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Broader Dietary Value of Food Category Contributors to Sodium Intake

Sodium and Food Categories

At IAFNS, we advance food safety through rigorous research, collaboration, and science-based guidance.

Sodium Intake and Food Category Contributions

Background

As noted in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report, there is significant overlap between food categories that contribute to sodium intake and to vegetable intake. To ensure appropriate and effective messaging, dietary guidance, and food development or modification, it is important to understand the totality of nutrients and food groups provided by commonly consumed high-sodium foods.
This applies whether they are in excess or support meeting dietary recommendations.

The IAFNS Sodium in Food & Health Implications Committee promotes a science-based approach to research on sodium in foods and food patterns to advance public health. See recent publications and upcoming events to learn more about the committee’s work.

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Project Overview

In this project, national health and nutrition survey data (NHANES) from 2017-2018 will be examined to identify the top food category contributors to sodium intake. The analysis will break out data by racial and ethnic groups, and by poverty-to-income ratio.

Analysis Goals

Intake of these food categories will be evaluated for the contribution to food groups and nutrient intake relative to dietary recommendations. This information will provide clarity on the broader
contribution of these foods to better inform dietary guidance and messaging.

Investigators

Mavra Ahmed, PhD

University of Toronto

Mary L'Abbe, PhD

University of Toronto

Open Science

Aligned with IAFNS’ commitment to open science practices, this project has been added to the IAFNS Collection on the Open Science Framework. Note: this link redirects you to an external website.

Publications

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Do Top Food Category Contributors to Sodium Intake Also Provide Additional Nutritional Value? Examining Dietary Contributions Beyond Sodium

Nutrition Today, 2026

The top 15 sodium food contributors have been previously identified, but their dietary contributions to other nutrients and food groups are unknown. The objective of this research is to determine nutrient and food group contributions of the top food sources of sodium.

Read more about Do Top Food Category Contributors to Sodium Intake Also Provide Additional Nutritional Value? Examining Dietary Contributions Beyond Sodium

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