The CDC data also highlighted significant disparities in consumption across different demographic groups:
- Income: People with the lowest household incomes were the least likely to meet vegetable recommendations.
- Age: Adults aged 51 and older were more likely to meet vegetable recommendations than younger adults aged 18–30 or 31–50.
- Gender: Women were more likely to meet both fruit and vegetable recommendations than men. Women are also more likely to “eat the rainbow” to help them remember to eat different colors of fruits and vegetables to increase intake of different nutrients to benefit different areas of health.
- Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic adults were more likely to meet fruit intake recommendations than non-Hispanic white adults. Non-Hispanic Black adults were less likely to meet vegetable recommendations than non-Hispanic white adults.
Gen Z’s Fruit and Vegetable Intake
Studies show that Gen Z Studies show that Gen Z consumes fewer fruits and vegetables than older generations, but their health is also impacted by significant issues such as mental health struggles, high stress, and economic insecurity.
- A cross-sectional study of American generations found that Gen Z had the lowest intake of fruits and vegetables compared to Gen X and Millennials, with only 4.8% and 8.4%, respectively, reporting at least three servings per day.
- Data from Produce for Better Health indicates that consumption of fruits and vegetables has decreased by about 10% since 2004, with the decline among Millennials and Gen Z not being offset by the increased consumption among those over 50.
- Reasons for this low intake include preference for taste and convenience over nutrition, as well as the perception that eating vegetables is a “chore”.
- Despite lower consumption, Gen Z is highly interested in healthy eating and plant-based diets, often influenced by sustainability and ethical concerns in addition to health. This suggests a gap between their intentions and actual dietary habits.
Fresh Market Research recently revealed that millions from Generation Z are not eating fruits or vegetables. Their findings suggest that 1 in 4 Gen Zers between the ages of 14 and 26 either don’t eat fruits and veggies at all, or only produce occasionally, revealing a growing dietary void in basic nutritional needs.
Reddit forum threads also reflect this trend. Popular topics include: “Aversion to Vegetables”, “Veganism for a Vegetable Hater“, and “Vegetables Are Absolutely Disgusting”, as well as one of the more popular threads, “Does Anyone Else Know People Who Don’t Eat Vegetables at All?“
Broader Health Challenges for Gen Z
Experts point to a combination of factors that influence Gen Z’s overall health:
- Mental health: Gen Z reports significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress compared to older generations. Studies link this to social media pressure, economic worries, academic stress, and an overall feeling that “things are falling apart”.
- Physical health: While not solely attributable to diet, poor lifestyle choices can lead to malnutrition and contribute to chronic conditions like obesity and heart disease. Many Gen Z adults are classified as overweight or obese.
- Lifestyle choices: A heavy reliance on convenience foods, high intake of soft drinks and snacks, and lower rates of regular exercise are contributing factors to poorer physical health. The COVID-19 pandemic also exacerbated sedentary behavior and disrupted healthy routines.
- Digital connection: Technology has both positive and negative impacts. While Gen Z uses digital tools to monitor their health, the constant connectivity and use of social media are also linked to higher stress, social comparison, and inadequate sleep.
- Barriers to care: Significant barriers to accessing mental and physical healthcare include cost, difficulty scheduling appointments, and perceived stigma.
The Link Between Diet and Health
A low intake of fruits and vegetables alone is not the only cause of declining health, but it is a major contributing factor.
- A balanced diet rich in produce is critical for preventing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
- A diet lacking in nutrients from fruits and vegetables can lead to nutrient deficiencies, further compromising health.
- The “food is medicine” movement highlights how a diet-centric approach to preventative care could be key to reversing these health declines.
The Rise of the Anti-Vegetables Generation
As mentioned above, research is revealing that fewer young people are eating fruits and vegetables, which is likely a large driver in the decline of youth health, being highlighted in recent reports. In addition to being picky eaters, this also reflects how stress, convenience, and modern sedentary lifestyle habits are defining how younger generations fuel themselves.
Some people believe that this alarming trend is because younger generations are being raised on take-out food, ready-made, and frozen foods, which places them in an unhealthy pattern of convenience. Other people suggest that not enough is being done in schools to educate children on nutrition and healthy habits. Additionally, when people become stressed (stressed spelt backwards is dessert), they often turn to food for comfort, increasing the intake of less-than-healthy options.
The anti-veggie mindset has led to younger generations experiencing higher rates of obesity compared to older generations, particularly during childhood and young adulthood. Research shows that rates have increased significantly over the past few decades, with children and adolescents currently facing a high risk. This global trend is linked to a combination of factors like diet, inactivity, and an “obesogenic” environment.
