Break Barriers to Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

December 6, 2007

Eating healthfully doesn’t have to break your bank. Unfortunately, according to a study in a recent Journal of the American Dietetic Association, cost barriers exist for low-income consumers who want to eat according to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The study says meeting recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines would require a low-income family to devote between 43 percent and 70 percent of its food budget to fruits and vegetables.

Here are some ways you can save money at the grocery store and eat healthfully:

• Shop seasonally. Fresh produce tastes better and costs less when it’s in season.
• Buy canned. Canned fruit and vegetables can be as nutritious as fresh. This allows you to stock up when items are on sale without worrying about produce going bad.
• Buy on sale. Every week, check the frozen vegetable section and buy whatever is on sale. That way, you’ll always have a variety of mixed vegetables in your freezer.

The amount of fruits and vegetables you need to eat depends on your age, gender and level of physical activity. Visit MyPyramid.gov to find how much is right for you.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team