How to Cook » Which U.S. States Consume the Most and Least Fruits and Vegetables Daily?

Which U.S. States Consume the Most and Least Fruits and Vegetables Daily?

Do you get your recommended daily fruits and vegetables? United States federal guidelines recommend that adults eat at least 1½ to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables each day as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, research shows that around 90% of Americans do not reach this goal. As with most widely encompassing statistics, adults who eat the recommended fruit and vegetable intake vary by state. This infographic from How to Cook Recipes explores how the states compare on fruit and veggie servings per day:

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Which U.S. States Consume the Most and Least Fruits and Vegetables Daily

Here are the top five states that eat the least fruit based on the percentage of population that consumes less than one serving daily:

  1. Oklahoma — 48.4%
  2. Mississippi — 47.5%
  3. Louisiana — 47.2%
  4. Arkansas — 46.5%
  5. Alabama — 46.1%

 

Here are the top five states that eat the most fruit daily based on the percentage of population that consumes less than one serving daily:

  1. Vermont — 32%
  2. Massachusetts — 32.7%
  3. Connecticut — 34.1%
  4. New York — 34.7%
  5. Maine — 35.2%

 

Here are the top five states that eat the least vegetables based on the percentage of population that consumes less than one serving daily:

  1. Louisiana — 25.6%
  2. Nevada — 25.2%
  3. California — 23.9%
  4. New Mexico — 23.7%
  5. Illinois — 23.4%

 

Here are the top five states that eat the most vegetables based on the percentage of population that consumes less than one serving daily:

  1. Maine — 12.5%
  2. Vermont — 12.7%
  3. Massachusetts — 15.5%
  4. New Hampshire — 16%
  5. Oregon — 16.4%

Why Are Fruits and Vegetables Important?

Fruits and vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet because they contain vital nutrients. Variety is just as important as quantity in order to consume the proper balance of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Here are some impressive benefits of eating fruits and benefits of eating vegetables for people of all ages:

There are an abundance of delicious ways to prepare fruits and vegetables, and they are also satisfying and tasty all on their own. But it can be confusing to understand how cups converts into whole fruits and vegetables, so the American Heart Association has created this helpful graphic to help you visualize serving sizes.

What Is the Most Popular Fruit in America?

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the most popular fruits in the United States based on pounds consumed per person are:

  1. Apples (26 pounds per person)
  2. Oranges (21 pounds per person)
  3. Bananas (14 pounds per person)
  4. Grapes (7 pounds per person)
  5. Strawberries (5 pounds per person)

What Is the Most Popular Vegetable in America?

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the most popular vegetables in the United States based on pounds consumed per person are:

  1. Potatoes (49 pounds per person)
  2. Tomatoes (31 pounds per person)
  3. Onions (10 pounds per person)
  4. Carrots (9 pounds per person)
  5. Head lettuce (5 pounds per person)

 

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This page was last updated by Megan Miller