Table 1.
Classification of food items into groups and categories, and the corresponding list of nutrients to limit and nutrients to promote per category (n = 32)
| Food groups | Food categories | Range of Kcal/serving | Rationale for food category setting | Nutrients to limit | Nutrients to encourage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larger meal components | Milk-based breakfast beverages | A: ≤300 kcal/serving C: ≤255 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P,Ca |
| Cereal-based foods | A: 200–400 kcal/serving C: 170–340 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P,Ca,F | |
| Complete meals (all dishes eaten as main part of meal including pizzas >185 g) | A: ≤600 kcal/serving C: ≤510 kcal/serving |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P + 1 from list* | ||
| Side dishes and center of plate food items | A: ≤400 kcal/serving C: ≤340 kcal/serving |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P + 1 from list* | ||
| Asian noodles as main dish | A: ≤600 kcal/serving C: ≤510 kcal/serving |
Processed based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Pizza as center of plate (<185 g) | A: ≤400 kcal/serving C: ≤340 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P +1 from list* | |
| Smaller meal components/snacks | Soups | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – |
| Cold cuts and spreads | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Breads and pizza doughs | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based Process based |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | F | |
| Savory snacks | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Salty and savory biscuits | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based Process based |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Cheeses | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based Process based |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P | |
| Yogurts and fresh cheeses | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based Process based |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P,Ca | |
| Dairy desserts | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | Ca | |
| Ice creams | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Process based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Water ices & sorbets | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based Process based |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Enriched beverages | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P + 1 from list* | |
| Culinary sauces | A: ≤150 kcal/serving C: ≤127.5 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Milk-based beverages for consumption as small part of a meal or in-between meals | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | P,Ca | |
| Cereal-based snacks, cereal-based products for consumption as small part of a meal or in-between meals | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | F | |
| Confectionary bars (non-chocolate based) | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based Process based |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Chocolate | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Juice-based beverages | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Cakes, cookies and desserts | A: ≤200 kcal/serving C: ≤170 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based Process based |
E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Accessories | Beverages (all beverages with <2 % milk protein or <50 % juice or <25 % cereal on dry basis) | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – |
| Sugar confectionary | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Sweetened condensed milk | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Dressings | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Mayonnaise | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Cold sauces | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Bouillons | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Process based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – | |
| Culinary sauces as accessory (<100 mL) | A: ≤100 kcal/serving C: ≤85 kcal/serving |
Ingredient based | E, TF,SFA,TFA,AS,Fr,Na | – |
A adult >11 years old; C children 4–11 years old; E energy; TF total fat; SFA saturated fatty acids; TFA trans-fatty acids; AS added sugars; Fr fructose; Na sodium; P protein; Ca calcium; F fiber
* +1 from list: requirement achieved when the adequate level of one nutrient/ingredient in the following list is meat:vegetables/fruits (≥80 g/serving), whole grains (≥16 g/serving), vitamins/minerals (≥10 %DV/serving or 5 %DV/100 kcal), essential fatty acids ALA (n3): >0.6 % of energy, LA (n6): 5–10 % of energy