Are you eating enough fruits and veggies? The Centers for Disease Control doesn't think so, according to its new report.
Just over 1 in 10 adults meet the federal fruit or vegetable recommendation, the study revealed. For fruits, it’s just 12 percent. Although it’s slight improvement from last year when it was just 9 percent, Americans still aren’t getting the proper amount of nutrition.
Federal guidelines recommend that adults eat at least 1½ to 2 cups per day of fruit and 2 to 3 cups per day of vegetables. Doing so can help reduce the risk of many leading causes of illness and death, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity.
“This report highlights that very few Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day, putting them at risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease,” said Seung Hee Lee Kwan of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity and lead author of the study. “As a result, we’re missing out on the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that fruits and vegetables provide.”
Furthermore, researchers found that consumption was lower among men, young adults, and adults living in poverty
Why aren’t we eating enough?
The CDC says high cost, limited availability and access, and perceived lack of cooking or preparation can get in the way of a healthy diet.
To combat the issue, the organization suggests starting farm-to-institution programs in childcare, schools and hospitals. They also think retailers should sell higher quality of fruits and vegetables and that workplace, hospitals and universities should ensure access to these foods in its cafeterias.
Want to learn more about the study? Take a look at the full report here.
