Understanding How Many People Eat Fruits and Vegetables Daily

October 17, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about one in ten adults in the United States eats the recommended daily amount of vegetables. This reveals a significant gap in understanding exactly how many people eat fruits and vegetables daily and meet nutritional guidelines.

Quick Summary

Global and national data reveals a significant portion of the population fails to meet recommended fruit and vegetable intake, despite high awareness of health benefits. Barriers like cost and convenience affect consumption across demographics, highlighting the need for targeted strategies.

Key Points

Low Global Intake: The World Health Organization recommends at least 400g of fruit and vegetables daily, but global data indicates a widespread failure to meet this target.
US Shortfall: In the United States, only about 10% of adults consume the recommended daily amount of vegetables and just over 12% meet the fruit recommendations.
Barriers to Intake: Major obstacles to consistent daily consumption include the high cost of fresh produce, limited access in certain communities, and a lack of time for preparation.
Not Just Any Produce: There is a large gap between those who consume any fruits or vegetables and those who consume the recommended quantity, meaning many miss out on key nutrients.
Accessible Alternatives: Frozen and canned produce are cost-effective, convenient, and nutritious alternatives to fresh options, especially for year-round consumption.
Targeted Strategies: Improving daily intake requires multi-level strategies, from promoting cooking education to incentivizing healthier food choices through public policy.

Global and Regional Consumption Patterns

While definitive global figures on how many people eat fruits and vegetables daily are complex due to varying data collection methods and regional differences, numerous studies highlight a widespread failure to meet recommended intake levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily intake of at least 400 grams, or five portions, of fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, many populations fall far short of this target.

In the European Union, a 2022 report found that 33% of the population in 2019 consumed no fruit or vegetables on a daily basis. The average EU citizen consumed between one and four portions, with only 12% consuming five or more portions daily. Significant variation existed between countries, from Ireland's 33% meeting the five-portion recommendation to Romania's mere 2%. A global survey in 52 low- and middle-income countries revealed even more inadequate intake, with over 77% of men and 78% of women failing to consume the required amount daily.

U.S. and Canadian Data

In the United States, recent data from the CDC painted a stark picture of adult consumption. Only 12.3% of adults met the daily fruit recommendation and a mere 10% met the vegetable recommendation. These figures are based on federal guidelines suggesting 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day for adults. Research also indicates significant demographic disparities in meeting these goals, with consumption varying by age, income, and race.

Data from Statistics Canada in 2017 showed that only 28.6% of Canadians aged 12 and older reported consuming fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, a figure that had been decreasing since 2015. Females were more likely to meet the recommendation than males, though both showed declines. These national statistics underscore that the problem of low intake is not confined to any single country but is a widespread public health issue.

The Stark Reality: Meeting Recommendations vs. Eating Any

It is critical to distinguish between consuming any fruit or vegetables and meeting the full recommended amount. Statistics that simply ask about eating any produce daily can appear more favorable but mask the overall inadequacy of intake. For instance, while nearly 95% of U.S. adults consumed any vegetables on a given day in a CDC study, only a fraction actually met the recommended cup amounts. This disparity highlights a major challenge: while many people have some produce in their diet, the quantity is often too low to deliver the full health benefits.

Key Health Benefits of Daily Intake

Consuming fruits and vegetables daily is linked to a host of health benefits, as documented by organizations like Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the WHO. Regular intake is associated with:

Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
Reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers
Helping with weight management due to being low in calories and fat
Providing essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber
Supporting healthy digestion and gut health

Why Aren't People Eating Enough? Barriers to Intake

Research has identified numerous barriers that prevent individuals from eating the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. These challenges are often interconnected and vary across different demographics. The most cited barriers include:

Cost: Fresh produce can be perceived as expensive, especially for low-income households. Studies indicate that cost is a primary barrier, with price sensitivities varying by income level.
Access: Limited access to supermarkets in low-income urban and rural areas can make finding high-quality, fresh produce difficult. These areas are sometimes described as "food deserts".
Time and Convenience: Modern societal norms place a high value on convenience. The time required for preparing and cooking fresh produce is often a barrier, especially when fast food and highly-processed alternatives are readily available.
Knowledge and Skills: Some people lack the nutritional knowledge or culinary skills to prepare fruits and vegetables in appealing ways, leading to a preference for other foods.
Spolage and Waste: Concerns over fresh produce spoiling before it can be eaten are a common barrier, prompting reliance on less perishable, often less healthy, options.

Strategies to Increase Consumption

Addressing these barriers requires multi-faceted strategies at both the individual and societal levels. Effective approaches include promoting cooking education, implementing point-of-purchase incentives, and expanding access to fresh produce. Examples include:

Individual-level changes: Incorporating fruits and vegetables into existing favorite meals, trying new recipes, and preparing produce ahead of time.
Community initiatives: Supporting community gardens and using incentive programs like Health Bucks for low-income residents at farmers' markets.
Policy interventions: Implementing subsidies for healthy foods, stricter regulations on misleading food marketing aimed at children, and better distribution systems.

Comparison of Produce Options: Fresh, Frozen, and Canned

When considering how to increase daily fruit and vegetable intake, consumers have several options. The following table compares some key aspects of fresh, frozen, and canned produce.


Feature	Fresh Produce	Frozen Produce	Canned Produce
Cost	Can be higher, especially when out of season.	Generally more budget-friendly and consistent year-round.	Most affordable, though price can vary.
Convenience	Requires washing, peeling, and chopping. Perishable and requires more frequent trips.	Pre-cut and cleaned, easy to store for long periods. Ready to use immediately.	Long shelf-life and pre-cooked, making it very convenient.
Nutritional Value	Optimal when in season and consumed shortly after harvest. Can lose nutrients during transportation.	Flash-frozen shortly after picking, locking in peak nutritional value. Often comparable to fresh.	Can be high in sodium or sugar depending on preparation. Some nutrients may be lost in processing.
Taste & Texture	Preferred for its vibrant flavor and crisp texture, especially in salads.	Can be slightly softer than fresh, best for cooking or smoothies.	Often softer texture due to cooking process, best for soups and stews.

Both frozen and canned produce offer viable, and sometimes more cost-effective, ways to increase daily intake, provided consumers choose varieties with low added salt and sugar.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the data clearly indicates that a large percentage of the population does not eat fruits and vegetables daily in the recommended quantities. This is a complex issue driven by multiple factors, including cost, access, time constraints, and preferences. While the statistics are concerning, they also highlight a significant opportunity for public health improvement through education, community programs, and policy changes. By addressing the root causes of low consumption and promoting affordable, convenient, and varied options, we can collectively work toward a healthier future. Increasing daily fruit and vegetable intake is a public health imperative with clear benefits for both individuals and society. Further information on promoting healthy diets can be found from the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming at least 400 grams, or five portions, of fruits and vegetables daily for optimal health benefits. Specific national guidelines, like in the U.S., provide recommendations in cups: 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day for adults.

Several factors contribute to low consumption, including the cost of fresh produce, limited access to grocery stores, lack of time for meal preparation, and personal preferences or habits. For many, convenience and affordability of less healthy options outweigh the effort needed for a produce-rich diet.

Yes, frozen and canned produce can be just as nutritious. Produce is often processed and preserved at its peak ripeness, locking in nutrients. It is important to choose options with little to no added salt, sugar, or sauces to maximize their health benefits.

Yes, different colors and types of produce contain different vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, known as phytochemicals. Eating a wide variety, or 'eating the rainbow,' ensures a broader spectrum of nutrients, such as lycopene in red foods and beta-carotene in orange foods.

Yes, fruits and vegetables are typically low in calories and high in fiber, which helps you feel full and satisfied for longer. This can help reduce overall calorie intake and support weight loss or weight management efforts as part of a balanced diet.

Effective strategies include implementing policies that make healthy food more affordable (subsidies), creating farmers' market incentive programs for low-income residents, and supporting community gardening initiatives. Better regulations on marketing unhealthy foods to children are also important.

Simple methods include adding fruit to breakfast items like cereal or smoothies, snacking on veggie sticks or dried fruit, incorporating more vegetables into favorite recipes like casseroles and soups, and preparing vegetables in advance for quick meals during the week.