Population ages 1 year and older with intakes below the recommendation or above the limit for different food groups and dietary components.
- Vegetables: 87% have intakes below the goal
- Fruit: 75% have intakes below the goal
- Total Grains: 44% have intakes below the goal
- Dairy: 86% have intakes below the goal
- Protein Foods: 42% have intakes below the goal
- Oils: 72% have intakes below the goal
- Added sugars: 70% have intakes above the limit
- Saturated fats: 71% have intakes above the limit
- Sodium: 89% have intakes above the limit.
Note: The center (0) line is the goal or limit. For most, those represented by the orange sections of the bars, shifting toward the center line will improve their eating pattern.
Data Sources: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2010 for average intakes by age-sex group. Healthy U.S.-Style Food Patterns, which vary based on age, sex, and activity level, for recommended intakes and limits.
There are now an estimated 14 million US cancer survivors; many facing health issues and increased risk for chronic conditions that a healthy diet may mitigate or prevent. Yet overall, cancer survivors are eating less healthy than the general population, consuming empty calories while not eating the recommended amounts of vegetables and whole grains, finds a new study.
Compared to the non-cancer group, survivors had overall poor adherence to Dietary Guidelines. Survivors were eating more empty calories, taking in these calories from alcohol, solid fats and/or added sugars. The group diagnosed with cancer was also consuming less fiber, green vegetables and whole grains compared with individuals with no history of cancer. Cancer survivors had low dietary intakes of vitamin D, vitamin E, potassium, and calcium, but high intakes of saturated fat and sodium. Younger the survivors; the worse diet they have.
Please follow ACIR guidelines for survivors and join a survivorship group in the hospital were your treatment was done or one near you.
Nutrition Before During and After Cancer 