A new study of 582 college students by Oregon State University has revealed that they are failing when it comes to eating enough fruit and vegetables, with some scholars not even getting one of their recommended five servings a day.

Many of them admitted to skipping meals frequently, which could explain why there was such a low intake of this food source. Surprisingly, males came out better in their consumption of fruit and vegetables, as they got around five servings a week compared to female students who claimed they ate about four.

However, although females had a lower fibre intake, their eating habits were considered generally better by the researchers conducting the survey. This was because they tended to read nutrition labels and eat in dining halls more compared to males who commonly ate in fast-food restaurants.

Fruit and vegetables are critical for promoting good health and almost every demographic is falling short on the amount that is being consumed. Fruit and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fibre that can help to protect against a variety of chronic diseases.

People who have a generous amount of fruit and vegetables in their diet are far more likely to have a reduced risk of suffering from diseases such as certain cancers, strokes and cardiovascular diseases.

Lead researcher, Brad Cardinal, believes that good eating habits should be taught at an early age. He said, “We are not teaching youth how to be self-sustaining. Home economics and nutrition classes have all but disappeared from our schools. There is a fundamental lack of understanding on how to eat well in a very broad sense.”

Although there are some good vitamin supplements on the market, the best way to get the necessary nutrients is primarily from foods like fruit and vegetables. They taste far nicer too.

View the original Independent article here.