Healthy Eating Index (HEI) Calculator

HEI Score Formula:

\[ HEI = \sum (Component\ Scores) \]

Total Fruits (0-5):

Whole Fruits (0-5):

Total Vegetables (0-5):

Greens & Beans (0-5):

Whole Grains (0-10):

Dairy (0-10):

Total Protein (0-5):

Seafood & Plant Proteins (0-5):

Fatty Acids (0-10):

Refined Grains (0-10):

Sodium (0-10):

Added Sugars (0-10):

Saturated Fats (0-10):

HEI Score (0-100):

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1. What is the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)?

Definition: The HEI is a measure of diet quality that assesses compliance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Purpose: It helps researchers, nutritionists, and individuals evaluate how well a set of foods aligns with key recommendations.

2. How Does the HEI Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ HEI = \sum (Component\ Scores) \]

Where:

\( HEI \) — Total score (0-100)
\( Component\ Scores \) — Individual scores for 13 dietary components

Explanation: The HEI consists of 13 components (9 adequacy, 4 moderation) that are summed to create a total score.

3. Importance of HEI Score

Details: Higher scores indicate better alignment with dietary recommendations. Scores of 80+ are considered good, 51-80 need improvement, and ≤50 are poor.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter scores for each component based on your dietary intake. All scores must be within their specified ranges.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the 13 HEI components?
A: Total Fruits, Whole Fruits, Total Vegetables, Greens & Beans, Whole Grains, Dairy, Total Protein, Seafood & Plant Proteins, Fatty Acids, Refined Grains, Sodium, Added Sugars, Saturated Fats.

Q2: How do I determine my component scores?
A: Scores are based on standard serving sizes and dietary recommendations. Consult a nutritionist or use dietary assessment tools.

Q3: What's a good HEI score?
A: 80-100 is excellent, 51-80 needs improvement, and ≤50 indicates poor diet quality.

Q4: Can I use this for meal planning?
A: Yes, the HEI can help identify areas for dietary improvement and track progress over time.

Q5: How often should I calculate my HEI?
A: For accurate assessment, calculate based on typical weekly or monthly dietary patterns rather than single days.