Help Center
Everything you need to know about Badlow, our Blood Sugar Impact methodology, diet tags, and how we ensure data quality.
Blood Sugar Impact (BSI) Guide
How BSI is Calculated
Step 1: Start with net carbohydrates (total carbs - fiber)
Step 2: Apply reductions based on protein and fat content
Step 3: Calculate score where higher values indicate greater potential impact on blood sugar
Step 4: Assign to one of 13 descriptive categories
Important: BSI scores are educational estimates. Individual blood sugar responses vary based on metabolism, medication, activity level, and other factors. Always monitor your actual response.
Understanding BSI Scores
Foods are scored based on their nutritional content and categorized to help you quickly understand their potential blood sugar impact. Higher scores indicate foods that may have a greater effect on blood sugar levels.
Blood Sugar Categories & Diet Tags
13 Blood Sugar Impact Categories
Whole food ingredients and balanced nutrients
Complex carbs + fiber/fat = steady energy
Fat/protein slows digestion and impact
Low net carb, low sugar, easy on blood sugar
Fast spike — sugar, syrup, refined starches
Looks healthy but has hidden sugars/starches
Sharp spike + crash — low fiber/fat
Loaded with sugar and no blood sugar buffer
Spike comes later due to fat or protein
Non-obvious sugar in ingredient list
High carb, low fiber/protein = fast spike
May cause GI distress or BG inconsistency
Low satiety, high BG potential
Diet Label Tags
Foods available to Paleolithic humans
High fat, moderate protein, very low carb
No animal products or by-products
No meat, poultry, fish, seafood
Fish/seafood but no other animal flesh
No gluten proteins from wheat, barley, rye
Data Quality & Sources
USDA Data Sources
How We Calculate Data Quality
Data Quality Score (0-100%): We calculate a percentage score based on how complete the nutritional data is for each food item.
Foundation Foods: Generally have the highest quality scores as they represent lab-analyzed, whole foods from the USDA database.
Branded Foods: Quality varies based on manufacturer reporting completeness - some have full nutrition panels while others may have missing data points.
Score Calculation: Based on the presence and completeness of key nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Note: All nutritional data comes directly from the USDA Food Data Central database. We don't conduct lab testing - we process and enhance the existing USDA data to make it more useful for blood sugar management.
Using the Platform
🔍 Exploring Foods
- • Search by food name or brand
- • Browse by blood sugar categories
- • Filter by diet tags (Keto, Vegan, etc.)
- • Check quality scores for reliability
⚖️ Comparing Foods
- • Compare BSI scores side-by-side
- • See nutritional differences
- • Make informed substitutions
- • Save comparisons for later
📋 Collections
- • Create custom food lists
- • Organize by meal type or diet
- • Share lists with others
- • Export for meal planning
📊 Tracking
- • Log foods you've eaten
- • Track your blood sugar responses
- • Compare predicted vs actual BSI
- • Share experiences with community
Important Medical Disclaimer
This platform is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Blood sugar responses vary significantly between individuals based on factors including metabolism, medication, activity level, and overall health. BSI scores are estimates based on nutritional content and should not replace blood glucose monitoring or medical guidance. Always consult with your healthcare provider, certified diabetes educator, or registered dietitian before making dietary changes or diabetes management decisions.