Only 12 percent of adults met the recommendations for fruit, ranging from 7 percent in West Virginia to 16 percent in Washington, D. Results showed that consumption was lower among men, young adults, and adults living in poverty.
Seven of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States are from chronic diseases. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables daily can help reduce the risk of many leading causes of illness and death, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity.
The findings indicate a need to identify and address barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption. The CDC Guide to Strategies to Increase the Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables pdf icon suggests 10 strategies to increase access to fruits and vegetables, including these:. There are lots of ways to disguise vegetables so that a little kid will eat them spinach or kale disappear into fruit smoothies, for example.
Both boys and girls in this age group should eat one and a half cups of vegetables each day. In terms of preparation, it's fine for four- to eight-year-olds to eat a combination of raw and cooked veggies. Keep in mind that four-year-olds are still at risk of choking on raw vegetables, so cut carrots, bell peppers, and so forth into pieces no larger than a half-inch long so that if your child inadvertently swallows one without chewing properly it won't get stuck in his throat.
Steamed, baked, and roasted vegetables are healthier than fried. Once kids reach the tween years, their nutritional needs begin to vary slightly based on sex. The recommended daily amount of vegetables for girls in this age group is at least two cups. For boys, the recommendation is at least two and a half cups. Note that kids of either gender who are especially active would likely benefit from eating more than the suggested minimum of vegetables.
Research shows that boys tend to eat fewer vegetables and fruits than girls. Offer as much variety in terms of vegetables and preparation as you can to find those that your boys most enjoy. Teenage girls should eat at least two and a half cups of vegetables every day.
Teenage boys should eat at least three cups of vegetables daily. Teens who are active and get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day may need more.
Of course, as kids get older and spend more time eating away from home it can be harder to monitor their vegetable intake. And even gentle and well-meaning reminders to include vegetables when making meal choices may backfire: Teenagers are notorious for doing the opposite of what parents say. Just make sure that all family meals include a variety of healthfully prepared vegetables raw in salads, steamed, roasted, and baked as a side dish, folded into omelets, added to soups and stews, layers on pizza, and so forth.
And make it easy for teens to grab veggies between meals. Keep pre-cut carrots, celery, and bell peppers front and center in the fridge alongside hummus or guacamole for dipping. For people ages 19 to 30, the recommended daily amount of vegetables is the same as for teens: at least three cups a day for men and at least two and a half cups for women.
Those who exercise for at least a half hour every day should include even more vegetables in their diets. If you find it tough to get in all the vegetables you need each day due to a busy lifestyle, take advantage of eat-and-run options like smoothies that include vegetables, pre-tossed salads, and prepped-for-cooking vegetables at the grocery store.
They're often a bit more expensive than whole vegetables, but if the time saved makes it easier for you to eat your veggies, it may be worth it. As with younger people, the amount of vegetables you should aim for if you're a woman is at least two and a half cups each day, and at least three cups if you're a man. Shoot for even more if you work out or are physically active for a half hour or more each day.
Continue to stick with raw or healthfully prepared veggies. A baked or roasted potato is much more nutritious and lower in fat and calories than French fries, for example. Because the body's metabolism tends to slow with age, people 51 and older are advised to cut calories in general to prevent weight gain. This rule applies to calories from vegetables as well. Women 51 and older should dial back to around two cups of vegetables per day; men of the same age should get around two and a half cups.
Active older adults should continue to factor in the amount of physical activity they get, however. If you're in this age group, talk to your doctor or see a nutritionist if you'd like more specific guidance about the number of vegetables—and other foods—you should include in your diet each day to live a healthy lifestyle as you age.
Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only 1 in 10 adults get enough fruits or vegetables. Most fresh vegetables found in supermarkets are picked before they are fully ripe to prevent spoilage during transportation. In comparison, frozen vegetables are generally picked at their ripest and most nutritious point. Generally speaking, studies show little difference in nutrient levels between fresh and frozen vegetables. Nevertheless, vegetables freshly picked from your garden or from a local farmer likely contain the most nutrients 37 , When it comes to canned vegetables , the heating process used during manufacturing may also reduce certain nutrient levels 39 , They may also contain trace amounts of bisphenol-A BPA , a chemical linked to poor fertility, low birth weight, heart disease and type 2 diabetes 41 , 42 , 43 , Juicing has become a popular and easy way to add vegetables to your diet.
However, juicing tends to remove fiber, which is very important to health. Studies also show that antioxidants naturally bound to plant fibers may also be lost in the juicing process 45 , 46 , For these reasons, fresh or frozen vegetables are generally preferred over canned or juiced varieties. Vegetables contain an impressive amount of nutrients. Moreover, they are linked to a lower risk of many diseases, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease and some cancers.
Eating enough servings of vegetables each day may even help prevent premature death. Regarding how many servings of veggies you should eat, most studies note the greatest benefits when people eat 3—4 portions per day. You can eat your veggies in a variety of forms — including store-bought, frozen, canned or juiced — though freshly picked, ripe vegetables are still the best option. For 17 creative ways to add more vegetables to your diet, check out this article. Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are processed and stored differently.
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