MIND Diet Score

The MIND Diet Score is calculated by evaluating an individual’s intake of 15 food components: 10 brain-healthy foods (e.g., green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, fish, beans, whole grains, poultry, olive oil, and wine) and 5 unhealthy foods (e.g., red meat, butter, cheese, pastries/sweets, and fried/fast food). A point is awarded for each beneficial food group consumed at or above the recommended frequency and for avoiding unhealthy foods. The total score ranges from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to the MIND diet. The score can be assessed through food frequency questionnaires or dietary recall, helping individuals and practitioners identify areas for improvement in promoting cognitive health.