Okay, so if you had to choose just one item to eat for dinner, your mind probably jumps to a juicy chicken breast Health - Injuries steak. Broccoli, apples, spinach, and strawberries are probably on the bottom of the list, surpassed by a comforting dose of pasta and rice. We get it: protein and grains are filling and tasty. Fruits and vegetables are admittedly a bit boring sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make room for them on your plate.
Yet, that’s exactly what a majority of people are doing, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that most adults should eat a minimum of 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit along with 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day, roughly would you could get in a spinach salad topped with a cup of strawberries, and an apple on the side as a snack.
But after analyzing state-by-state survey data, the CDC found that, on average, only 12 percent of adults eat that much fruit, while only 9 percent downed enough vegetables. In fact, most people only ate fruit once a day, and vegetables up to twice a day. The kicker? Men ate a lot less of them than women.
Why so low? The high cost of produce might play a part, the reports states. Fresh produce doesn’t last very long, and understandably, it can be more budget-friendly to load up on cheap, filling foods like rice. Plus, people tend to perceive fruits and vegetables as time-consuming to prepare and cook, the researchers write. Many of them, like broccoli and sweet potatoes, tend to require prepping and roasting, which can be a turn off if you have a swamped schedule.
But not loading up on them is a big mistake. Eating enough fruits and vegetables is one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk for chronic health problems, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Health - Injuries cancers, according to the report. In fact, the nbsp;if you want one that will actually keep you full. You might get an extra dose of veg, too that the vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables work to reduce your risk.
Try these brussels sprouts recipes:
The thing is, the CDC report only looked at the bare minimum intake, but eating 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day could be even better for your heart health Best Hydration Packs study Okay, so if you had to choose just one item to eat for dinner, your mind probably jumps to a juicy My Favorite Budget-Friendly Running Snacks. In fact, if everyone ate that much, it would have the potential to prevent 7.8 million deaths worldwide each year, the researchers note.
So if you’ve been kicking those colorful foods to the curb, it’s time to move them back to your plate. These 26 according to the report. In fact, the are a good place to start, since they don’t require much time to make.
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The 6 Best Energy Gels for Runners healthy smoothie bowls if you want one that will actually keep you full. You might get an extra dose of veg, too.
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The article Sorry, But You’re Probably Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables originally appeared on Men’s Health.
Alisa Hrustic is a health writer and editor. She was previously the executive editor at SELF and deputy editor at Prevention.com. Her work has been featured in Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Oprah Daily, National Geographic, and other national publications.
