Question 2
The National Cancer Institute’s "5 A Day For Better Health" campaign recommends 2.5 C. of any combination of F/V per day for the typical American. The study states that American meet 59% and 42% of the goal for vegetables and fruits, respectively. Does it surprise you that more Americans are meeting the recommendations for vegetables than fruits? Consider that the 5 A Day campaign does not exclude starchy vegetables such as potatoes. How might this affect those statistics?
posted by Kaitlin Faletti @ 6:54 AM
17 comments
17 Comments:
Yes, it did surprise me that more Americans consume vegetables over fruits because my personal observations in school foodservice indicates otherwise. Perhaps the difference is due to the types of fruits Americans eat. I’m pretty sure the campaign included only 100% fruit juices and canned fruits in natural juices or water only, and I suspect that many fruit portions Americans consume are sugar-sweetened. About potatoes, I’d venture to say that the statistics would reflect a greater intake of vegetables if potatoes, especially those without excessive added sodium and fat, were included in the list. In addition, greater intakes of vitamin C would be noted as potatoes are an excellent source.
Actually, no it doesn't surprise me that more people eat veggies over fruits. I personally eat more veggies with lunch and dinner since I eat something savory most of the time which veggies blend better with. I really have to get in the mood for something sweet, which usually happens at the end of my meals when I am already full. Call me odd, but I just can't mix my foods that much. I believe that a bunch of people like drinking their fruits instead of going through the hassel of peeling, washing, and cutting. Like Lynetta said, most of the people may try to count their sugar-sweetened fruity beverage as a fruit serving, but the campaign didn't.
That's an interesting point about the starchy vegetables. Many people do go for the comfort vegetables such as potatoes. The statistics would go down a good amount if the starchy vegetables would be excluded.
Before even reading this question I was very surprised that Americans were eating more vegetables than fruit. I do think that since starchy vegetables such as potatoes were included in that statistic that the percentage of vegetables eaten by Americans would go down some. I am the opposite of Carly where I can easily add a fruit to each meal whereas vegetables are more difficult. I would agree with Lynetta and Carly that many Americans, especially children, drink sugar sweetened juices instead of the whole fruit or 100% juice.
Sarah S said...
It does not surprise me to see that statistic considering they include potatoes. From what I've seen, most people will eat starchy vegetables without a problem, but don't want to eat a lot of the other ones like cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, beans, etc. I was surprised that the number for fruits was so low, though, as I would think that most people would find them easy to eat; they are easy to grab on the go and don't require much preparation. However, I guess when craving something sweet people find it just as easy to grab a candy bar.
Sarah S said...
I agree with Carly that the statistic would probably go down if potatoes were excluded from the list. Actually, if all starchy vegetables were excluded I wonder just how low it would go.
I am surprised that the consumption is higher for vegetables even with the starchy vegetables are included. I have always seen fruits having a better reception than vegetables, and think people would consume more with all of the fruit juices people are drinking. However, f starchy vegetables were not included, the statistic would definitely go down.
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I am not surprised at all by these findings. I agree that when most Americans want something sweet they are more likely to turn to candy, cake, or even soda before they turn to fruit. Especially since potatoes are included I would have thought the number for vegetables to be higher. A typical meal for most people across the Midwest is meat and potatoes. Or some may even do a meat, a starch (more potatoes), and a vegetable. I can easily see how this would be higher than fruit consumption. I also agree that if potatoes were no longer included we would see a significant decrease.
Knowing that the 5 a day campaign includes starchy vegetables, this statistic does not surprise me. I have seen many people who often eat a form of potatoes and corn or peas during dinner time. Plus, the selection of canned and frozen vegetables is much greater than it is for fruits. It is easier to vary your veggies when the selection is large. Choices of frozen fruits often seem limited and sometimes unappetizing after they have thawed. I would be interested to see statistics on fresh vs frozen or canned fruit and vegetable consumption as well as starchy vs non starchy vegetable.
Courtney made a good point about the amount of canned and frozen vegetable sections at grocery stores. There is usually and entire side of an aisle designated to canned vegetables. When there is only a small little section for fruit. That makes a huge difference for consumption.
I agree with Courtney and Erin that vegetables are more predominately found in frozen and canned. It's just not the same eating a bowl of half frozen, limp fruits versus a fresh, crisp bowl. I sometimes prefer frozen vegetables over even fresh. It would be interesting to see the results change from season to season also. My guess is that during the summer season, fruits may creep up very closely to the vegetable statistic.
I think that Erin has a good point that when a person wants something sweet they are likely to turn to candy rather than to fruit.
It doesn't surprise me that more people are meeting their vegetable recommendation more that fruits due to the inclusion of starchy items and other food products we as dietitians wouldn't consider a good vegetable source for vitamins and minerals. Many people are not as willing to try different types of fruits and get sick of apples, oranges, and bananas quickly. I have talked to people who consider ketchup, fries, and sugared juices as servings of fruits or vegetables. The inclusion of starchy vegetables is most likely increasing the consumption close to double in my mind.
Courtney presents a good point that the canned and frozen options are greater and possible more accepted for vegetables than for fruits.
This is a great, well thought out question. Knowing that starchy veggies are not excluded in the study, I am not surprised at veggies surpassing fruits. Also, at least personally I know I eat more veggies than fruits. Others I talk to say it is more difficult to eat a lot of fruit and they might have 1 serving of it each day. It is easier I think to sneak veggies into whatever you are cooking, whether it is a sandwich or pasta sauce. I also wonder if tomato sauce & ketchup were included in the study? Tomato sauce and potatoes are probably the most common vegetable forms for Americans, so this wouldn't surprise me.
Carly, I agree about eating more vegetables than fruits. It is easier to eat them, I think. I usually have to constantly remind myself to eat fruit if I have bought it for the week, whereas veggies are my base for any meal. Fruit is kind of messy as a snack and the work involved might turn people off.
I like Courtney's comment, and also agree it would be interesting to see stats on fresh v frozen/canned, and starchy v non-startchy. I guess since we have a hard enough time getting people to eat any vegetables that it wasn't as important to clarify if it was starchy or not.
I think it was a good point to make that many people think they are getting their fruits through sugar sweetened beverages. Therefore, they do not bother with cutting and washing real fruits.
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