Every March is declared National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is “Food Connects Us.” Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the campaign reminds us that food is a way to find common ground with people around the world. This month (and always), we hope to “reconnect” you with how Guiding Stars serves as a link to healthy food, nutritious recipes, and a vibrant lifestyle.
We Focus on Nutrition So You Can Focus on the Food
As a nutrition educator and communicator, I always stress that people select and eat foods—not nutrients. Do you know the saying, “we eat with our eyes”? It’s true! We choose which foods we want to eat based on some easily identifiable factors. How the food looks. How hungry we are at that moment. And/or how much the food costs, among others.
In fact, research consistently shows that taste—not nutritional content—is the primary driver of our food choices, and that’s ok! At Guiding Stars, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Celebrating food and the way it connects us is important for many reasons, including health and well-being. But we also understand that taste rules our food choices. This is a key component of Guiding Stars’ mission—to connect the foods you like with the nutritional value you need and want.
Our focus on nutrition allows you to focus on what you want to eat and cook. For example, do you use Guiding Stars recipes? We create those star-earning recipes to give you some ready-made options that you know will deliver a healthy dish. Do you check the star ratings of foods on shelf tags or in-store signage (or the online Food Finder page)? If so, you’re already paying attention to Guiding Stars’ at-a-glance information about the overall nutritional content of foods.
We’re guiding you to those items with the most nutrient value in every aisle of the store. And that saves you valuable time and effort each time you shop. So even when you’re in a hurry, you can make the most appropriate nutritional choices for you and your family—without having to decipher all the nutritional information on food packages. (Of course, we do recommend checking out the Nutrition Facts information on food packages when you have the time.)
The People Who Guide the Guiding Stars Program
You may have read other posts where I discuss Guiding Stars’ collection of carefully constructed, patented algorithms. The Guiding Stars product evaluation process is structured around these algorithms, so where did they come from? Good question! First, we conducted a LOT of consumer research to determine what product nutrition information consumers want and need most. Then a small team of highly skilled scientists worked together to create the current set of algorithms. (This transparent process is documented in a published scientific paper if you’re interested in learning more about it.)
Next, Guiding Stars assembled a larger team of advisors in nutrition science, consumer communications, and public health. (I am the newest member, having only been part of the team for 13 years.) This group, known as the Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), guides the “upkeep” of the algorithms, which are based on science, public health recommendations, and expert consensus. Thankfully scientists are always learning new things about nutrition and health. As a result, sometimes the SAP adjusts the algorithms to maintain their relevance and scientific integrity.
Individualized Food Choices, With an Eye Toward Better Health
Guiding Stars is a tool that anyone can use to make faster and easier nutritious food choices. I always tell people that one of the best things about the program is that it allows for individual preferences. It’s not a prescriptive food plan. And it doesn’t “wag a finger” at you for not always choosing the healthiest products on the shelf.
Using Guiding Stars is a way to quickly make the best choices for you, within various food categories. Maybe you’re shopping for bread, and you really want a loaf of white bread. You can find the ratings for white breads on the Guiding Stars Food Finder. Or you can quickly look at the shelf tags in the bread aisle at your store. There will be no judgment from us about why you aren’t choosing a whole grain bread instead of white bread. Yes, we nudge you toward more healthful choices by awarding them more stars (2- and 3-star foods offer more nutritional value than 1-star foods). But our job is to provide you with information to help you make quick, informed food choices. And then you make your choices. It’s a good partnership, don’t you think?