Keep in mind that nutrient density scoring is not the only factor that determines good health. For example, if we only ate foods with a high nutrient density score our diet would be too low in fat. So we have to pick some foods with lower nutrient density scores (but preferably the ones with the healthier fats) to include in our high nutrient diet. Additionally, if a thin person or highly physically active individual ate only the highest nutrient foods they would become so full from all of the fiber and nutrients that would keep them from meeting their caloric needs and they would eventually become too thin. This of course gives you a hint at the secret to permanent weight control. For further details read, Eat To Live. But, shhh don’t tell anybody about this.

To determine the scores above all known vitamins and minerals were considered and added in. Nutrient Data from Nutritionist Pro software for each food item was obtained for the amount of that food that would provide a 1000 calorie serving. We included the following nutrients in the evaluation: 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).

Nutrient quantities, which are normally in many different measurements (mg, mcg, IU) were converted to a percentage of their RDI so that a common value could be considered for each nutrient. Since there is currently no RDI for Carotenoids, Glucosinolates, or ORAC score, goals were established based on available research and current understanding of the benefits of these factors. (limited references below). The % RDI or Goal for each nutrient which the USDA publishes a value for was added together to give a total. All nutrients were weighted equally with a factor of one except for the foods ORAC score. The ORAC score was given a factor 2 (as if it were two nutrients) due to the importance of antioxidant nutrients so that measurement of unnamed anti-oxidant phytochemicals were represented in the scoring. The sum of the food’s total nutrient value was then multiplied by a fraction to make the highest number equal 1000 so that all foods could be considered on a numerical scale of 1 to 1000.

¹ Dr. Fuhrman’s nutrient density food rankings, scoring system, and point determinations of foods is patent pending.

References:

Nutritionist Pro [Nutrition Analysis Software] Versions 2.5, 3.1. Stafford TX . Axxya Systems. 2005,2006.

Higdon, Jane. Isothiocyanates. The Linus Pauling Institute. Micronutrient Research Center. 9/20/2005. http://oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/isothio.

Wu, Xianli; Beecher, Gary; Holden, Joanne; Haytowitz, David; Gebhardt, Susan; Prior Ronald. 2004; Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Antioxidant Capacities of Common Foods in the United States. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 52. 4026-4037.

Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Caroteinoids, 2000. Food and Nutrition Board. Institute of Medicine. National Academy Press. Washington D.C. pp. 343-344.

Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. 2002. Food and Nutrition Board. Institute of Medicine. National Academy Press. Washington D.C. p. 423.

Mc Bride, Judy. 1999. Can Foods Forestall Aging? Agricultural Research. 47(2): 15-17.

Wu, Xianli; Beecher, Gary; Holden, Joanne; Haytowitz, David; Gebhardt, Susan; Prior, Ronald. 2004. Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Antioxidant Capacities of Common Foods in the United States.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 52. 4026-4037.

Prior, Ronald. Hoang, Ha. Gu, Liwei. Bacchiocca, Mara. Howard, Luke. Hanpsch-Woodill, Maureen. Huang, Dejuan.Ou, Boxin, Jacob, Robert. 2003. Assays for Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidant Capacity of Plasma and Other Biological and Food Samples.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 51. 3273-3279.

Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium and Caroteinoids. 2000. Food and Nutrition Board. Institiute of Medicine. National Academy Press. Washington D.C. pp. 343-344. Prior, RL. 1999. Can Foods Forestall Aging?
Agricultural Research. 47(2): 15-17.

Source: Dr. Fuhrman