Under Consumption: Fruits & Vegetables

UNDER -20% FRUITS CONSUMPTION: 1/2 FRUITS&VEGETABLES of your plate at any given meal should Fruits and Vegetables are the most important part of a daily diet. be made of fruits Most are nutrient dense, readily available, and also affordable. and vegetables Suggested consumption varies based on age, weight, physical activity and more. However, it is similar across the country in a sense that Americans should be eating more fresh fruits and veg- 50% etables, and they are not. This is not due to one factor, but a com- 30% bination of many. The abundance of fast food restaurants and GRAINS & VEGETABLES processed foods in grocery stores doesn't help. Also, many Amer- PROTEIN icans wrongly believe that it's cheaper to buy and eat things other than fresh fruits and vegetables. If you make an effort to fill your plate with an abundance of colorful, plant-based foods, your body will thank you later. Information Graphic by RACHEL KEAVENY Are Americans following this recommendation? ADULTS WHO HAVE CONSUMED FRUITS & VEGETABLES LESS THAN 5 TIMES A DAY 2009 CDC report BEST WASHINGTON D.C. 31.5% of the adult popu- lation consumes fruits and veggies more than 5 times a day. WORST OKLAHOMA Only 14.6% of the adult 60-74.99% population consumes fruits and veggies more 75-90% than 5 times a day HI FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE MORE AVAILABLE THAN EVER FOR CONSUMERS, BUT CONSUMPTION IS NOT STEADILY RISING 450 400 350 300 250 200 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 FRUITS VEGETABLES Why is it important? Eating the right amount of fruits and vegetables is essential because they are overloaded with important vitamins and minerals. Each nutrient has its own job for the human body. However you can obtain these vitamins and minerals from several different fruits and vegetables, sometimes simultaneously. KIWI ORANGE BLUEBERRIES APPLE BANANA STRAWBERRIES WATERMELON FIBER VITAMIN A VITAMIN C IRON MAGNESIUM POTASSIUM Decreases risk of cor- onary heart disease Keeps eyes and skin healthy Helps maintain healthy blood pressure Keeps teeth and gums healthy Helps to heal wounds Helps to maintain healthy, strong bones Necessary for the normal functioning of all cells and for healthy blood Helps maintain bowel health Protects against infection Helps regulate blood glucose levels Helps move nutrients into cells move waste out ARTICHOKE NOINO KALE TOMATO BROCCOLI CARROT SPINACH SOYBEANS SWEET POTATO SOURCES: cdc.gov, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/, fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org, usda.gov, census.gov POUNDS CONSUMED PER CAPITA