Progress on Children Eating More Fruit, Not Vegetables

How much fruit and vegetables do children need daily?

Girls ages 2-3 years need to eat 1 cup of fruit and 1 cup of vegetables daily. Girls ages 4-8 years need to eat 1-1 ½ cups of fruit and 1 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Girls ages 9-13 years need to eat 1 ½ cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables daily. Girls ages 14-18 years need to eat 1 ½ cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Boys ages 2-3 years need to eat 1 cup of fruit and 1 cup of vegetables daily. Boys ages 4-8 years need to eat 1-1 ½ cups of fruit and 1 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Boys ages 9-13 years need to eat 1 ½ cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Boys ages 14-18 years need to eat 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables daily.

These amounts are for children who get less than 30 min/day of moderate physical activity, beyond normal daily activities. More active children may be able to consume more while staying within calorie needs.

SOURCE: USDA, www.ChooseMyPlate.gov

Children, ages 2-18, are eating more fruit s , but not more vegetables. Left chart shows that whole fruit intake increased from .24 cups for every 1000 calories in 2003-2004 to .40 cups for every 1000 calories in 2009-2010. Fruit juice intake decreased during the same time period, from .31 cups for every 1000 calories in 2003-2004 to .22 cups for every 1000 calories in 2009-2010. Total fruit consumption increased slightly over time from 2003 to 2010. The right chart shows that vegetable consumption did not change over the same time period.

Ways to get children to eat more fruit and vegetables at childcare and school.

Fig 1. Graphic image of girl – Maya is 3 years old.

Fig 2. Graphic image of Maya and mom. Text: Maya eats a healthy breakfast, family style, with her teacher.

Fig 3. Graphic image of Maya with class. Text: Maya’s class prepares healthy snack of fruit and vegetables.

Fig 4. Graphic image of Maya and dad. Text: Teachers send home tips for fruit and vegetable snacking.

Fig 5. Graphic image of boy – Sam is 13 years old.

Fig 6. Graphic image of Sam and fellow student in garden. Text: Sam’s class works in school garden.

Fig 7. Graphic image of Sam at the school salad bar. Text: Sam chooses fruit and vegetables from the salad bar to complete his school lunch.

Fig 8. Graphic image of Sam and fellow student selling fruit and vegetables. Text: The school store sells fruit and vegetables.

Fig 9. Graphic image –of Sam and mom. Text: Sam brings home vegetables from the garden and cooks them with his parents.