GrubMuncher Health Rating System

The GrubMuncher app assigns a **healthiness score (1-10)** to meals based on publicly available nutritional guidelines. This system helps users make informed food choices.

1. How the Healthiness Score Works

Each meal is evaluated using scientific nutrition standards, scoring **1 (Very Unhealthy) to 10 (Very Healthy)** based on ingredients, macronutrient balance, and processing level.

2. Healthiness Score Criteria

The healthiness score is determined by multiple factors:

• ✅ Nutrient Density: Meals high in essential vitamins and minerals score higher.
• ✅ Macronutrient Balance: Optimal ratios of carbohydrates (40-50%), protein (25-35%), and fats (20-30%).
• ✅ Healthy Fats: Rich in unsaturated fats (e.g., olive oil, nuts, fish) improves score.
• ✅ Fiber Content: Meals with at least **5g of fiber per serving** gain extra points.
• 🚫 Processed Meat: Highly processed meats (bacon, sausage, deli meats) lower the score.
• 🚫 Ultra-Processed Foods: Meals with industrial additives, artificial preservatives, or highly processed ingredients receive penalties.
• 🚫 Trans Fats: Presence of trans fats leads to significant score reduction.
• 🚫 Added Sugar: More than **10g per serving** results in deductions.
• 🚫 Excess Sodium: Meals over **1,500mg sodium per serving** are penalized.
• 🚫 Refined Carbs: White bread, pastries, and sugary snacks lower scores.
• ✅ Whole, Unprocessed Ingredients: Meals made from whole foods gain a **health boost**.

3. Health Score Categories

Meals are grouped into five categories based on their **healthiness score**:

• 9-10 → Very Healthy (Whole, nutrient-dense, high-fiber, balanced macros, unprocessed).
• 7-8 → Healthy (Mostly whole foods, good nutrient balance, moderate sodium/sugar, minimal processing).
• 5-6 → Moderate (Some processed ingredients, slightly high sodium/sugar, decent nutrients).
• 3-4 → Unhealthy (Highly processed, excessive sodium/sugar, low fiber, industrial additives).
• 1-2 → Very Unhealthy (Fast food, trans fats, ultra-processed, high sugar/sodium, low nutrients).

4. NOVA Processed Score

In addition to the healthiness score, we assess the **degree of food processing** using the **NOVA classification system**. Each meal receives a **NOVA Processed Score (1-4)**:

• 1 → Unprocessed or Minimally Processed: Whole foods with no artificial processing (e.g., fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, eggs).
• 2 → Processed Culinary Ingredients: Foods used in home cooking (e.g., olive oil, butter, flour, salt).
• 3 → Processed Foods: Foods with added sugar, salt, or fat (e.g., canned beans, cheese, freshly baked bread).
• 4 → Ultra-Processed Foods: Industrial formulations with additives, artificial flavors, and preservatives (e.g., fast food, soft drinks, instant noodles).

Meals classified as **NOVA 4 (Ultra-Processed)** receive penalties in the healthiness score due to their association with negative health outcomes.

5. Data Sources & Citations

Our scoring system is based on research from:

• NOVA Food Classification System (Processing Levels)
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – The Nutrition Source
• U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025)
• World Health Organization (WHO) – Healthy Diet Guidelines

6. Contact & Feedback

If you have questions about the **health rating system**, please contact us at: support@apptastic.ai