09.09.11
The Organic Center (TOC), a research and education institute on the science of organic food and farming, has developed its new Nutritional Quality Index (TOC-NQI), which quantifies the nutrients provided in a given amount of food (a serving, 100 calories, or 100 grams). The TOC-NQI profiling system encompasses 27 important nutrients and is based on the degree to which a given food meets the applicable recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for each.
This system comes as roughly 69% of Americans are struggling to cut back on excessive caloric intake and are looking to make healthier, safer food choices.
The nutrient index quantifies the diet-health benefits of smarter food choices. It takes into account both the unique nutritional needs of different population groups and whether a given nutrient is present in typical diets above or below the RDA.
The index can be applied to single-ingredient foods and beverages (apples compared to oranges or cucumbers), multiple-ingredient foods (a Big Mac, pepperoni pizza), as well as full meals and daily diets.
This system comes as roughly 69% of Americans are struggling to cut back on excessive caloric intake and are looking to make healthier, safer food choices.
The nutrient index quantifies the diet-health benefits of smarter food choices. It takes into account both the unique nutritional needs of different population groups and whether a given nutrient is present in typical diets above or below the RDA.
The index can be applied to single-ingredient foods and beverages (apples compared to oranges or cucumbers), multiple-ingredient foods (a Big Mac, pepperoni pizza), as well as full meals and daily diets.