"Inclusion of fruit juice, in amounts consistent with dietary recommendations, as part of a healthy diet can provide important nutrients without increasing weight in children."
- Nicklas et al. American Journal of Health Promotion. March/April 2010.
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Americans Receive Failing Grade When it Comes to Fruit Intake
But Other Forms of Fruit, Like 100 Percent Juice, Are Rising In Popularity
WASHINGTON (December 15, 2010) - According to a new report card issued by the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA), Americans consume far less than the recommended intake for fruit, with only eight percent of the total population and 12 percent of children achieving the target number of fruit servings in an average day. With so few Americans consuming the recommended amounts of fruit per day (recommended amounts vary from 1 to 2 cups per day depending on age, gender and level of physical activity) finding quick and simple ways to help add fruit servings to a daily diet is more important than ever.
While the “fresh is best” mantra used to be a frequent refrain, nutrition experts now recognize that many forms of fruit can count as part of the fruit group, including canned, frozen and dried fruit and 100 percent fruit juice. These options not only add convenience, but also provide valuable nutrients.
Nationally recognized author and nutrition expert, Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D., says that breakfast is a great place to start building healthy habits that can last throughout the day, including sneaking in a serving or two of fruit.
“A family that is rushing in the morning and doesn’t want to take more than a couple of minutes to prepare a healthy breakfast can certainly take a few shortcuts,” says Zied. “A baggie of fresh berries or even a box of 100 percent fruit juice are two great on-the-go solutions. One box, or 8 ounces of 100 percent fruit juice, gives you two servings of fruit for the day with no added sugar. And either choice provides essential vitamins, minerals, and other important substances that your body needs to stay healthy.”
Although the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that a majority of daily fruit servings come from whole fruit, for many families, a glass of 100 percent juice can get them closer to meeting their daily goal. In fact, based on a new national survey, three out of four U.S. households are turning to 100 percent juice to help boost their fruit intake. According to the survey, over one-third of American adults consume 100 percent fruit juice at least once per day. Among children, 42 percent enjoy at least one daily serving of juice. In addition, nine out of ten juice consumers agreed that 100 percent fruit juice is an important part of a healthy diet and is appropriate at breakfast as well as other times of the day.
For more information on the nutritional benefits of 100 percent fruit juice, please visit www.fruitjuicefacts.org.
The survey, based on a nationally projectable sample of 1,000 Americans age 18 and older, was conducted in September-October by Synovate Research Services, Inc. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent.
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