In addition to the recommendations for dark, salad, and starchy vegetables, at least one
half serving of cruciferous vegetables, 0.3 servings of tomato, and 0.7 servings of any
other vegetable is advised.
Despite the known benefits, many people do not eat recommended levels of
fruits and vegetables. In some cases the gap between average and recommended
consumption is quite large. McNamara et al. estimate that consumption of dark
vegetables would need to increase by over 300 percent in order to meet minimum
recommendations (1999).
CURRENT CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Current consumption of fruits and vegetables is far below recommended levels.
Based on the California Survey of Dietary Practices, average consumption of fruits is
1.85 servings a day and average consumption of vegetables is 1.89 servings (Table 1).
Fruit consumption would need to increase by 62 percent and vegetable consumption by
113 percent to achieve the minimum recommendation.
When categories are broken down into subgroups, greater variation in meeting
targeted levels is apparent. California consumers come closest to meeting the target
level for tomatoes. A 15 percent increase in this vegetable is all that is needed to meet
recommendations. At the other end of the spectrum, consumption of dark vegetables
would need to increase by over 200 percent.
The consumption levels calculated from the California Survey on Dietary
Practices are consistent with the results of estimates from national studies for most food