Fruit & Veggies

Yet another study shows that most Americans don't eat the amount of fruits and vegetables that we should.  Most people, according to the survey, eat less than half of what the recommendations are.  The typical person eats about 1 cup of vegetables a day and just under a half cup of fruits.  (I would have thought it was the other way around.)  This, by the way, includes not-as-healthy veggies like potatoes (not French fries). 

Young children and their parents seem to be getting the idea--their intake of fruits and veggies are climbing.  But teens and the elderly tend to eat less. 

This information comes from a USA Today article that does a good idea of explaining about how it's actually fairly easy to eat the recommended amount of these foods.  One suggestion is to fill at least half your plate with fruits and veggies. 

Also, one of the experts quoted in the article says:

[E]very little bit counts: raisins in cereal, frozen berries in smoothies, vegetables in soup, tomato sauce on spaghetti, beans in chili, veggies on sandwiches, 100% fruit juices.

In general, one cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or two cups of raw leafy greens, counts as one cup from the vegetable group. One cup (or one piece) of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or half a cup of dried fruit, is considered one cup from the fruit group. So if you eat an apple or banana, that counts as one cup of fruit for the day; a medium side salad could equal about one cup of vegetables.

My suggestion: Join a CSA!  Since we've joined Blooming Glen Farm, we eat way more veggies than we ever have before.  And there's not much better than fresh produce grown within a mile of home.  Or go to farmers' markets and buy local fruits--it's almost peach time!

Oh, by the way.  If you read the article, scroll down to the comments.  Some are incredibly idiotic and entertaining.

Most Important Meal of the Day

I eat breakfast every day.  It might be a nice bowl of Kashi cereal (or Cocoa Pebbles), a bagel or even the occasional Pop-Tart.  But, I just can't get going in the morning without eating (not surprising for me, I guess).

From the results of a recent survey, however, I'm in the minority.  According to the study, 48% of Americans admit to not eating a daily breakfast--even though 61% say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 

So how 'bout you?  Do you eat breakfast every day?  If so, what do you eat? 

Here are some of the other results of the survey, which was sponsored by Kraft in support of it's belVita breakfast foods, which supposedly are designed to give energy to all who eat it:

Help Save Public Broadcasting

Sesame Street, America's Test Kitchen, NPR, Nova, Masterpiece Theatre, American Experience, Antiques Roadshow.  The list of quality educational, entertaining and important television and radio on Public Broadcasting goes on and on.

Right now, there are three separate bills before Congress to severely decrease or even eliminate all federal funding for Public Broadcasting.  If passed, not only could these bills prevent us and our children from watching and listening to these great shows, but local stations such as WHYY, WDIY, WLVT and others could be put in jeopardy.  Shows like World Cafe out of WXPN and distributed by NPR could also be terribly affected.

Do your kids watch PBS Kids shows like Jake does? Is it part of your routine to watch cooking shows on the weekends on PBS or listen to All Things Considered each afternoon on NPR?  If you love the shows on public television and radio, please sign the survey at 170MillionAmericans.org.