Researchers looked at studies from around the world to find the best ways to help people eat more fruits and vegetables. They found that about half of all programs worked to increase fruit and vegetable eating. The most successful programs used multiple strategies together and focused specifically on fruits and vegetables rather than general healthy eating. However, most studies were done in wealthy countries, leaving a big gap in knowledge about what works best in poorer countries where people also don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What types of programs and strategies are most effective at getting people to eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Who participated: Studies from around the world, though most were conducted in wealthy countries like the US and Europe
  • Key finding: Programs that used multiple approaches together were successful 61% of the time, while those focusing specifically on fruits and vegetables worked 72% of the time
  • What it means for you: If you want to eat more fruits and vegetables, using several strategies at once and focusing specifically on these foods may give you the best chance of success

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers gathered and analyzed many different studies about fruit and vegetable programs from around the world. They looked at any program that tried to increase fruit and vegetable eating, whether it focused specifically on these foods or was part of a broader healthy eating initiative. The researchers then categorized these programs by their approach and measured how successful they were.

This type of research is valuable because it gives us the big picture of what works across many different studies and populations. Instead of relying on just one study, we can see patterns across hundreds of different programs and approaches.

The study provides a broad overview but doesn’t go deep into the quality of individual studies. The researchers noted a major limitation: most studies came from wealthy countries, so we don’t know much about what works in lower-income countries where fruit and vegetable intake is also low.

What the Results Show

About half of all fruit and vegetable programs showed significant positive results in getting people to eat more of these foods. The most successful approaches were multicomponent strategies, which worked 61% of the time. These programs might combine education, environmental changes, and behavioral support all together. Even more successful were programs that focused specifically on fruits and vegetables rather than general healthy eating - these worked 72% of the time. This suggests that targeted, specific messaging about fruits and vegetables is more effective than broad healthy eating advice.

The research revealed a significant gap in evidence from low- and middle-income countries. Despite the fact that people in countries like Benin, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania also don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, very few intervention studies have been conducted in these regions. This means most of our knowledge about effective strategies comes from wealthy countries.

This review builds on existing knowledge by providing a comprehensive global perspective on fruit and vegetable interventions. It confirms that targeted approaches work better than general ones, which aligns with previous research on behavior change.

The biggest limitation is the geographic bias toward high-income countries. The researchers also noted that more work is needed to understand the optimal timing, intensity, duration, and frequency of interventions. The review doesn’t provide detailed information about which specific components of multicomponent programs are most important.

The Bottom Line

If you want to increase your fruit and vegetable intake, focus specifically on these foods rather than trying to improve your entire diet at once. Use multiple strategies together - this might include setting specific goals, changing your food environment, tracking your intake, and getting support from others. The evidence suggests this targeted, multi-pronged approach gives you the best chance of success.

Anyone looking to eat more fruits and vegetables can benefit from these findings. However, people in lower-income countries should note that most research comes from wealthier nations, so some strategies may need to be adapted to local contexts and resources.

The studies didn’t specify how long it takes to see results, but successful programs likely require sustained effort over weeks or months rather than quick fixes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of fruits and vegetables separately rather than as part of a general food diary, since targeted tracking appears more effective
  • Set specific fruit and vegetable goals rather than general ’eat healthier’ goals, and use multiple app features together like reminders, progress tracking, and educational content
  • Monitor fruit and vegetable intake as distinct categories and use multiple tracking methods like photo logging, serving counts, and variety tracking to create a multicomponent approach

This research provides general insights about population-level interventions and should not replace personalized dietary advice from healthcare professionals. Individual results may vary, and people with specific health conditions should consult their doctor before making significant dietary changes.