Fig. 1

Weighted age-stratified analysis of foods consumed by food category based on the 2014 Health Canada’s Surveillance Tool, Tier system, among children a 2–8 years, b boys 9–18 years, and c girls 9–18 years results are energy adjusted. Tiers are classified according to lower and upper thresholds for nutrients of public health concern: sodium, saturated fats, total fats and sugars. Lower thresholds: total fat: ≤ 3 g/RA, sugars: ≤ 6 g/RA and sodium: ≤ 140 mg/RA [8]. Upper thresholds: total fat: > 10 g/RA, sugars: > 19 g/RA, sodium: > 360 mg/RA, and saturated fats: > 2 g/RA [8]. Tier 1 foods do not exceed lower thresholds for total fat, sugar, and sodium. Tier 2 may exceed one or two lower thresholds but no upper thresholds. Tier 3 Vegetable and Fruit, and Grain Products: exceeds all lower threshold and no upper thresholds, or only one upper threshold. Tier 3 Milk and Alternatives, and Meat and Alternatives: exceeds all lower threshold and no upper thresholds, or only one upper threshold for total fat, sugars, or sodium. Tier 4 Vegetable and Fruit, and Grain Products: exceeds two upper thresholds. Tier 4 Milk and Alternatives, and Meat and Alternatives: exceeds upper thresholds for total fat, sugars, or sodium [8]