The Gaindex.
A 1–100 label-based nutrition score for comparing grab-and-go protein snacks. It estimates how strong a snack is as a high-protein option using only nutrition facts. It is not medical advice and is not a complete measure of overall diet quality.
What it measures
The Gaindex is calculated only from values on the Nutrition Facts label. It rewards snacks that provide meaningful protein in a reasonable calorie range, without loading you up with added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat. Fiber earns a small bonus.
It does not include taste, texture, price, packaging, ingredients, processing level, or our opinion of the brand. Those are reviewed separately and shown next to the score so you can decide what matters.
Protein amount Total protein per serving/package. A snack should actually deliver protein. | 30% |
Protein density Protein per calorie. Rewards snacks that provide protein efficiently. | 25% |
Added sugar control Added sugar when available; total sugar as a fallback. | 15% |
Sodium control Lower sodium scores better. Very high sodium reduces the score. | 10% |
Fiber bonus Fiber earns a bonus, especially for bars, shakes, and crunchy snacks. | 10% |
Saturated fat control Lower saturated fat scores better. | 10% |
Tiers
Why nutrition-only
Mixing taste into a nutrition score makes the score useless — a candy bar with whey protein dust would score the same as a lean meat stick just because someone liked the flavor. Keeping taste, texture, and value separate means the Gaindex stays honest and the review still tells you what eating it is like.
Gaindex is designed for quick snack comparison, not medical advice. Nutrition needs vary by person, and a high score does not mean a product is perfect for everyone.