Dole Introduces ""Get Up and Grow""!

Dole Challenges North Americans to Eat More Fruit and Vegetables

Spring has sprung and it’s time to “Get Up and Grow!” For over a decade the Dole Nutrition Institute has brought you news on the power and benefits of a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Now, Dole is going on the road to directly challenge Americans to eat more fruit and vegetables, because frankly we aren’t eating enough of them to promote good health.

According to CDC data, nearly 23% of Americans eat vegetables less than once per day while over 37% lack a daily dose of fruit. The national average for adults is just 1.6 servings of vegetables and 1.1 cups of fruit per day – about half of the recommended amount. Americans are specifically falling short on dark green, red and orange vegetables, like spinach, bell peppers and tomatoes, getting just 50% of what they need.

As for children, snacks are providing as much as 42% of their daily calories, usually in the form of energy-rich but nutrient-poor processed foods. Kids are averaging a whopping 12 to 18 teaspoons of sugar per day – just picture 18 sugar cubes! And while kids are filling up on added sugar, more than 36% of them eat fruit and vegetables less than once a day.

The most alarming fact about this is the toll poor diet is taking on the nation’s health. In 2014, in just one year, the obesity rate for adults in the United States increased from 27.6% to 29.4%, and more than a third of children are considered overweight or obese. Nearly 10% of adults have diabetes, and heart disease remains the number one killer in the U.S. Both diseases can often be avoided through healthy diet and exercise.

So, how does Dole plan to help? Dole’s “Get Up and Grow!” is a one-of-a-kind, healthy lifestyle initiative that will challenge everyone to add more color to their plates. Through social media, an interactive website, and even a coast-to-coast tour, Dole is out to show you that eating produce can be healthy, delicious and enormously fun. Most importantly, we are challenging everyone to take the Get Up and Grow Pledge, a customizable commitment to better overall health. To take this pledge, find delicious new recipes like our Heart Smart Salad, and find out when the Get Up and Grow tour is coming to your area, visit dolegetupandgrow.com today. Together, we can build a healthier, happier world, one bite of fresh produce at a time!

Published April 1, 2015