# Diet Risk Score Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/diet-risk-score/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The diet risk score calculator rates how your eating habits affect your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, using a nine-question food frequency score from the INTERHEART study.

## Inputs

- Fast food or fried foods
- White bread, rolls or crackers
- Chips, salty snacks or pretzels
- Hot dogs, sausages or processed meat
- Sweet drinks
- Peanuts, nuts, seeds or nut butter
- Fish or shellfish
- Vegetables
- Fruit

## Results

- Diet risk score
- Interpretation

## Formula

```
Diet risk score = sum of points for 9 food groups (0–27)
Fried and salty foods, processed meat, sweet drinks and refined bread add points when eaten often; nuts, fish, vegetables and fruit add points when eaten rarely
```

## Explanation

The score is based on the dietary pattern analysis of the INTERHEART study of 52 countries: a "Western" diet high in fried food, salty snacks and meat raised heart attack risk, while a "prudent" diet high in fruit and vegetables lowered it.

### How to use the Diet Risk Score Calculator

- **Fast food or fried foods**
- **White bread, rolls or crackers**
- **Chips, salty snacks or pretzels**
- **Hot dogs, sausages or processed meat**
- **Sweet drinks**
- **Peanuts, nuts, seeds or nut butter**
- **Fish or shellfish**
- **Vegetables**
- **Fruit**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Choose how often you eat each food. The calculator adds the points – the higher the total, the less heart-healthy your diet.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterFast food or fried foodsChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelyWhite bread, rolls or crackersChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelyChips, salty snacks or pretzelsChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelyHot dogs, sausages or processed meatChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelySweet drinksChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelyPeanuts, nuts, seeds or nut butterChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelyFish or shellfishChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelyVegetablesChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarelyFruitChoose one: Daily, 2–3 times a week, Once a week, Never or rarely
*Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.*

## Worked example

Inputs — Fast food or fried foods: 2–3 times a week; White bread, rolls or crackers: 2–3 times a week; Chips, salty snacks or pretzels: Once a week; Hot dogs, sausages or processed meat: Daily; Sweet drinks: 2–3 times a week; Peanuts, nuts, seeds or nut butter: Once a week; Fish or shellfish: Once a week; Vegetables: Daily; Fruit: Daily.

Results — **Diet risk score = 13 / 27**; Interpretation = Moderate risk diet.

## Key terms

- **Prudent diet**: A dietary pattern high in fruit, vegetables, fish and whole grains.

## FAQ

**What is a good diet risk score?**
The lower the better; under 10 suggests a heart-healthy pattern.

**Which change helps most?**
Eating vegetables and fruit every day and cutting sweet drinks and processed meat.

**Is this a diagnosis?**
No – it is a quick screen of dietary habits.


## Sources

- [Iqbal R et al. Dietary patterns and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in 52 countries (INTERHEART). Circulation, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18936328/)