Stashcook estimates nutrition for each recipe to give you insight into its macro- and micro-nutrient content and a comparative rating. Below we explain what the nutritional score is, what breakdown is shown, how the numbers are derived, and how the A–E rating works.
What is the nutritional score?
The nutritional score is a single summary measure that captures the overall healthfulness of a recipe. It helps you compare recipes at a glance, so you can more easily pick meals that align with your nutrition goals.
What breakdown does it provide?
The nutritional information is broken down into key components so you can see not just the score but the underlying data. Typically, the breakdown includes:
Calories (energy)
Protein
Carbohydrates
Fat (and often saturated fat)
Sugar
Salt (or sodium)
Fibre
These components let you assess which recipes are higher or lower in particular nutrients (for example, low sugar, high fibre, etc.).
How is it calculated?
Ingredient mapping to database values
Every ingredient in your recipe is matched to a reference database of nutrient values (per gram or per usual measure).Scaling by quantity
The nutrient values are multiplied by the actual amounts used in the recipe (e.g. 200 g chicken, 50 ml oil).Summation
All ingredient-level nutrient contributions are summed to get the totals for the full recipe.Portion normalization
The total values are then divided by the number of servings (or portion size) to show per-serving nutrition.Scoring and rating algorithm
The algorithm evaluates the combination of beneficial and limiting nutrients (e.g. protein, fibre vs. saturated fat, salt, sugar) to derive the nutritional score. Then that score is mapped to a rating from A to E (see below).
Note: If you edit ingredient quantities, swap ingredients, or change serving sizes in Stashcook, the nutritional numbers and score update automatically.
Explanation of the A–E rating
The A–E rating is a simplified classification derived from the calculated nutritional score. Think of it as a letter grade for the recipe’s nutritional balance:
A — top tier: recipes with favorable nutrient profiles (low in saturated fat, sugar, salt; higher in fibre, protein, etc.)
B / C — moderate: reasonably balanced, with some trade-offs
D / E — lower tier: recipes with higher levels of less desirable nutrients or lower levels of beneficial ones
The rating helps you quickly see how a recipe stacks up nutritionally compared to others, without needing to inspect each nutrient value.
Examples:
1. Home-made Lasagne
Energy: 324 kcal
Protein: 21 g
Carbs: 18 g
Fat: 19 g (Saturated: 10 g, Trans: 0.13 g)
Sugar: 2.22 g
Sodium: 732 mg
Fibre: 1.54 g
Calcium: 462 mg
Iron: 1.86 mg
Vitamins & minerals: Vitamin A 557 μg, Vitamin C 9.16 mg, Vitamin B12 1.35 μg, Vitamin K 51 μg, etc.
Nutritional rating: C
2. Beef and Broccoli Ramen
Energy: 484 kcal
Protein: 32 g
Carbs: 27 g
Fat: 28 g (Saturated: 5.82 g, Trans: 0.01 g)
Sugar: 6.79 g
Sodium: 1283 mg
Fibre: 4.38 g
Calcium: 103 mg
Iron: 3.73 mg
Vitamins & minerals: Vitamin A 213 μg, Vitamin C 103 mg, Vitamin B6 0.96 mg, Vitamin K 118 μg, etc.
Nutritional rating: B
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please be aware that all nutritional values are calculated by Stashcook. Ratings are estimates based on the ingredients listed in the recipe. They do not take into account product variations or cooking method. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.