Let's face it, scouring the supermarket for the most nutritious choices while juggling two kids, a massive grocery list and impossible crowds is no easy task. Should you buy English muffins or wheat bagels? Cheerios or granola? Product marketing can make the task even more confusing. Message claims such as “low fat”, “multi-grain”, or “excellent source of fiber” make it difficult to truly find the most nutritious options for you and your family.

Wouldn't it be nice if there were some sort of nutrition fairy that could tell you exactly what was the best option? What about a guide to help cut through the clutter of nutrition information so you can make informed decisions about food quickly, easily, and with confidence?

What is NuVal?

The NuVal Nutrition Scoring System is an independent and easy-to-use food scoring system consumers can use across all products and brands to make informed decisions about food. Developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts, the NuVal system evaluates nutritional content through a complex algorithm, designed to help you quickly compare the nutritional value of the food you buy.

How does it work?

NuVal Scores summarize comprehensive nutritional information in one single number between 1 and 100. It's simple – the higher the number, the more nutritious the food. Each NuVal Score considers 30-plus nutrient and nutrition factors – the good (protein, calcium, vitamins) and the not-so-good (sugar, sodium, cholesterol). The final score is a simple, easy-to-understand number that you can use to make better food decisions in a matter of seconds.

NuVal Scores cover everything from apples and oranges to cereal and cookies. Over 90,000 products have been researched and scored in produce, seafood, meat, poultry, salty snacks, cookies and crackers, cereals, frozen vegetables, and many others. The scoring system also includes store brands and national brands to make comparing across products easy and effective. The scores are on shelf tags throughout the store, making comparing nutrition as simple as comparing price.

Where can you find NuVal Scores?

NuVal Scores can be found in more than 900 supermarkets across the nation. I know from personal experience that Meijer has NuVal scores posted throughout their stores in the mid-Michigan area.

Check out some examples of NuVal Scores. The results may surprise you!

CEREAL

• Hodgson Mill Unprocessed Wheat Bran (Millers Bran) 100
• Post Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal With Almonds 29
• Cap'n Crunch Sweetened Corn & Oat Cereal 10

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

• Broccoli (fresh) 100
• Bananas 91
• Avocados (fresh) 89
• Coconuts-Husked 24
• Vlasic Old Fashioned Sauerkraut 13

BREAD

• Healthy Choice Hearty 7-Grain Bread 34
• Sara Lee Honey Wheat Bread 23
• Wonder Cinnamon Raisin Bread 11
• Campagna Turano Italian Bread 2