Template:Formula

A formula (or diet) is a list of nutritional requirements combined with list of ingredients that might be used to meet those requirement. A Nutrient is anything measurable that an ingredient contributes to a diet, such as protein or fat. The common definition of the word 'nutrient' suggests that nutrient is something beneficial. For purposes of formulating a diet, even harmful substances can be regarded as nutrients, as long as there are measurements for them. You could specify in a formula a maximum amount, so as to restrict the quantity of something harmful in a diet. In the the broad sense that a nutrient is anything measurable that an ingredient brings, cost could be thought of as a kind of nutrient. Tower Grove Feed optimizes for cost when it solves a formula. In the future other goals such as growth or health could be the target instead.