According to a Gallup and Heathways poll, Americans’ eating habits got worse in 2013, with produce consumption declining in most months, compared to polls in 2012. Fewer adults are reporting eating healthy “all day yesterday” in every month this year compared to the same months last year.
The percentage of U.S. adults who ate “healthy” declined from about 67% in 2012 to 63 to 65% in 2012. At least 500 Americans take place in this poll each month.
Health eating usually follows a seasonal pattern. People start out in January eating more healthy foods, but that number gradually declines into the spring months. Produce consumption increases slightly in the summer months, then declines to a low in December, most likely because of holiday indulgence. Fewer Americans eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables at least four days a week in most months.
The actual recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables depends on sex, age, and level of physical activity, according to ChooseMyPlate.gov. Health experts say that half of your plate should hold fruits and vegetables. Most adults should eat at least 2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day. Children should eat 1 to 1-1/2 cups every day.
The number of recommended daily servings varies depending on the source. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, dietary guidelines call for five to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables per day, depending on dietary guidelines. For a person consuming 2,000 calories a day, this is 4-1/2 cups, or 2 cups of fruits and 2-1/2 cups of vegetables.
