NuVal Scoring System Makes Healthy Eating Easy

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One way to stay heart healthy is to eat right.

Now Lunds and Byerly's is making it easier with a nutrition scoring system they call NuVal.

"They took a very complex science and developed an algorithm," said Janice Cox, a registered dietician.

The higher the score on a food, the better the nutrition.

"Things that are going to drive a score up are vitamins, minerals, good quality protein, antioxidants," Cox said. "Things that will bring a score down – sodium, fat, transfat, sugar and salt."

The results are surprising, especially when the same brands can have totally different numbers.

The bottom line for shoppers, always "trade up" to a more nutritious option. The program is available in all 22 Lunds and Byerly's stores in the metro.