I am so excited about this new healthy food app I just learned about on The Chalkboard Blog. It is called the Eat Well Guide (EWG) Food Scores app. This is a food shopping app that takes grocery shopping to the next level especially if you are looking to avoid certain chemicals and additives common in our foods today.
In short this app helps you make better food choices from scanning its barcode (or typing in the name of the food) and reviewing the healthy food score returned. The scores range from 1 (extremely healthy) to 10 (run for the hills this stuff is killing you slowly). The overall food score is calculated from a weighted score of 3 key factors:
1. Nutrition – how nutritious is the food item
2. Ingredient content – Does the ingredient contain pesticides, additives, contaminants and antiobiotics
3. Processing – how man-made is the food vs. whole food
The weighted score gives more weight to nutrition and ingredient content. I was excited to take my phone to the grocery store or rather my pantry and see what was really up with the foods that we buy and feed our family and ourselves.
First thing I noticed is that while there are over 80,000 foods, 5,000 ingredients and 1,500 brands in the database, it was hit or miss if it would find the food item I was attempting to scan in its database to return a food score. That was a little disappointing as there were some key food items in my pantry I really wanted to know about.
Here is what I found with some of the items I scanned from around the kitchen.
Parsley Food Score
Mahatma Yellow Rice Food Score
Welch’s Fruit Snack Food Score
Bumble Bee Pink Salmon Food Score
Is this an eye opener or what? I know I was shocked. If you can’t handle the truth, this app may not be for you. If you are really trying to make a healthy change in the food you buy for your family, then you definitely want to get this FREE app.
It stores your scanned selections (just in case you need a reminder) and even offers up healthier alternatives in the same food category if you are completely bummed by the score your favorite foods receive. I highly recommend this app especially if you want to make better food choices and are not quite sure how.
Do you know how to read food labels?
32 Replies to "EWG Food Scores App Scores Big!"
Sue
Twitter: suzy399
January 20, 2015 (7:35 am)
Wow!!! This is AWESOME!! What a cool app….i’m going to download it ASAP!! I usually can tell if it’s a high quality ingredient, but I love how this breaks it all down!! Thanks for sharing!!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 20, 2015 (8:41 am)
You’re welcome!
Bri
Twitter: runliftyoga
January 20, 2015 (8:10 am)
This is really cool!! (downloading…)
o
Pamela Hernandez
Twitter: ThriveFit
January 20, 2015 (8:30 am)
I love their web site. I can’t wait to play with this app!
o
GiGi Eats
Twitter: dubagee
January 20, 2015 (9:46 am)
I love downloading new apps!!! They are wonderful distractions LOL!! So of course I am going to try this one out 😉
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 20, 2015 (10:45 am)
I like this one.
Kate
Twitter: katemoving
January 20, 2015 (11:21 am)
Oooh this is brilliantly dangerous!! Off to download and scan my pantry!
o
Kim
Twitter: KimBolden
January 20, 2015 (11:30 am)
So…Diatta thanks for the much need needed info. We are what we eat. I will be downloading this ASAP!
o
Jamie King
Twitter: jamiekingfit
January 20, 2015 (12:18 pm)
Such a great idea for an app, will definitely check it out!
o
Elena January 20, 2015 (6:03 pm)
Wow! So much information! Looks like a great resource!
o
Jen
Twitter: prettylilgrub
January 20, 2015 (6:17 pm)
This app looks so cool and a great tool to have while grocery shopping. Can’t wait to play around with it.
o
Christine
Twitter: cyu888
January 20, 2015 (9:03 pm)
This is totally brilliant! What a great idea and so much great information to have at your fingertips when you’re actually at the store making a purchasing decision.
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 20, 2015 (9:34 pm)
Exactly! I play with alot.
Courtney
Twitter: eatprayrundc
January 20, 2015 (11:43 pm)
interesting! I probably don’t have the patience to use an app like this but I can see how it could be incredibly helpful 🙂
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 20, 2015 (11:45 pm)
Oh Courtney just pull it out while you are shopping and scan. It will tell you right there the score of the food.
jill conyers
Twitter: jillconyers
January 21, 2015 (4:58 am)
I’m not a big app person but I love this concept! Great review and thanks for the info.
o
AmyC
Twitter: runningescapade
January 21, 2015 (7:45 am)
I love finding out about new apps that help us make healthy choices!
o
Deborah
Twitter: deborahbrooks14
January 21, 2015 (9:30 am)
Cool app! I consider myself pretty food label savvy but we need help right!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 21, 2015 (10:32 am)
This helps to inform you on how processed foods are which or may not be evident.
Nicole W
Twitter: laeblsbynicole
January 21, 2015 (9:48 am)
I should definitely try this app!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 21, 2015 (10:32 am)
Nicole it is eye opening!
Annmarie
Twitter: fitfoodiemama
January 21, 2015 (9:49 am)
How cool! I have never heard of this app but I will definitely have to check it out!
o
Diatta
Twitter: DSTPRL
January 21, 2015 (10:31 am)
Try it, it is totally cool.
RFC
Twitter: runfastermommy
January 21, 2015 (2:33 pm)
That is really neat! One of our local grocery stores has the scores on almost everything. It’s interesting to see the numbers. I remember looking at jelly in the PB&J aisle, and I believe it was ranked a 1 or a 2, whereas kale was maybe 99!
o
Debbie Rodrigues
Twitter: DebbieInShape
January 21, 2015 (3:40 pm)
It is scary isn’t it? I remember that when I started to check things I got scared too. Such app can facilitate it all a lot. Mainly one has just started in their journey. Thanks for sharing.
o
Sherry
Twitter: healthynfit4you
January 21, 2015 (4:49 pm)
Nice! I’ve never heard of this app but will definitely check it out! It kind of reminds me of Fooducate which gives a rating on food too. Thanks for sharing! #wowlinkup
o
Aimee
Twitter: fortybyfortyfit
January 21, 2015 (6:40 pm)
This looks awesome! I can’t wait to try out the app! #wowlinkup #wildworkoutwednesday
o
Deborah Davis
Twitter: debsmikdav1
January 21, 2015 (6:58 pm)
I am such a fan of the work of EWG! I use them as often as possible as a reference for safe, non-toxic products. This food score app is a winner! Pinning and sharing!
o
Janelle
Twitter: Janelle_RWNR
January 21, 2015 (7:40 pm)
Oooh this app sounds awesome! It really breaks things down, which is so useful! And free? Definitely downloading! #wowlinkup
o
Heather
Twitter: divasrunbling
January 27, 2015 (7:31 pm)
What a great app! I am going to have to check it out #wowlinkup
o
Louida
Twitter: missloumae
January 30, 2015 (11:38 am)
I need this app in my life ASAP! I read food labels often and at times do not know what I’m reading which means I know I shouldn’t be eating it. #ProductReviewParty
o
Amila
Twitter: slfoodcorner
January 30, 2015 (8:20 pm)
this sounds a great App…Interesting read,I really enjoyed and learned something new.
#ProductReviewParty
o