Sandwiches Lead U.S. Adults' Protein Intake
A CDC report finds sandwiches are the top food category contributing protein to the diets of American adults ages 20 and older.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Nutrition
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A National Center for Health Statistics report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found sandwiches were the leading food category contributing to protein intake among U.S. adults ages 20 and older. The analysis drew on NHANES dietary recall data collected from August 2021 through August 2023.
Why it matters
The finding offers a population-level picture of where American adults get their protein, which can inform nutrition guidance and public health messaging. It also highlights how commonly eaten mixed foods can be a major dietary protein source.
The analysis used NHANES dietary recall data from August 2021 through August 2023, grouping foods into 49 categories based only on each participant's first 24-hour recall. The exact percentage of protein attributed to sandwiches and the margin over other categories are not stated in the extraction.
The players
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC is the U.S. federal public health agency that conducts national health surveys and publishes research on diet, disease, and population health.
National Center for Health Statistics
The NCHS is the CDC division that collects and analyzes national health data, including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The details
Participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey recalled what they ate over two 24-hour periods, and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics grouped the reported foods into 49 categories. The report identified sandwiches as the leading category for protein contribution among adults ages 20 and older.
Timeline
August 2021 through August 2023: NHANES data collection period analyzed in the report.
November 3, 2026: Report published.
Nutrition Context
The finding is built on NHANES, the long-running National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that the CDC uses to track American diets. It adds a food-category view of protein sources to the survey's established dietary recall data.
For adults trying to meet protein needs, the finding suggests that sandwiches are a common everyday source, so the composition of those sandwiches matters. Readers can use this as a reference point when reviewing their own meal patterns.
The takeaway
Commonly eaten mixed foods like sandwiches can be a significant part of daily protein intake, so pairing them with thoughtful fillings can help shape a balanced diet.
Further reading
Explore more on Nutrition to see how everyday foods fit into protein and overall dietary patterns across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Food & Wine.
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