To investigate the relationship between nutrient intake and a straightforward Japanese nutritional goal of consuming a meal that includes staple, main and side dishes (SMS meal) more than twice a day.

This was a cross-sectional, observational study using the data from de-identified records of the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary assessment was conducted using semi-weighed dietary records that were completed on one weekday.

A home-based setting in Japan.

30 269 subjects (male n 14 284; female n 15 985) aged ≥6 years (6–103 years, mean 50·4 (sd 22·3) years).

As the frequency of SMS meals increased, we found a higher intake of most nutrients and each food group. Subjects who consumed SMS meals at least twice a day were more likely to meet the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for Japan compared with subjects who consumed an SMS meal once a day or less. However, the frequency of SMS meals did not necessarily ensure that DRI for Japan for saturated fatty acid, vitamin A, vitamin B1, calcium, iron and salt were met.

Consuming SMS meals at least twice a day is a useful and straightforward nutrition goal to achieve adequate intake of some nutrients. However, it is necessary to provide the public with more information on foodstuff choice to ensure an adequate intake of all nutrients.