Table 1

Food group classification and nutrient profiling score

Nutrient profiling score
Mean±SD
Healthier*Less healthy
Paired food groups
 Bread products†−2.00±2.8913.12±5.02
 Breakfast cereals−3.08±2.538.28±2.69
 Other dairy (incl. cream, yoghurt, fromage frais)−0.07±2.069.99±4.81
 Red meat−0.09±2.349.01±4.28
 Processed fish and meat†0.59±2.0312.39±5.76
 Ready meals and convenience food−0.40±2.2910.67±3.90
 Sauces and condiments0.00±2.6411.85±5.56
 Other drinks (incl. water, cordials, carbonated, dairy based)−0.32±1.526.69±8.54
Healthier food groups
 Pasta, rice, potatoes and other grains−4.19±4.35
 Proteins (incl. egg, fish, white meat, meat substitutes)−0.25±3.81
 Fruits−4.01±2.02
 Vegetables, excl. legumes and potatoes−6.71±3.20
 Legumes, nuts and seeds−8.75±4.34
 Milk0.06±1.53
Less healthy food groups
 Other morning goods (incl. croissants, pastry, crumpet)†14.97±8.80
 Savoury snacks10.91±5.41
 Chocolates and confectionery†19.72±7.17
 Puddings and biscuits†14.58±7.36
 Cheese18.79±5.62
 Fat and oil20.92±3.45
 Caloric sweeteners (sugar, honey and syrup)13.96±1.16
 Table salt‡
 Juices
 Alcohol
  • *Food products scoring above 4 points and drinks scoring above 1 point are classified as less healthy. Food groups were slit into pairs if at least 10% of products were classified as healthy/less healthy. Otherwise, products are assigned to a healthier/less healthy food group.

  • †Some products were excluded due to unreliable nutritional data.

  • ‡Only sodium information is reported for table salt.