I started this yesterday and I find that I am consumed by the grading system. I indicated that I used Helmann's Light Mayo and there was a C- grade (I believe). Same story when I used 1 ounce of cream cheese.

Although I did really well during the day, I find myself looking at the grade and saying "what else am I supposed to do"? I'm not going whole hog!

The suggested replacement "horseradish". Yuck!

Just wondering.

I always strive for As and when I don't get them, I'm disappointed.  But I know that the overall grade really is based on the grades of the individual foods, so if I eat MOSTLY A foods, the Ds and Cs usually get cancelled out (if not a large part of the day).  But I'd quit if I thought that I HAD to get an A everyday.

The thing to remember is that you can still eat C, D, and even F food -- just try to keep it in moderation, and work it into your calorie plan for the day (maybe schedule an extra walk).  Also remember, you can always look back at a week or a month average -- that D food will be just a blip on the radar.

I too am slightly obsessed with good grades. I don't worry about the grade of each and every food but boy do I want that A at the end of the day! Most days I achieve it but if not remember that it is a day by day process and tomorrow is always another opportunity to treat your body right by making good choices.

Here's a quick bit of advice though - raw veggies really bump up a score - I added sliced raw orange pepper and bounced right up by adding all that good vitamin C and fiber!

I don't know if this helps anyone, but I wouldn't put much stock in the grades.  I had a hectic day today, no breakfast, fried catfish, fried chicken wing, salad with regular ranch dressing, and a roll with honey butter for lunch (buffet), and for dinner, get ready, I went to a jewelry party and ate pretzels, dip, Hershey's choc. kisses and a cookie.  On top of that was a banana and a Starbucks non-fat cafe au lait for snacks.  I know, it was no where near healthy, but I stayed within my calorie range.  My grade for today?  I can't believe it myself, an A-.  I have no idea how I got the grade, I honestly expected a D or F.  The only things that were A's on my menu were the salad (not the dressing) and the banana.  I think we can all agree that we don't want to eat like this just to get A's everyday!

Your final grade is an average of the grades of all the foods you logged, weighted according to serving size.  That means if you had 1 tablespoon of mayo at C-, and a cup of spinach at A, the A will carry more weight than the C-. 

Some things that are good for you have low grades, such as olive oil. The grade for olive oil is because it is 100% fat, but it's good fat that can help lower HDL cholesterol, so it's a good idea to have a little in your diet.  Since it would be a very small amount, it wouldn't influence your overall grade by much.

There are many foods in the data base that are ungraded.  If you logged many of those it can influence the grade.

The grade is just a guideline, not a rule.  It helps us to recognize the very best foods and avoid the very worst.  But nothing takes the place of common sense.

Yes!  As a rule, I try to get an A every single day.  It drives my husband nuts  LOL  because some nights I'm eating all the LOW calorie A stuff that I can think of, just to bring my grade up.  If it works, I am thrilled.  But sometimes, I just can't get an A for the life of me.

He thinks I should just quit eating once I reach my daily calorie goal, but if I don't have an A, I'm more than willing to eat carrots, cucumber, salad, hot sauce, a tomato, lemon juice, and stuff like that.

Sometimes I quit at a B or C, but then I go to bed disgusted.  My overall average is an A, so I guess I'm doing good.  I just ate some of them Little Debbie Nutty Bars & I thought they would be bad, but they had NO grade!  LOL  So, I'm pretty happy right now & they were DELICIOUS!!!

I'm wondering if there is a way to search for foods by grade? I too would like to eat what are considered A and B foods, and tag them for easy meal planning. Anyone know if this is possible?

Me, Too!!! lol!

Wish you could 'Search by Grade!'

I average my grade by the month- i.e. from the 7th to the 7th of each month, as that is when I began.

THEN...  I print the months grade as a motivation for my weight loss journal. Five months of A averages looks good in there!

As I lose slowly, it really helps me feel I HAVE to be doing good, with nutrition grades like that!!!

The month average keeps me a little more level-headed on the daily grades! (I add stuff, too )

How do the grades actually get on a food item?  Who does it?  I am just asking out of curiosity, because I am going to lunch at Panera Bread, and was looking through their list of foods to see what would be the best for me, grade-wise and calorie-wise.  While a lot of their foods are listed and have the nutrition label, only a few of them are actually "graded" on the site.  Why is that..?

 

I'm such a big fan of the grading system!  It helps me realize, that yes, I could eat 1400 calories worth of Doritos all day long, but I'm gonna end up with a horrible grade.  (Not that I would ever think that eating a bag of Doritos everyday would be healthy).  I just mean it helps me realize the difference between white bread and whole wheat bread,etc, and how much choosing one over the other affects my diet and my health.  It drives me to find healthier foods to replace the Cs and Ds on my list.

I don't think I'll ever find a tasty cheese that's an A or B, though.

Skinny...I know! It didn't give me a grade for the sugar free jam I entered.  Maybe it's because it just doesn't have anything in it besides 5 carbs...???  I have no clue why Panera wouldn't be graded, though.  Weird!

Agree it's just a guideline.  This is my first day and I got an A-, BUT I'm a little salt intolerant so looking at what the ham did to my sodium shocked me, I'd give myself an F or D.

I sent this to someone via mail box, but here is an answer to the "find by grade" question:

 Foods by Grade
lazmom
Oct 11 2007 12:18

You had asked about how to search for foods by grade. I finally found an answer...

Go to the foods tab and click on Vegetables, for example. Then enter in "lettuce" in the search bar, once the list comes up, under the big word Search, there is "Order by Relevance/Grade". If you click on Grade, it will rearrange the list by grade.

You can do the same thing in your food log. I entered in Bumble Bee to find this particular tuna I was eating and then I could sort by grade to know what item to purchase next time.

Hope this helps.  

 

WOW!!! Thanks!!!

I didn't understand the part of 'in my food log', but...

WOW!!! Love the grade link in the searches!!!

WAYYY Cool!!!