Table 2 Definitions of Nielsen food categories that are included in the study
Food category | Description |
|---|---|
Cakes | All cakes and puddings including items that are ready to eat or require additional preparation (excludes frozen pastry and pie shells) |
Candy | Confectionary made form sugar, water, flavoring and food coloring (excludes candy with chocolate) |
Cold cereals | Ready-to-eat products marketed as breakfast food (excludes infant cereals and oatmeal) |
Cheese | Cheese products in various formats e.g. brick, string or slice (excludes cottage cheese) |
Chocolate bars | Individually wrapped chocolate and candy bars (excludes boxed chocolate and candy with chocolate) |
Compartment snacks and lunch kits | Prepackaged products comprised of two or more ingredients in separate compartments sold as portable snacks or meals |
Cookies | Small baked sweet biscuits |
Ice cream | Includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, sorbet and frozen treats made from these foods |
Pizza | Pizza not sold in restaurants |
Portable snacks | Cereal, protein or fruit bars and squares, and fruit snacks |
Fast food restaurants | Foods sold at restaurants where ordering is conducted at a counter or drive-through, where menu boards are place above the counter, and the table is cleaned up by the customer |
Non fast food restaurants | Restaurant that serves prepared food and beverages that are ordered from a menu once seated and are consumed on the premises. |
Snack foods | Savory snacks such as chips, pretzels, cheese puffs and meat-based snacks like jerky (excludes crackers) |
Regular soft drinks | Any non-alcoholic carbonated drink |
Diet soft drinks | Diet versions of soft drinks |
Energy drinks | Drink products that are primarily consumed for the purpose of boosting one’s mental and physical stimulation |
Sport drinks | Drink products that are meant to be consumed to rehydrate the body and replace electrolytes lost during physical activity |
Juices, drinks and nectars | Sweetened and unsweetened juices and beverages that come in liquid, frozen, concentrated, and powdered forms (excludes water, milk and alternatives, tea and coffee drinks, cocktail mixers, and alcoholic beverage) |
Yogurt | Yogurt in tub, tube and drink form (excludes frozen yogurt) |