Skip to main content

Table 1 Contribution of the top 10 calories sources in the US diet to nutrient intakes

From: Major food sources of calories, added sugars, and saturated fat and their contribution to essential nutrient intakes in the U.S. diet: data from the national health and nutrition examination survey (2003–2006)

Calories sources

% total kcal intake

Macronutrients

% total intake

Micronutrients and fiber*

% total intake

Cakes, cookies, quick bread, pastry, pie

7.2

Carbohydrates

8.7

Iron

6.2

Fat

7.7

Folate

5.9

Protein

2.5

Fiber

5.1

Vitamin E

6.6

Thiamin

6.0

Yeast breads and rolls

7.1

Carbohydrates

10.5

Fiber

10.8

Fat

2.7

Calcium

7.0

Protein

6.4

Folate

16.2

    

Iron

12.4

Thiamin

14.4

Niacin

9.9

Sodium

8.7

Riboflavin

7.8

Magnesium

5.9

Soft drinks, soda (includes diet)

5.4

Carbohydrates

11.2

  

Fat

<0.1

Protein

0.4

Beef

4.7

Carbohydrates

<0.1

Vitamin B12

18.6

Fat

7.5

Iron

6.5

Protein

13.4

Zinc

20.1

Niacin

8.8

Vitamin B6

8.2

Phosphorus

6.3

Crackers, popcorn, pretzels, chips

4.7

Carbohydrates

4.7

Fiber

6.3

Fat

6.3

Vitamin E

9.4

Protein

2.0

Magnesium

5.3

Cheese

4.6

Carbohydrates

0.5

Calcium

21.0

Fat

8.9

Vitamin B12

6.6

Protein

8.8

Phosphorus

11.4

Vitamin A

9.2

Sodium

7.6

Zinc

7.5

Riboflavin

5.2

Milk

4.6

Carbohydrates

3.6

Vitamin D

49.5

Fat

4.6

Calcium

25.3

Protein

8.3

Potassium

11.6

Vitamin B12

17.1

Riboflavin

16.5

Vitamin A

16.1

Phosphorus

14.4

Magnesium

7.9

Zinc

7.0

Candy, sugars and sugary foods

4.5

Carbohydrates

7.7

  

Fat

2.1

Protein

0.7

Poultry

4.3

Carbohydrates

0.5

Niacin

15.1

Fat

5.5

Vitamin B6

9.1

Protein

14.0

Phosphorus

6.6

Zinc

6.0

Alcoholic beverages

3.7

Carbohydrates

1.6

  

Fat

<0.1

Protein

0.6

  1. *Micronutrients and fiber are shown when the food contributes ≥ 5% of the total daily intake. Micronutrients recognized by the 2010 DGA as nutrients of public health concern are calcium, vitamin D, potassium and fiber, and nutrients identified as those to encourage for specific subpopulations are vitamin B12, iron and folate. Folate is reported as Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFE).