Guiding Stars simplifies healthy eating. We evaluate how nutritious a food is and assign one, two, or three stars to indicate foods that offer good, better, and best nutrition. Using patented algorithms designed by independent researchers, we analyze the balance of nutrients in a given food using data from nutrition labels, ingredient lists, and the USDA’s National Nutrient Database. In participating stores, Guiding Stars can be found on shelf tags, on prepared foods, on store-brand packaging, and online. Food ratings can also be found on our website in our database of over 1,200 Guiding Stars-earning recipes and through our Food Finder.