These 3 foods are the top sources of sodium in Americans' diets

Pres. Trump, RFK Jr. make 'MAHA' announcement

President Trump and 'Make American Healthy Again' commission leaders discuss the first health report.

LOS ANGELES - Most adults in the United States are consuming far too much sodium, and new research shows which foods are to blame. 

A comprehensive analysis of national nutrition data identifies pizza, soup, and chicken as the leading sources of sodium across racial and ethnic groups. But the study also reveals important differences in how different communities consume and reduce sodium.

The findings highlight a major public health challenge. Despite increased awareness and attempts to cut back, more than 80 percent of U.S. adults still exceed recommended sodium limits. 

Health experts say targeted, culturally relevant strategies are needed to bring sodium intake down and reduce the risk of heart disease.

What are the top sources of sodium in American diets?

By the numbers:

The average sodium intake among U.S. adults is 3,346 milligrams per day, well above the federal recommendation of 2,300 milligrams. Researchers found that just 10 food categories account for roughly one-third to one-half of daily sodium consumption, depending on the group.

Pizza, soup, and whole pieces of chicken consistently ranked among the top sources for all racial and ethnic groups. However, some foods were unique to specific communities:

• Among Asian American adults, four sodium sources—soy-based condiments, fish, fried rice or lo mein, and stir-fry sauces—were not shared with other groups.
• For Mexican American adults, burritos and tacos were the number one source.
• Chicken patties, nuggets, and tenders were unique top sources among Black adults.

The backstory:

The study, based on pre-pandemic data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected from 2017 to 2020, analyzed sodium intake and behaviors across diverse populations. 

Researchers used a validated dietary recall method to assess food consumption and categorized the results by race and ethnicity.

Chicken nuggets are one of the top sodium sources in American diets, especially among Black adults, according to new NHANES data. (Lucia Buricelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A secondary analysis found that assuming rice is salted may lead to overestimates in sodium intake among Asian American and Hispanic adults. Adjusting this assumption lowered estimated intake for Asian American adults by more than 300 milligrams per day.

How do sodium behaviors vary across racial and ethnic groups?

What they're saying:

The study found meaningful differences in how communities approach sodium reduction. Black adults were the most likely to report that a doctor had advised them to reduce sodium (35 percent), while Asian American adults were the least likely (18 percent). 

Despite this, 66 percent of Asian American adults said they "very often" use salt during cooking, compared with just 32 percent of adults categorized as Other Race.

At the table, 39 percent of Asian American adults said they do not use salt, the highest rate among all groups. Most adults—regardless of race—reported using regular salt rather than lite salt or salt substitutes, which researchers say are still underused despite their potential health benefits.

What policies and tools could help reduce sodium intake?

What's next:

Public health experts say reducing sodium at a population level will require efforts on several fronts. Reformulating packaged foods could have a broad impact, especially since so much sodium comes from everyday items like bread, soups, and condiments. 

Voluntary sodium reduction targets, supported by the Food and Drug Administration, have had limited progress in recent years.

Another tool under consideration is front-of-pack labeling. Many adults do not use traditional nutrition labels, with up to 43 percent saying they rarely or never read them. More visual, user-friendly labeling systems—such as traffic light-style warnings—could help improve understanding and influence behavior.

Doctors and dietitians also play a critical role. The study emphasizes the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate health communication, especially for Asian American communities, where language barriers and lower rates of medical advice may hinder sodium reduction efforts.