Table 5 Penn healthy diet scoring algorithm (score range is 0–63 points, with higher score indicating a healthier diet)

Score with 1 point for each serving of food items

0

1

2

3

4

5 or more

 Fruit juice such as orange or apple juice with no added sugar

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Fruit such as apples, bananas, oranges, tangerines, or berries (not juice)

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Green or leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, or salad

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Red or orange vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, peppers, or squash

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Whole grain bread + cooked whole grains

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Milk

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Fish or seafood such as shrimp or clams that is not fried

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Plant proteins such as beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, hummus, or tofu

0

1

2

3

4

5

 Nuts, seeds, or nut butter

0

1

2

3

4

5

Reverse score 1 point for each serving

0

1

2

3

4

5 or more

 Sugar-sweetened drinks such as soda, iced tea, sports drinks, fruit drink or fruit punch

5

4

3

2

1

0

 White bread or rolls, wraps, taco shells, tortillas, burritos, or boxed cereal or refined grains

5

4

3

2

1

0

 Cheese

5

4

3

2

1

0

Food behavior questions

 Did you use regular or full fat milk or yogurt?

Yes = 1

No = 0

 Did you add butter or gravy to bread, rolls, biscuits, or potatoes?

Yes = 0

No = 1

 Did you use olive oil or vegetable oil (not coconut oil) on foods or in cooking?

Yes = 1

No = 0