Studies indicate that many Americans are not getting the amount of fruits and vegetables they need. According to the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2005), you need between 1 and 2 cups of fruit a day depending on your age, sex and level of physical activity. Look at the chart below to get a better idea of how much fruit you should eat on a daily basis. For more information, you can visit the new Food Guide Pyramid at www.MyPyramid.gov.
*These amounts are appropriate for individuals who get less than 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, beyond normal daily activities. Those who are more physically active may be able to consume more while staying within calorie needs. (Source: www.MyPyramid.gov)
According to the USDA, 1 cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ½ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the fruit group. The USDA guidelines recommend that a majority of daily fruit servings be from whole fruit.
