Workplace Wellness Insights: Fruits and Veggies – How Much is Enough? (And More)

When employees have access to workplace wellness programs, they say that such initiatives have an overall positive impact on their health. Those who do not have access to workplace wellness programs say that they want them. All of this information is based on UnitedHealthcare’s 2018 Wellness Checkup Survey. At Rose & Kiernan, Inc. we encourage participation in wellness and disease management programs to not only become healthier, but also to receive potential discounts on your health benefits.

Each month, we send out our RK Healthy Workforce wellness newsletter. In it, we provide health and wellness tips for your work and life. If you’re like the majority of Americans, you’re most likely not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Each September, Fruits & Veggies – More Matters®, a national health observance, works to change that. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other naturally occurring substances that may help prevent chronic diseases. Here are some answers to a few key questions:

How much is enough?

According to MyPlate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s symbol for healthy eating, the recommended adult daily servings for fruits and vegetables are:

• Fruits
  • Women: 2 cups (ages 19-30), 1 ½ cups (ages 31+)
  • Men: 2 cups (ages 19+)
• Vegetables
  • Women: 2 ½ cups (ages 19-50), 2 cups (ages 51+)
  • Men: 3 cups (ages 19-50), 2 ½ cups (ages 51+)

What counts as a cup?

• Fruits
  • In general, 1 cup of fruit or 100 percent fruit juice
  • One-half cup of dried fruit can be considered 1 cup
• Vegetables
  • In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice
  • Two cups of raw, leafy greens can be considered 1 cup

Our monthly wellness newsletter also provides healthy recipes, seasonal tips and other valuable resources. If you would like to receive this newsletter in your email each month, contact your R&K client manager. Also, check back with us next month for more workplace wellness insights.

Rose & Kiernan, Inc. offers workplace wellness support through our signature platform RKHealthy Workforce. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us here or by calling (800) 242-4433.