How the Nom Score Works
The Nom Score is a single A–F grade that tells you how nutritious a fast food item is. It’s calculated the same way for every item at every restaurant, so grades are directly comparable.
The core idea: quality per calorie
Rather than rewarding food simply for being small or low-calorie, the Nom Score measures nutritional quality per 100 calories. This rewards foods that deliver more good (protein, fiber) and less of what fast food overdoes (sodium, added sugar, saturated fat) for the calories they cost.
What goes into the score
Six components are combined using a weighted model. Our default weighting reflects the biggest health concerns in fast food:
| Component | Weight | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 30% | Fast food’s biggest issue; linked to blood pressure |
| Added/total sugar | 25% | Metabolic impact |
| Saturated fat | 20% | Heart health |
| Portion size (calories) | 10% | Calorie awareness |
| Fiber | 10% | Whole-food indicator |
| Protein | 5% | Satiety bonus |
Reference daily values follow FDA guidance (2,300 mg sodium, 50 g sugar, 28 g fiber, 50 g protein), with sugar targets informed by WHO and fiber by USDA recommendations.
Adjustments and guardrails
- Penalties apply to items with industrial trans fat, extremely sugary beverages, or mega-portions, which a per-calorie view alone could understate.
- Bonuses apply to genuine whole-food choices, such as salads with real fiber.
- A calorie floor prevents tiny items (like a sauce packet) from producing distorted ratios.
From score to grade
The combined score maps to a letter grade using fixed thresholds:
- A — excellent nutritional quality for the calories.
- B — a solid, better-than-average choice.
- C — middle of the road.
- D — below average; okay occasionally.
- F — poor nutritional quality.
Diet guides vs. the Nom Score
The Nom Score measures overall nutrition. Our diet guides add a second filter on top — for example, the high-protein guide ranks items that clear 20 g of protein, and the low-sodium guide ranks items under 800 mg of sodium. That’s why a guide’s “top pick for overall nutrition” can differ from its “highest-protein” or “lowest-sodium” item: they answer different questions.
A note on intent. No single number captures everything about a food. The Nom Score is a consistent starting point for comparison, not medical advice. Pair it with your own goals and, when needed, guidance from a healthcare professional.
Questions about the methodology? Email contact@reindexventures.com.