 at the University of Toronto. Brouns ''et al'' (2005). "Glycaemic index methodology." ''Nutrition Research Reviews'' 18; 145-171 Guiding StarsSM This is a rating system biased toward meat, poultry, seafood, dairy and nuts. It is a patent-pending system developed by consultants from Dartmouth University and employed by the Hannaford grocery store chain. The system assigns one, two, or three stars to food products based on the quantity of certain nutrients. Products with more vitamins, minerals, fiber, or whole grains get more stars. Generally, products with less saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, added sodium, or added sugar get fewer stars. The system is biased toward meat, poultry, seafood, dairy and nuts because the nutritional value of these products are so low (based on the above criteria) that they would not receive any stars. Instead, the system puts these products in a separate catagory and ranks them relative to each other. The system does not communicate that these products have been separated or otherwise indicate their special treatment (although Hannaford mentions on their website that those food products are treated specially). 1 POINTS® Food System WeightWatchers developed the POINTS Food System for use with their Flex Plan. Healthy weight control is the primary objective of the system. The system is designed to allow customers to eat any food while tracking the number of points for each food consumed. Members try to keep to their POINTS® Target, a number of points for a given time frame. The daily POINTS® Target is personalized based on members' height, weight and other factors, such as gender. A weekly allowance for points is also establised to provide for special occasions, mistakes, etc.2 SEE ALSO : ''Main list: List Of Basic Nutrition Topics '' REFERENCES |
|
|