Great article but check out the Websites, they are great
- 0 Comments
This is a great article a friend gave to me and at the bottom is a link to a great site that is all about how to keep fruits and vegetables in your diet. Also is a link to a site just for kids called Food Champs
Wilmington, Del. – Mom’s trying to make their food budget stretch are cutting back on fruits and vegetables according to an annual survey taken by a non-profit watch dog group. Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) found that 60 percent of moms surveyed said they still believed their family ate too few fruits and veggies, they were buying less for meals and snacks because of the economy.
“It is important to continue to eat healthy, even in tough economic times,” says Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., PBH President and CEO.
Reported fruit consumption has dropped 12 percent since a year ago and vegetable consumption is down 6 percent. The survey points to the nation’s current economic recession for the negative impact on mother’s attitudes and behaviors regarding fruits and vegetables, especially in lower income households.
The survey was conducted between January 16 and January 22, 2009 by OnSurvey. Survey respondents were a nationally representative sample of women between the ages of 24 and 41, all of whom had at least one child under 18 living in their household. 1,000 women responded to the online survey. In general, a sample of this size has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
This is the fourth year PBH has conducted their Moms survey, and the first year a decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption has been noted. In 2006, Moms reported consuming 1.96 servings of fruits and 2.21 servings of vegetables each day. Those numbers rose to 2.17 servings of fruits and 2.3 servings of vegetables in 2007 and then to 2.71 servings of fruits and 2.48 servings of vegetables in 2008. This year’s slight reduction in intake, a reported 2.38 servings of fruit and 2.32 servings of vegetables, still indicates higher consumption levels than those reported in 2007. Researchers credit a national public health initiative lauched called “Fruits & Veggies-More Matters” and believe that if the economy was better, survey numbers would be better, too.
Most Moms (87 percent) still believe it’s important to include fruits and vegetables in their family’s diet. But, citing barriers such as cost and different preferences amongst family, Moms feel they need more support. And they do-90 percent of Americans consume fewer fruits and vegetables than the recommended daily amount, which ranges from 2 to 6 ½ cups each day.
Pivonka said, “Fruits and vegetables are an inexpensive part of a healthy lifestyle, and Fruits & Veggies-More Matters can show Moms how to include more, both at home and on the go.” According to the survey, an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables correlates with Moms awareness of Fruits and Veggies-More Matters.
This article can also be found on NBC Action News at this link, “Moms Buying Fewer Fruits and Veggies”
Click here for tips and recipes showing how to include more vegetables into your family’s diet. fruitsandveggiesmorematters.
Here is the link to the great kids site that is loaded with fun recipes, games, coloring sheets, activities and more for kids of all ages.
