To declare that fruits and vegetables are hot right now would be an understatement. The health benefits of fruits and vegetables are well-documented (“Eat the rainbow,” as parents tell kids). Yet Americans still fall behind on the minimum, “five a day” recommended daily servings. People consume an average of only 1.1 servings of fruit per day and just 1.8 servings of vegetables, according to the CDC.
Meanwhile, the USDA is upping the ante on what is needed for optimum health, and in 2010, increased the daily guidelines to nine servings of plant-based foods.. In fact, the MyPlate campaign recommends filling up half the plate of every meal with vegetables and fruits.