Let me introduce you to ANDI
ANDI is not short for Andrew or Andrea. ANDI is not even a person or a pet. Rather, ANDI is the scoring system we are now using to rate the “Nutrient Density” of whole foods. ANDI stands for “Aggregate Nutrient Density Index” and was created to identify foods with the highest nutritional value. The USDA estimates that less than 5% of Americans meeting the minimum daily requirement for essential vitamins and minerals. As a result, millions of people suffer from food cravings and overeating. Research has shown that a properly nourished body will seek its ideal weight and won’t succumb to chronic & degenerative diseases.
ANDI was created to help consumers quickly and accurately identify foods with the highest nutritional values. No need to memorize the best source of this or that vitamin. ANDI takes the most important nutrients into consideration including: Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin E and even phytochemicals that are potent antioxidants vital for optimal health.
And the best news is that you don’t need to count calories or obsess over fat. The ANDI formula is very simple: ANDI = Nutrients divided by Calories. So the highest scoring foods have the fewest calories and virtually no fat. Foods are ranked on a scale of 1 to 1000. Kale and collards receive the top score of 1000 while cola lands at the bottom of the scale with a 1.
We have posted ANDI scores next to the foods with the highest scores in each department. While green leafy and colorful vegetables like bell peppers, pumpkin and carrots are the most nutrient dense (they contain the most micronutrients per calorie); items like meat, cheese and nuts, which land at the bottom of the ANDI scale, do have a place in a balanced diet. For instance, walnuts are a good source of healthy omega-3 fats and essential minerals but have an ANDI score of 34. Ounce for ounce, walnuts pack in a lot of calories which lowers their score in spite of their undeniable health benefits.
Using ANDI is simple and meant to encourage you to eat more nutrient dense foods. You can eat green leafy and colorful vegetables as often as you like. Fruit, starchy vegetables, whole grains and raw nuts & seeds are healthy enough to eat every day but portions should be a bit more moderate. If you choose to eat meat, eggs, and dairy products, the ANDI scoring system suggests that you limit these to a few portions a week. Highly processed and refined products are devoid of micronutrients so should rarely be eaten if you wish to lose weight and maintain vibrant health.
If you walk into our store and are utterly befuddled by the ANDI scores you see posted, please do not hesitate to ask a team member for assistance. A member of our Health Eating department would be glad to take you on a tour and point out the most nutrient dense choices.
Eat Well, Have Fun, Take Charge!
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Could you post the ANDI scores lists that you have in your store in the various departments online please?
This would be greatly useful when I am making
out my grocery list.
I could then plan my meals around the foods with
the highest ANDI scores.
Thank you.
Laura Lenee