See how many fruits and vegetables people consume in North Carolina

Photo bystacker/Canva

Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential for maintaining a strong immune system.

However, many American adults aren’t meeting these daily nutrition guidelines despite the rise of plant-based diets. In fact, only 12.3% of Americans consume the recommended daily servings of fruit, while a mere 10% are meeting their daily vegetable intake.

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that adults eat 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables each day.

According to America's Health Rankings, North Carolina ranks 39th in the nation, with only 6.2% of its adult population meeting these daily recommendations of two or more servings of fruits and three or more servings of vegetables.

When broken down by education level, the numbers show a noticeable trend:

Percentage of adults who reported consuming two or more fruits and three or more vegetables daily as of 2021.

• High School/GED: North Carolina 5.2%, U.S. 6.9%
• Some Post-High School: North Carolina 5.8%, U.S. 7.8%
• College Grad: North Carolina 8.5%, U.S. 10.2%

These figures highlight the need for more accessible education and initiatives to encourage healthier eating habits in North Carolina.

As the state continues to lag behind, focusing on nutrition education and access to fresh produce could help boost these numbers and improve overall public health.