Health Tip: Trade Up

Hello dear readers!

I've recently been introduced to NuVal.  NuVal is a scoring system that ranks a food 1-100 based on a summary of it's nutritional label.  Most people can't really read nutritional labels well...they don't know what a "good" amount of sodium is, what the vitmain percentages mean, and so on.  So NuVal has craftily created a system that is simple and easy.  Now, I can buy the highest NuVal ranking bread with ease, and determine that Nutrigrain Bars and Special K Cereal are not very nutritionally sound.  Either is the Kashi GoLean Cereal all the "health enthusiasts" buy.

It's all about choice.  Think of each foods decision you make as one small battle.  This is the way I picture it...

Check out this bloggers comment:

NuVal (the group that scores the nutritional value of foods from 1 to 100, with 100 being top nutrition) gives Kraft macaroni and cheese a 5. 

That’s food for thought: a 5.  Even Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies score a 10. And it doesn’t matter whether the macaroni and cheese comes from Kraft or Annie’s.  They’re both nutritional losers: Annie's mac also scores a 5.

Kraft Whole Grain Macaroni and Cheese gets an 18.  Then again, Annie's Home Grown Bite Size Whole Wheat Bunnies Baked Snack Crackers does better.  It gets a 27. 

Crazy right?! Definitely so.  Lets let the pictures do the talking now...Remember, the ranking is 1-100...100 being the "best for you."  

• Skippy Natural Super Chunky Peanut Butter: 20
• Teddie All-Natural Super Chunky Peanut Butter: 38
• Jif Creamy Peanut Butter: 20

• Larabar Apple Pie (NuVal score: 57)
• Larbar Cherry Pie (NuVal score: 40)
• Larabar Cashew Cookie (NuVal score: 32)
• Clif Bar Carrot Cake (NuVal score: 26)
• CLIF Mojo Mountain Mix Bar (NuVal score: 24)
• KIND Fruit &  Nut Almond & Apricot Bar (NuVal score: 23)
• KIND Fruit &  Nut Almond & Coconut Bar (NuVal score: 23)
• Larabar Tropical Fruit Tart (NuVal score: 23)

So here are just a few examples of ways you can trade up!  I also suggest using applesauce or flaxseed instead of oils, fruit instead of fruit snacks (fruit snacks get a ONE on the NuVal scoring system), and replacing butter and cream-based dressings!  

Happy choosing!

Stay tuned.