The CDC’s latest nutrition data puts a familiar lunch staple at the top of the list. In a data brief published October 7, 2026, the agency reported that sandwiches were the leading source of protein for U.S. adults, ahead of poultry, mixed meat dishes, and meat.
That finding comes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which looked at what Americans ate during August 2021 through August 2023. For home cooks, it is a useful reminder that protein often comes from full meals and mixed dishes, not just a plain piece of chicken or a scoop of Greek yogurt.
Sandwiches Led Protein Intake for Adults
According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, adults age 20 and older got 15.5% of their calories from protein on a given day during August 2021 through August 2023. Among adults, sandwiches accounted for 15.6% of total protein intake, making them the top contributor overall. Poultry followed at 9.4%, then mixed meat dishes at 6.4%, meat at 6.0%, and mixed grain dishes at 4.8%.
The report notes that sandwiches in this category include burgers, which helps explain why the number is so high. It is not a ranking of single ingredients alone. Instead, it reflects t...