Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Researchers analyse 8,000 foods to list healthiest breakfast options - Here's what to eat in the morning

“Consumers, policymakers, and even industry are looking for simple tools to guide everyone toward healthier choices.�

Researchers analyse 8,000 foods to list healthiest breakfast options - Here's what to eat in the morning

Opting for a healthy breakfast that provides the best and adequate nutrition for you, can sometimes prove to be a challenge. We all know that fried and sugary foods are bad for our health. But what we don’t know is how good or bad these foods are and the roles they play in a healthy diet.

Scientists at Tufts University have created a “Food Compass” to help you navigate through the maze of nutrition advice reports The Telegraph.


According to Tufts Now, other systems only focus on the harmful factors of each food, like salt and sugar, but Food Compass takes into consideration the health-promoting qualities too of what we choose to eat.

While other systems focus on just a few ingredients and nutrients, the Food Compass is reported to provide a wide range. It also draws on cutting-edge research to grade foods across nine categories.

This includes the types and amounts of nutrients the foods contain, the level of processing, whether they contain additives such as food colourings and preservatives and also if the ingredients of the foods can cause adverse health issues, Tufts Now informs.

The Telegraph says that the Food Compass rates more than 8,000 foods – on the scale of one to 100 based on health. The higher the number, the healthier the food is supposed to be.

Dariush Mozaffarian, Dean of the Friedman School, who was part of the team of researchers who created Food Compass is reported to have said, “Once you get beyond ‘eat your veggies, avoid soda,’ the public is pretty confused about how to identify healthier choices in the grocery store, cafeteria, and restaurant.

Consumers, policymakers, and even industry are looking for simple tools to guide everyone toward healthier choices.”

Anything above the score of 70 is good food to be eating, foods under 30 should really be avoided and anything in the middle (should be eaten in moderation).

So, according to the study, it’s time to replace your poached eggs with raw salmon and avocado for a healthy breakfast, as both these foods “score more” than eggs on the food compass.

Also, regular favorites like jam on toast (with white bread) or corn flakes and the cereal Frosties should be avoided for breakfast, The Telegraph states.

Poached or hard-boiled eggs, scored just 51, while Cheerios (whole grains breakfast cereal) scored 95. Avocado and raw salmon were among the few foods that scored a perfect 100, accompanied by raw broccoli, celery juice, watercress, cherries and red kidney beans.

But while Cheerios scored in the top fifth percentile, The Telegraph informs, corn flakes scored 19, and Special K, 18 - followed by Frosties which scored just 15.

The system reportedly reviews 54 “nutritional attributes” for each food, grouped into nine categories that are linked to diseases caused due to one’s diet, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems, and cancer, The Telegraph said.

The nine categories included are nutrient ratios, minerals, vitamins, food-based ingredients, processing, additives, specific lipids, phytochemicals, fibre and protein.

Here’s a list of some other foods along with their “scores” according to the Food Compass:

• Legumes (78)

• Fruits (74) and vegetables (69) - the top scoring groups

• Meat -beef (25) is poor scoring; chicken (43) and seafood (67)

The average score across the 8,000 foods was reportedly 43.

Snacks and desserts were rated as the worst food category. Also, fudges, frankfurters and fizzy drinks are reported to be part of the “one in 100” bad group, as is jam on white toast.

Co-author of the study, Dr Renata Micha states, “Using a publicly available scoring algorithm, the Food Compass can provide a nuanced approach to promoting healthy food choices – helping to guide consumer behaviour, nutrition policy, scientific research , food industry practices, and socially based investment decisions.”

The Food Compass is available online and the research study is published in the journal Nature Food. To learn more about Food Compass and see how other foods scored, visit the Food Compass website.

More For You

Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

Wes Streeting addresses the Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28),joined by Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Vikram Doraiswami

Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

WES STREETING spoke of the priority prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government attach to relations with India when he addressed a Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28).

But the secretary of state for health and social care won over the large Indian crowd by paying an unexpected tribute to Rishi Sunak.

Keep ReadingShow less