The three nutrient values used in the Smile Food System—fiber, sugars, and protein—are key indicators of a food item’s nutritional benefit. With these three graphed in relation to each other, and this graph assessed as a smile, half-smile, smile-frown, flat face, or frown, you can understand and rate your food choices for their contribution to a balanced and fortifying diet.
Looking at other values besides fiber, sugars, and protein may not be necessary if you are eating a balanced diet and maintaining an appropriate weight. However, if you have a special medical condition or dietary needs, you may need to consult one or more of the other values in the table, as well as items in the Ingredients List (see next Special Topic). Moreover, even without special medical conditions or dietary needs, you may wish to understand the food you are eating in comprehensive detail. If so, you can look at sodium, fats and trans fats, and cholesterol also (see Special Topic below).
The amount of calories is another value that you should understand (see Special Topic below). You may be curious about vitamins and minerals, especially if you are very active and need to replace minerals lost due to perspiration, or if you are a certain gender or age that demands extra attention to these micronutrients. For many people, supplementing the Smile Food System with additional study of the nutrition information for the food is an important task. Please attend to your health and use the Smile Food System as a starting point; advance to a deeper analysis as needed or desired, for your mindful and thorough appreciation of foods.