Nutrient Quality Index (INQ) is the ratio between the percentage of various nutrients in a food or diet compared to the recommended intake and the percentage of energy compared to the recommended intake.

INQ=1, the evaluated food meets the nutrient intake requirement when energy intake meets the standard;

INQ>1, the evaluated food exceeds the nutrient intake requirement when energy intake meets the standard; the food has high nutrient value.

INQ<1, the evaluated food does not meet the nutrient intake requirement when energy intake meets the standard; the nutrient value is low.

Nutritional value refers to the relative indicators of the amount of various nutrients in food and the degree to which they are digested, absorbed, and utilized by the body. The high or low nutritional value depends on the types and quantities of nutrients in the food, their proportions, and whether they are easily digested and absorbed.