The world’s biggest veggie lovers revealed: DailyMail.com’s interactive map ranks 184 countries based on how many vegetables they eat each day… and where America and Britain rank might surprise you
The countries that consume the most vegetables are revealed – the US and the UK even fail to make the top 40.
The researchers found that China was the biggest vegetable fan overall, with the average citizen eating about a kilogram of vegetables per day – the equivalent of four heads of broccoli.
For comparison, the United States ranks 44th worldwide with residents eating about 11 ounces of vegetables per day — or more than a head of broccoli. In the UK, people ate an average of 8oz.
This is according to statistics compiled by Oxford University-based OurWorldInData based on data from the United Nations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says adults should eat about two to three cups of vegetables and about two cups of fruit per day.
Eating enough fruits and vegetables is linked to multiple health benefits, including better digestion and reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
Of the 181 countries with data, 128 — or 70 percent — eat less than 9.5 pounds of vegetables per day — or less than a head of broccoli.
Eleven of the top 20 vegetable-consuming countries were in Asia, and four in Europe.
The US ranks 44th in the list. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in ten American adults get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. Among children, only half get enough.
The CDC has raised concerns about this trend, noting: ‘Young children need specific nutrients to support their optimal growth and development. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help provide these nutrients.
‘Limiting or reducing foods and drinks with added sugars, including sugar-sweetened beverages, is important because added sugars increase the risk of obesity, tooth decay, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.’
This is probably a similar situation in the UK, where people choose processed and sugary foods over fruit and vegetables.
In the UK, the government has already introduced legislation to prevent unhealthy food from ending up in supermarket aisles.
They are also under pressure to bring in rules that stop unsanitary products from being sold in one contract or similar.
However, at the other end of the scale, there were predominantly African countries – those facing food insecurity due to climate change and local conflicts.
Chad was at the bottom of the list, with the average person consuming 215oz of vegetables per year. It was followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at 218.7oz annually, and Ethiopia at 462oz.
All three have been hit by conflict in recent years that has disrupted farms and uprooted many families.