Only 10% of Americans Are Actually Eating Enough Fruit and Vegetables

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A mere 1 in 10 Americans actually manage to meet the federal recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As we all brace ourselves for the food blitz that is the holiday season, this discovery comes as a sobering reminder that, despite our love for food, most of us still aren't giving our bodies everything they need each day.

The study found that only 12% of adults are eating enough fruit every day. Even worse, a meager 9% of adults eat enough vegetables. It looks like those bad veggie-hating habits from childhood haven't worn off for the majority of us.

The worst demographics in terms of sufficient fruit and vegetable consumption were men, young adults, and those living in poverty.

According to the CDC, "Seven of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States are from chronic diseases. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables daily can help reduce the risk of many leading causes of illness and death, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity."

So, with grocery stores and supermarkets in every town, why aren't we eating enough? The CDC theorizes that it has to do with cost, availability, and preparation time constraints.

Not all of these issues are easy for us to solve, but as individuals we can make efforts to improve our own consumption, as well as that of our family and perhaps even friends. For example, we can learn about ways to make produce last longer, find easy go-to recipes that you know won't take too long to make, and discover which fruits and vegetables you can easily buy once and regrow at home.

Considering the serious consequences of fruit and vegetable under-consumption, this is something that should really be a high priority, so what better time to experiment in the kitchen and find out just how delicious these food groups can be? Here are 20 ways to cook vegetables that will change your life!

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