Background: Salt (sodium) intake can vary across meals depending on the meal context and food types, including what and how much was consumed and where, when, and with whom it was consumed. However, their dynamic associations remain unclear. This study examined how meal context and food types are associated with salt intake at meals.
Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used data from 2757 adults aged 18–79 years. Ecological momentary assessment was conducted using eight-day dietary records to obtain information on meal context, food types, and salt intake.
Results: Multilevel linear regression analysis of 63,239 meals showed a higher absolute salt intake (g/meal) at lunch (β: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.51) and dinner (β: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.88) than at breakfast. In addition, salt intake from meals eaten on non-working or non-school days (β: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.13), in restaurants (β: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.45), and with one other person (β: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.12) was higher than that from meals eaten on working or school days, at home, and alone, respectively. Regarding food types, salt intake was significantly higher in meals containing staple foods (e.g., rice and bread), especially noodles (β: 2.29, 95% CI: 2.23, 2.36), as well as soup (β: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.09), pickles (β: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.75), reduced-salt seasonings (β: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.47), herbs and spices (β: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.16), citrus juice and vinegar (β: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.34), moderately processed meat and seafood (β: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.62), highly processed meat and seafood (β: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.61), and alcoholic beverages (β: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.41) than in meals without these foods. Consumption of salt-based seasonings and vegetables was positively associated with salt intake, whereas consuming fruit was associated with lower salt intake (β: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.09). Using salt intake density (g/100 kcal) per meal instead of absolute salt intake showed generally similar associations.
Conclusions: Meal context and food types were associated with salt intake. These findings would be useful for developing practical strategies for reducing salt intake.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12966-025-01780-1.
Keywords: Dietary record; Eating behavior; Ecological momentary assessment; Meal context; Sodium.