Americans Need More ‘Color’ in their Diet

While most Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, a new report from Nutrilite Health Institute shows the color of fruits and vegetables eaten can be as important as the quantity. Eight in 10 Americans are missing out on the health benefits of a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, resulting in a phytonutrient gap with potential health consequences, according to America’s Phytonutrient Report, which was conducted by Exponent on behalf of Nutrilite using National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) and USDA data that capture what Americans eat daily. The report looked at fruit and vegetable consumption in five color categories, specifically green, red, white, blue/purple and yellow/orange. The biggest phytonutrient gap was found in the blue/purple fruit and vegetable category, where 88% of Americans fall short. Americans are doing a little better on getting phytonutrients found in green fruits and vegetables—69% fall short. Meanwhile 78% of Americans are lacking in the red category, 86% in white and 79% in orange/yellow.