The classification of eaters presented here is based on a 24-hour recall of food consumption from the day before the survey. This is the method used in the 2008 Health and Nutrition Barometer, whereas in 2002, consumption frequency over the past 15 days was used to establish the classification. The 24-hour recall method is generally considered the most reliable for minimizing various reporting biases. For this type of typological analysis, however, it poses several problems. First, the failure to report consumption of a product on the day before the interview does not mean that the respondent never consumes it. For the analysis, only consumption reported the previous day is considered. By product subgroup—such as fruits, meat, or yogurt—the number of such consumption instances in a single day is quite low: most often 1 to 3. These small observable differences between individuals are limiting factors for the type of analysis used in this chapter. The main challenge in constructing a typology stems from variations in consumption across the days of the week, particularly differences in eating habits between so-called “weekdays” (Monday through Friday) and weekends (Saturday and Sunday) (see the chapter “Meals: Daily Distribution, Structure, Locations, and Social Interaction,” page 187). A large proportion of schoolchildren, students, and employees are forced to eat lunch away from home. Their choices are then influenced by the food available and the time they have to eat. Weekends, which begin on Friday evening, are, on the other hand, marked by practices that are often more festive, particularly on Saturday evening and Sunday at noon. Meals are partially consumed in various types of commercial dining establishments, ranging from fast-food joints to fine-dining restaurants. [excerpt from the chapter introduction]