Most Americans are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. In fact the Center for Disease Control, CDC, has a new initiative to get the majority of Americans to eat 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables a day by the year 2010. The question is, are these government objectives going to make a difference in reducing diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disease?
The CDC recently published their 2005 research project called Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Adults –
US
.
The research was conducted by phone survey. The surveyors were instructed to ask 6 questions of the respondents:
1) How often do you drink fruit juices such as orange, grapefruit, or tomato?
2) Not counting juice, how often do you eat fruit?
3) How often do you eat green salad?
4) How often do you eat potatoes, not including French fries, fried potatoes, or potato chips?
5) How often do you eat carrots?
6) Not counting carrots, potatoes, or salad, how many servings of vegetables do you usually eat?
Although a serving size was not defined to the respondents, the research results stated that only 33% of adults eat 2 or more servings fruit daily and only 27% of adults eat 3 or more servings of vegetables a day. This research found that vegetable consumption actually has decreased slightly since 2002.
Although we commend the
US
government for making baby steps to raising consciousness about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, in our opinion they do not go far enough in emphasizing the connection between food and disease. Nor do they go far enough in empowering people to avoid the many diseases that are largely caused by poor nutrition. Additionally, they are very wishy, washy when it comes to stating the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. For example in their Q&A section they answer the question “does Juice count towards my recommended fruit intake?” with double speak…
“While 100% juice can count towards your intake, the majority of your choices should be whole or cut-up fruits (fresh, frozen, canned, or dried). These fruit choices are better options because they contain dietary fiber. ½ cup (4 fluid ounces) of 100% fruit juice does count as ½ cup of fruit in meeting your requirements.”
Another point of confusion has to do with what constitutes a serving. The CDC states their goal for 2010 is to get Americans to eat 2 servings of fruits a day and 3 servings of vegetables. Elsewhere in their initiative they have stated they no longer use servings because serving sizes are confusing.
Now they state sizes in terms of cups of fruits and vegetables they recommend. So essentially their goal for 2010 is to get the majority of Americans to eat 1 cup of fruit daily and 1.5 cups of vegetables. This is hardly enough fruits and vegetables to put a dent in the problem of obesity, diabetes and heart disease if Americans keep eating fast foods, meats, dairy and processed foods at the rate they do now.
Not to mention that according to the CDC a serving of fruit could be the equivalent of applesauce, canned fruit or a cup of 100% juice. These processed fruits simply do not have the health benefits of a piece of whole fresh fruit. Additionally, research has shown that it is largely raw fruits and vegetables that give the most protection against cancer and other diseases. There is even much anecdotal evidence of individuals experiencing healing from serious diseases by changing their diet to a mainly raw food, vegan diet (See testimonies at www.hacres.com)
The best thing you can do for your health is to eliminate processed foods from your diet and choose to eat whole foods as close to the garden as possible. At the least make it your aim to eat raw fruits and vegetables with every meal. At best make it your aim to make raw fruits and vegetables your main meal, rather than the condiment of your meal.
By making these changes you will feel better, look better and do much to protect yourself from the deadly diseases that plague Americans who eat the Standard American or SAD diet.
