1. What is the Health Score Calculator?

The Health Score Calculator evaluates meal nutritional quality by balancing beneficial nutrients against unhealthy factors, providing a score from 0-100 to help assess dietary choices.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Health Score formula:

Where:

• \( Nutrients \% DV \) — Percentage of daily value for beneficial nutrients
• \( Unhealthy Factors \) — Points for sugar, saturated fat, sodium, etc.
• \( Total \) — Total possible points for normalization

Explanation: The equation balances nutritional benefits against unhealthy components to provide an overall health assessment score.

3. Importance of Meal Health Scoring

Details: Meal scoring helps individuals make informed dietary choices, maintain balanced nutrition, and identify areas for improvement in their eating habits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter nutrients % DV, unhealthy factors points, and total possible points. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What constitutes "unhealthy factors"?
A: Typically includes added sugars, saturated fats, sodium content, and artificial additives that should be limited in a healthy diet.

Q2: How is % DV calculated?
A: % DV is based on recommended daily values for essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.

Q3: What is considered a good health score?
A: Scores above 70 indicate healthy meals, 50-70 are moderate, and below 50 may need nutritional improvement.

Q4: Can this calculator account for individual dietary needs?
A: This provides a general assessment. Individual needs may vary based on health conditions, age, and activity level.

Q5: How accurate is this scoring system?
A: It provides a useful guideline but should be combined with professional nutritional advice for specific dietary planning.