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
| 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) |
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)