Despite decades of public health campaigns to improve Americans’ diet, most of us still aren’t eating enough fruits and veggies, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Only 12 percent of Americans get the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables—and only 9 percent when only veggie consumption is considered.

“The study confirms years of data demonstrating that Americans do not eat their fruits and vegetables,” Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University, says. “Assuming this result is close to reality, it suggests the need for taking much stronger action to make it cheaper and easier to eat fruits and vegetables.”

There are many reasons Americans aren’t getting enough fruits and veggies. Some people don’t like them, while others don’t have access to them. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13.5 million people live in food deserts, where processed foods are cheaper and easier to find.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has noted that only 2 percent of American farmland is devoted to these crops—and that number would have to double to accommodate the public need. Meanwhile, they say, the food industry is pushing processed foods.

Some of the above information was originally published in The Guardian on November 17, 2017. To read more, visit nyc based Massage for Health and Fitness online at M4hf.com.