AMERICANS STILL NOT EATING ENOUGH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Despite mom's good advice, most of us aren't eating our fruits and vegetables, at least not enough of them, according to a large recently released government study.

Only about 27 percent of adults in the USA ate vegetables three or more times a day in 2005, and 33percent ate fruit two or more times a day that year. A higher percentage of women than men ate this much, according to interviews with more than 305,000 people conducted for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Research shows that diets high in these foods decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and help with weight control. For years, the government's dietary guidelines have recommended that people eat at least two servings of fruits and at least three servings of vegetables daily. Now the guidelines are more specific, suggesting consumption of at least 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day for someone eating about 2,000 calories.

Other findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System:

• College graduates have the highest level of vegetable intake.
• Hispanics have the highest intake of fruit consumption and lowest intake of vegetables.
• Whites have the highest intake of vegetables.

The CDC's Larry Cohen says people may not be eating these nutrient-rich foods because of cost, lack of time for preparation or lack of easy access to them.

To get people to eat more of these nutrient-rich foods, the CDC, the Produce for Better Health Foundation and other leading health groups are launching a new initiative Monday called "Fruits & Veggies — More Matters." This will replace the "5 A Day" campaign. This will be a "rallying cry" to get people to eat more fruits and vegetables, says Elizabeth Pivonka, president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation. She says the group's research with moms shows that they know their families should be consuming more fruits and veggies, but they don't know how to work more into their diets. "They told us that they didn't want to be lectured to or made to feel guilty or scared into eating more fruits and vegetables. They wanted help and ideas on how to do what they already know that they should do."