Tag: Nutrition scoring

The average Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020) score for U.S. adults is 58 out of 100, indicating that American diets do not align well with federal dietary recommendations. This comprehensive scoring system provides a structured framework for evaluating the overall quality of a person's diet.

The average American diet scores only 58 out of 100 on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), a snapshot of how the nation's diet aligns with federal guidelines. The Healthy Nutrition Index, more commonly known as the HEI, is a powerful tool for measuring overall diet quality and adherence to healthy eating patterns. This index helps public health officials, researchers, and individuals understand how specific food choices contribute to or detract from a nutritious diet.

Research from a 2022 Harvard Health study found that people with higher Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) scores had a significantly lower risk of chronic diseases, including a 31% lower risk of coronary heart disease. This scoring system evaluates diet quality by assessing adherence to health-promoting and disease-preventing food and nutrient recommendations.

Protein quality describes a food's capacity to deliver essential amino acids and nitrogen to meet the body's metabolic needs. To accurately determine a food's nutritional value, it is essential to understand not just the total protein content, but how to calculate protein quality.