Table 2.

Classification of ultra-processed foods.

UPF group	Items
Plant-based alternatives to meat and meat products	Plant-based meat sauce (e.g., bolognese style), vegetarian sausages, vegan sausages, vegetarian meat (whole cuts), vegan meat (whole cuts), vegetarian meat (cold cuts), vegan meat (cold cuts), plant-based cheese
Convenience foods (ready-to-heat)	Canned soup and stews, instant sauces and soups, chicken nuggets, pizza, canned noodle dishes (e.g., ravioli), frozen potato dishes (e.g., pommes), frozen noodle dishes, frozen prepared breads (e.g., garlic baguette), frozen fish dishes (e.g., fish sticks)
Fast foods (ready-to-eat)	Burger, baguettes and sandwiches, pommes, pizza, sausages, falafel
Sweet and salty snacks	Chips, crackers, pretzels, cakes, cookies, chocolate, gummy bears, ice cream, candies
Ultra-processed beverages	Lemonades, cola, ice-tea, carbonized water-juice mixes, energy drinks, sports drinks