TABLE 4.
Key messages about fruits and vegetables conveyed by more than 5 countries—types and examples
| Number1 | % (of 90) | |
|---|---|---|
| Any key message about fruits and vegetables | 84 | 93.3 |
| Eat daily (or with every meal) | 62 | 68.9 |
| “Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit every day” (South Africa) | — | — |
| Five (or more) servings a day, or 400 g (or more) | 30 | 33.3 |
| “Consume three or more servings of vegetables and at least two servings of fruit per day” (Mongolia) | — | — |
| “Eat vegetables, fruits and berries frequently (a minimum of 500 g/day, excluding potatoes)” (Finland) | — | — |
| Variety within | 38 | 42.2 |
| “Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables every day” (Bahamas) | — | — |
| Eat plenty or “a lot” | 19 | 21.1 |
| “Consume plenty of vegetables, fruits and tubers” (China) | — | — |
| Eat more | 16 | 17.8 |
| “Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables. Eat five portions of fruits and vegetables a day” (Cyprus) | — | — |
| Eat different colors or particular colors | 17 | 18.9 |
| “Eat at least one dark green and one orange vegetable each day. Go for orange vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and winter squash. Go for dark green vegetables such as broccoli, romaine lettuce and spinach” (Canada) | — | — |
| “Eat five fruits and vegetables of different colours and flavours every day to fill you with health and vitality” (Dominican Republic) | — | — |
| “Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, red and yellow vegetables and fruits every day; and include a variety of other vegetables and fruit” (Kenya) | — | — |
| Special mention/emphasis on whole, raw, or unprocessed | 10 | 11.1 |
| “Eat more than 400 g of various fruits and vegetables every day. Eat some of them raw” (FYROM) | — | — |
| Eat fresh fruits/vegetables | 9 | 10.0 |
| “Increase your daily intake of fresh fruits and vegetables of different colors” (Panama) | — | — |
| Eat seasonal fruits/vegetables | 6 | 6.7 |
| “Prefer vegetables and fruits that are locally grown in season. Whenever possible, buy organic and agro-ecological based foods, preferably directly from the producers” (Brazil 2014) | — | — |
| Eat local fruits/vegetables | 7 | 7.8 |
| “Eat more local fruits and vegetables” (Fiji) | — | — |
| Not mentioned but implied in diversity message (by reference to food guide)2 | 3 | 3.3 |
| “Eat foods from each food group every day to have a complete diet” (Portugal) | — | — |
| No key message conveyed but fruits and vegetables are shown in food guide | 6 | 6.7 |
1Sums to more than 90 because some countries have multiple messages about fruits and vegetables. Also many key messages contain more than 1 idea and are counted for several. For example, “Eat five servings (approx. 400 g) of vegetables, fruits and berries every day. Try to choose local and fresh products” [Latvia] is counted under “Eat daily,” “Five (or more) servings,” “Fresh,” “Local,” and “400 g/day (or more).”
2Considered to be implied when a key message directs the reader to eat all food groups, and fruits and vegetables are separate food group(s) in the food guide (this is so in nearly all food guides).