Free for The Month of May
Our Nutrition Scores are typically only available to our Gold subscribers, but for the month of May, we’re releasing the Women’s Health Nutrition Score to all users, free of charge. Basic (free) users will find this by swiping left on the Diary header.
Here at Cronometer, we’re big supporters of the fact that women are not small men! Women require a unique set of macro and micronutrient targets in order to be their healthiest selves. This is where the Women’s Health Nutrition Score comes in handy! We break down and explore the benefits of this particular Nutrition Score below.
What Is A Nutrition Score?
Our Nutrition Score feature bundles specific macro and micronutrients together and gives users a percentage value for how they are hitting their targets. We have Nutrition Scores for all targets, electrolytes, bone health, immune support, metabolism support, antioxidants, keto & more!
What Goes Into The Women's Health Nutrition Score?
Our Women’s Health Nutrition Score includes the nutrients that women are typically lacking such as iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D and fiber. The Nutrition Score will give you a percentage on how well you’re hitting your targets for these nutrients. In order to score 100%, you’ll need to reach your recommended daily intake of all of these nutrients. Going over the recommended daily intake will also affect your score.
Why Is This Important?
Calcium
Women are more susceptible than men to osteoporosis (3). Out of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, 80% of them are women, meaning their calcium intake should be top of mind. 99% of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones and if one does not eat enough calcium-containing foods, the body will remove calcium from bones (4). Keep your bones in tip-top shape by keeping an eye on your calcium intake.
Iron
Women need significantly more iron than their male counterparts, mostly due to blood loss during menstruation. After menopause though, the recommended intake decreases from 18mg to 8mg per day. Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development and carries oxygen from your lungs to other parts of the body. Iron is also useful to make some hormones. Iron deficiency or anemia, is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide (6) so to counteract the odds, make sure you’re getting enough iron in your diet.
Magnesium
This mineral plays an important role in assisting enzymes to carry out various chemical reactions in the body such as building proteins and strong bones, and regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, and muscle and nerve functions. Magnesium is also required for energy production (7). Women typically lack magnesium in their diets so keep your body thriving with adequate magnesium intake.
Vitamin D
Together with calcium, vitamin D helps protect you from developing osteoporosis. Vitamin D also is required for muscle function, immune and nerve function (8). We can make vitamin D in our skin through exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D from foods and supplements is more important for those with dark skin, or little exposure to sunlight, such as those who live in cloudy or northern climates.
Fiber
A high fiber diet has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, diverticular disease, constipation (1) and even breast cancer (2). Fiber helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, helping to keep hunger and blood sugar in check, hence why it’s touted to help with weight management and digestive health. Fiber needs for women decrease once you’re over the age of 50.
How To Set Up Nutrition Scores
You’re able to select up to eight Nutrition Scores that you want to keep an eye on.
On the web app, navigate to More > Display Settings and scroll down to Nutrition Scores. Select Women’s Health as one of your eight choices.
On the mobile app, go to More > Targets > Nutrition Scores.
Where Can I Find This Nutrition Score?
As a Gold subscriber, your Nutrition Scores can be seen from a few different places.
Your Diary Screen: From your Diary screen, swipe left on the header bar until you get to the Nutrition Scores panel.
Your Daily Report: From your Diary screen, tap on the three dot icon in the top right. Tap ‘View Daily Report’ and scroll down to the Nutrition Scores section.
Your Nutrition Report: From your Discover screen, tap Report and scroll down to the Nutrition Scores section.
An Additional Note On Gender Specific Nutrition Scores
First of all, we’d like to acknowledge the limitations of current practices in the medical and nutrition industries when it comes to inclusivity of trans and non-binary people. Currently, due to a lack of scientific research available to account for other options, Cronometer nutrient target calculations are sex-based, which forces you to choose a sex in order to accurately calculate settings within the app. We know that’s not ideal for some of our users, and as the research becomes available, we hope to better serve our community of transgender and non-binary individuals. Based off of the existing research, we have compiled a few nutrition considerations for the transgender population into a blog.
We understand that the release of these Nutrition Scores in your diary may be triggering for some individuals, and if this applies to you, we ask that you reach out to us. We will gladly offer a solution so you will no longer see these Nutrition Scores on your diary page.
In the months and years to come, all of us at Cronometer hope to improve how our app serves all members of our community.
Go For Gold
Log food ad-free and gain access to premium features like our Women’s Health Nutrition Score beyond the month of May by upgrading to Cronometer Gold. Click here to get started.
Resources
2. Dietary fibre intake and risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies, National Library of Medicine. Link
3. What Women Need To Know, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. Link
4. The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Link
5. National Library of Medicine. Link
6. The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Link
7. National Institutes of Health. Link
8. National Institutes of Health. Link
