Recently I noticed ANDI all over my local Whole Foods. Despite my living in Los Angeles, I had no idea who ANDI was. Well, that’s because ANDI isn’t a who, it’s a what! ANDI is an acronym for Aggregate Nutrient Density Index, a new nutrition rating system created by author, MD, and founder of Eat Right America, Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
Whole Foods Market has rolled out ANDI in order to help inform their customers even further. ANDI analyzes and showcases the variety of nutrients found in any given food item. The scoring measures such nutrients as: Calcium, Carotenoids: Beta Carotene, Alpha Carotene, Lutein & Zeaxanthin, Lycopene, Fiber, Folate, Glucosinolates, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Selenium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, plus ORAC score X 2 (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity is a method of measuring the antioxidant or radical scavenging capacity of foods)
While fruit, vegetables, legumes and grains are quite simple to analyze based on USDA standards, the challenge lies in gathering accurate information for processed and packaged foods as ingredients, when put together, can change the chemical makeup’s of each other thereby making it a bit more difficult to find out its score.
As one would imagine, whole fruits and vegetables rank highest on the ANDI score board. For instance Kale receives a score of 1000 while vanilla ice cream gets a 9.
Below is a small sampling of scores:
While this is interesting and may help consumers make wiser decisions when shopping, it can also be a bit much to take in. After all, it would seem that one should only eat what’s on the left column and ignore the rest. However, I’m sure you would agree that oatmeal, avocado, grapes and olive oil are also good foods. Despite their lower scores, they are still incredibly healthy foods and should not be left off of your shopping list.
I will say that it is just another step in the right direction for Whole Foods. Over any other grocer nationwide, they are consistently pushing the envelope when it comes to consumer awareness, education and offering a wide variety of options for all sorts of special diets.
If you’re interested in learning more about ANDI, check out the Eat Right America website. Although, if you would like to compare ANDI to a similar nutritional density scoring system, visit NutritionData.com.
About The Healthy Voyager
The Healthy Voyager, aka Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, is the Vegan Executive Producer, Creator, Host and Writer of The Healthy Voyager web series & radio show, site, blog, and overall brand. A nutritionist, chef, film making, screen writing, traveling, singing, dancing, fun-loving, healthy & green living wife, The Healthy Voyager aims to help people live well, one veggie at a time!
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