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Table 2 Weighted analysis of energy contribution from Tier 1–3 and Tier 4 (foods recommended to limit) and “other foods” not recommended by Canada’s Food Guide

From: Nutritional quality of the food choices of Canadian children

 

2–3 years

4–8 years

Boys, 9–13 years

Girls, 9–13 years

Boys, 14–18 years

Girls, 14–18 years

Variable (kcal/day)

Mean (SEM)

Mean (SEM)

Mean (SEM)

Mean (SEM)

Mean (SEM)

Mean (SEM)

Tiers 1 + 2 + 3

1094 (26.7)

1232 (22.9)

1443 (26.6)

1304 (25.8)

1760 (45.6)

1228 (26.2)

Tiers 4

119 (10.6)

177 (9.4)

223 (17)

221 (15.8)

214 (17.8)

148 (11.3)

Other Foods

Other Food/Beverages

Alcoholic Beverages

0 (0)

0.6 (0.6)

0.6 (0.3)

0.3 (0.3)

12.4 (4)

4.7 (1.8)

Beverages, High calorie (≥ 40 kcal/100 g)

10 (2.2)

26 (2.6)

58 (5.0)

52 (5.0)

93 (8.3)

68 (6.3)

Beverages, Low calorie (<  40 kcal/100 g)

7 (1.2)

11 (1.9)

19 (2.2)

19 (2.2)

40 (4.7)

21 (2.2)

High fat and/ or sugar foods

65 (4.7)

110 (6.9)

151 (9.0)

140 (10.1)

155 (11.5)

163 (16.5)

Meal replacements

2 (1.5)

3 (1.2)

2 (1.0)

1 (0.5)

2 (1.3)

3 (1.6)

Saturated and/or trans fats and oils

23 (3.1)

31 (2.4)

42 (3.8)

35 (2.8)

46 (4.2)

36 (3.7)

Supplements

1 (0.4)

0.1 (0.1)

1 (0.6)

1 (0.5)

5 (1.6)

5 (1.7)

Uncategorized (ingredients, seasonings, and unprepared foods)

6 (1.9)

6 (1)

6 (0.6)

7 (0.9)

23 (4.5)

9 (1.3)

Unsaturated fats and oils

32 (2.5)

36 (1.9)

52 (3.5)

45 (3.6)

70 (5.5)

52 (3.3)

Total energy from Tier 4 and “Other” foods/beverages (kcal/day)

224 (12.8)

355 (13.3)

493 (21.3)

465 (20.8)

560 (24.8)

441 (26.6)

Total energy from Tier 4 and “Other” foods/beverages (%)

16 (0.8)

21 (0.7)

24 (0.8)

24 (0.9)

23 (0.9)

23 (1.0)

  1. 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]. Tier 4 and “other foods” have no Canada’s food guide serving size recommendation. Low calorie beverages (< 40 kcal/100 g) exclude water. Results are presented as Mean (SEM: standard error of the mean)