Launch the media gallery 1 playerColor Your Plate
August 30, 2017
Color Your Plate: The good news is that eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help prevent many of the nation's most deadly and debilitating diseases. The bad news is that less than 75 percent of Americans eat the minimum five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans eat the most fruit in the summer. But even at our best we eat only 54 percent of the recommended servings of fruit.
During the winter, fruit consumption slips to a record low 44 percent of the recommended servings. This winter slump probably has its roots in a time when supplies of summer fruit ended with the U.S. growing season. Fortunately, in our global society there are winter fruits available, such as, raspberries, blueberries, and cherries, which contain powerful antioxidant phytonutrients that studies suggest may prevent coronary artery disease and certain cancers. Sweet cherries, blueberries, and raspberries are also good sources of fiber and vitamin C. But most importantly, the wonderful taste of fresh fruit during the winter is a sure way to beat the winter slump and hit the five fruit and vegetable servings each day.
