The pie charts illustrate the average percentages of three nutrients — sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar — in typical meals consumed by Americans.
Overall, dinner has the highest proportions of sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks contain the most added sugar. In contrast, breakfast contributes the least to all three nutrients.
To begin with, the largest share of sodium and saturated fat is found in dinner, accounting for 43% and 37%, respectively. Lunch ranks second, contributing 29% of sodium and just over a quarter of saturated fat. The combined proportion in snacks and breakfast is lower, not exceeding 22%. Sodium levels in these two meals are also relatively low, at just 14%.
Snacks contain the highest amount of added sugar, at 42%. Dinner comes next with 23%, followed closely by lunch at 19%. Breakfast contributes the least, at only 16%.
