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America's Eating Behavior

Research conducted by the Produce for Better Health Foundation and completed by MRCA Information Services gives us a look at America's Daily Fruit and Vegetable Deficit.

Starting the day with breakfast, this is what we found:

Lunch time was not much better; we found that:

Before we move on to dinner, let's take a look at what we do best, snacking:

Finally, a look at dinner time in America:

According to the Federal Government, our recommended consumption should be between 5-9 servings a day.

MRCA Information Services is a leading authority on understanding and tracking America's eating behavior.  Since its inception in 1938, MRCA has pioneered and perfected the instruments, techniques used for collecting, and interpreting food consumption behavior.  Today, MRCA continues to lead as the only service capable of linking comprehensive nutritional attitudes and eating behaviors from the same individuals in order to truly understand the dynamics of dietary behavior.

Food consumption has been tracked continuously by MRCA's Menu Census diaries since 1957.  These diaries monitor food and beverage consumption among all members of 2,000 scientifically selected households each year (representing 4,700 individuals), with each household homemaker recording both in-home and away-from-home consumption for a period of 14 days.

MRCA's Nutritional Marketing Information Division was established in 1990 to provide a unique evaluation of consumer knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding food and nutrition.  The Nutrition and Food Attitude Inventory addresses a wide variety of nutritional issues, in addition to an extensive number of foods and ingredients.

For more information about the 5 A Day for Better Health program, contact the Produce for Better Health Foundation at 302-235-2329 or  fax to 302-235-5555.

View our 5 A Day Dietary Guidelines page.