FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No.
A wide variety of foods contribute to sodium intake. Most dietary sodium comes from sodium added during
food processing or during cooking in restaurants. Some foods contribute sizable amounts to total intake when
consumed because the
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What foods contribute to sodium intake?
8 -- Sodium Intake of the U.S. Population
foods provide less sodium per serving but contribute substantially to total intake because they are frequently
consumed. Table 2 shows the contribution of different food categories to total sodium intake.
Table 2. Percent contribution of food categories to sodium intake, 2007-2008
FOOD CATEGORIES
†
Individuals
Reporting
‡
(%)
Contribution
to Sodium
(%)
Grain- or Meat/Poultry/ Fish-Mixed Dishes 23
Mixed Dishes:
meat, poultry, fish w/ sauces, gravies, bread, and/or vegetables
19 5
Pizza:
pizza, calzones, pizza rolls
12 5
Pasta/Macaroni Dishes
: spaghetti, ravioli, macaroni, lasagna, salads
17 5
Mexican/Latin-type Items:
burritos, tacos, tamales, nachos, other mixed dishes
8 3
Indian/Asian-type Items:
curries, egg rolls, fried rice, stir-fries, sushi
7 3
Rice/Rice Dishes
: plain rice, rice dishes w/ sauces, meat, beans, and/or vegetables
14 2
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Eggs
19
Deli/Cured Meats:
ham, luncheon meats, frankfurters, bacon, sausage
35 9
Poultry:
fried/baked chicken, patties, nuggets, turkey, duck
28 4
Meats:
beef, pork, lamb, game
24 2
Fish/Seafood:
finfish and shellfish, cakes, salads
11 2
Eggs/Egg Dishes:
scrambled/fried, omelets, quiches, souffles
19 2
Bread/Grain Products
14
Breads/Rolls:
yeast breads and rolls, tortillas, bagels, English muffins
65 8
Breakfast Bakery Items/Quick Breads:
biscuits, cornbread, muffins, pancakes,
16 3
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Cereals/Grains:
RTE cereals, grits, oatmeal
32 2
egetables
7
Vegetables:
salads,
canned, fresh, frozen, except white potatoes
54 3
White Potatoes:
baked, boiled, mashed, fried, salads, except potato chips
31 3
Beans/Legumes:
dried and canned, bean dishes
10 1
Dairy
7
Cheese:
all cheese and cheese items
39 4
Fluid Milk:
flavored and unflavored milks
52 3
Savory Snacks:
chips, crackers, popcorn, pretzels
46
5
Salad Dressings/Spreads/Dips:
dressings, mayonnaise, butter, margarine, dips
47
4
Condiments/Sauces/Pickled Vegetables:
catsup, salsa, soy sauce, barbeque
sauce, pickles, sauerkraut
42
4
Soups:
canned and home recipe
13
4
†
Food categories not listed including beverages, ice cream/dairy items, nuts/seeds, fruits, sugar/substitutes, baby foods,
other miscellaneous foods each contribute ≤3% of sodium.
‡
Percentage of individuals reporting the foods in the category at least once on the day.
SOURCE: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008, Day 1 dietary intake data, weighted.
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