Not Enough Fruit and Vegetable, Says the CDC

Less than a third of Adults in America eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Government health officials said Thursday that this is not a new trend, it's been going on for more than a decade but it's time to really make an effort to stress the importance of proper nutrition.

According to the United States Center for Disease Control the goal is to have at least 75 percent of adults in out country eating two or more fruit servings per day and 50 percent eating the recommended 3 servings of vegetables.

Results of a recent study done in every state with over 300,000 adult Americans show that the fruit and vegetable goal is not even close to being met. The hope has been that by the year 2010 our country will be healthier as more of us consume the daily recommended amounts of fruits and veggies.

Spokesperson's for the CDC claim that the goal is still possible and within reach, despite the fact that the data has remained the same since 1994, fruit and vegetable consumption is just not a high priority for the average American.

The plan is to promote the benefits of getting vital nutrients from eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits so that adults will become more aware of what they are consuming. What has happened is that most people seem to be eating more protein, carbohydrates and other refined sugars in place of healthy alternatives. Fruits are recommended twice a day at ½ cup equaling one serving. Vegetables should be part of your diet at least 3 times daily with 1 cup being a good amount each serving.

The survey showed that young adults aged 18-24 ate the least amount of veggies and fruits daily while senior citizens consumed a larger amount. Many of the young adults admitted to avoiding vegetables almost all the time and if served them would toss them in the garbage, not even trying one bite.

Convenience and other quick packaged foods are making it easier to skip healthy fruits and vegetables. While many popular fast food restaurants have added salads and fruit cups to their menu, consumers are still opting for the fatty, unhealthy choices more often.

Fruits and vegetables are nutritious for a variety of reasons including being low fat, lower-calorie, immune system benefiting, cancer reducing, and overall help the body function to the best of its ability.

The CDC is working with programs such as the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to get more fresh fruits and veggies into schools. They've seemed to realize that the best way to improve the health of future adults in the country is to get the message across to the younger generation.

Less than a third of Adults in America eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. Government health officials said Thursday that this is not a new trend, it's been going on for more than a decade but it's time to really make an effort to stress the importance of proper nutrition.

According to the United States Center for Disease Control the goal is to have at least 75 percent of adults in out country eating two or more fruit servings per day and 50 percent eating the recommended 3 servings of vegetables.

Results of a recent study done in every state with over 300,000 adult Americans show that the fruit and vegetable goal is not even close to being met. The hope has been that by the year 2010 our country will be healthier as more of us consume the daily recommended amounts of fruits and veggies.

Spokesperson's for the CDC claim that the goal is still possible and within reach, despite the fact that the data has remained the same since 1994, fruit and vegetable consumption is just not a high priority for the average American.

The plan is to promote the benefits of getting vital nutrients from eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits so that adults will become more aware of what they are consuming. What has happened is that most people seem to be eating more protein, carbohydrates and other refined sugars in place of healthy alternatives. Fruits are recommended twice a day at ½ cup equaling one serving. Vegetables should be part of your diet at least 3 times daily with 1 cup being a good amount each serving.

The survey showed that young adults aged 18-24 ate the least amount of veggies and fruits daily while senior citizens consumed a larger amount. Many of the young adults admitted to avoiding vegetables almost all the time and if served them would toss them in the garbage, not even trying one bite.

Convenience and other quick packaged foods are making it easier to skip healthy fruits and vegetables. While many popular fast food restaurants have added salads and fruit cups to their menu, consumers are still opting for the fatty, unhealthy choices more often.

Fruits and vegetables are nutritious for a variety of reasons including being low fat, lower-calorie, immune system benefiting, cancer reducing, and overall help the body function to the best of its ability.

The CDC is working with programs such as the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to get more fresh fruits and veggies into schools. They've seemed to realize that the best way to improve the health of future adults in the country is to get the message across to the younger generation.

Daniel Lee "CDC: Too Few Eating Fruits, Vegetables" PHYSORG.com
http://www.physorg.com/news93194974.html

AP "CDC: Few Americans meet fruit, veggie guidelines" CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2007/health/diet.fitness/03/15/eat.your.veggies.ap/index.html

CDC. "Nutrition for Everyone: Fruits and Vegetables" CDC.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/fruits_vegetables/index.htm