Researchers surveyed over 60,000 adults in China to understand what people actually eat compared to what doctors recommend. They found that about 68% of people eat too much meat each week, while only 29% eat enough vegetables daily. The study also discovered that factors like age, income, education, and whether someone has health conditions like diabetes affect eating habits. These findings can help doctors and health officials create better programs to help people eat healthier by understanding who needs the most help changing their diet.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much meat and vegetables Chinese adults actually eat compared to what health experts say they should eat
  • Who participated: Over 60,000 randomly selected adults aged 18 and older living in Nanjing, China, surveyed in 2023
  • Key finding: About 7 out of 10 people eat too much meat (more than recommended), while only about 3 out of 10 people eat enough vegetables. The typical person eats about 700 grams of meat per week and 200 grams of vegetables per day.
  • What it means for you: If you live in China or have similar eating patterns, you might benefit from eating less meat and significantly more vegetables. However, this study shows patterns in a specific region and time, so talk to your doctor about what’s right for your individual health situation.

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study, meaning researchers collected information from thousands of people at one point in time (2023) rather than following them over months or years. They randomly selected adults from across Nanjing Municipality and asked them about their eating habits. The researchers then compared what people actually ate to the official guidelines released by China’s Nutrition Society in 2022. They used statistical tools to figure out which types of people (based on age, income, education, health conditions, etc.) tended to eat more or less meat and vegetables.

Understanding what real people eat versus what experts recommend is the first step to improving public health. By identifying which groups eat too much meat or too few vegetables, health officials can design better education programs and interventions that target the people who need the most help. This type of large population study gives a clear picture of eating patterns across an entire region.

This study is reliable because it included a very large number of people (over 60,000) randomly selected from the whole municipality, which means the results likely represent the actual eating patterns of people in that region. The study used official government nutrition guidelines for comparison, making the assessment consistent and fair. However, because this is a snapshot study, it can only show what people eat at one moment in time—it cannot prove that eating too much meat causes health problems, only that the pattern exists.

What the Results Show

The study found that the typical person in the survey ate about 700 grams of meat per week (roughly 100 grams per day) and 200 grams of vegetables per day. When compared to official recommendations, the results were striking: only about 14% of people ate too little meat, 18% ate the right amount, and 68% ate too much. For vegetables, the picture was reversed—71% of people didn’t eat enough vegetables, while only 29% met the recommended amount. These numbers show a clear pattern: most people in this Chinese region are eating more animal products than recommended while falling short on plant-based foods.

The study also found that different groups of people had different eating patterns. Factors like age, education level, income, employment status, and whether someone had chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure all affected how much meat and vegetables people ate. For example, people with certain health conditions may have eaten differently than those without these conditions. These differences suggest that one-size-fits-all nutrition advice may not work for everyone, and health programs might need to be customized for different groups.

This research adds to existing knowledge about eating patterns in China by providing recent data from 2023, right after the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies have shown similar trends in many countries—people eating too much meat and not enough vegetables. This study confirms that pattern continues in China and provides specific numbers that health officials can use to set priorities for intervention programs.

Because this study took a snapshot at one moment in time, it can show what people eat but cannot prove that eating too much meat causes disease or that eating more vegetables prevents disease. The study only included people from one city (Nanjing), so results may not apply to rural areas or other regions of China with different food availability or cultural eating habits. The study relied on people reporting what they eat, which may not be perfectly accurate—people sometimes forget or underestimate how much they actually consume. Finally, the study cannot explain why people eat the way they do, only that certain groups tend to eat differently.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, if you live in a similar region or have similar eating patterns, consider eating less meat (aim for the recommended amounts rather than exceeding them) and significantly increasing your vegetable intake. The evidence suggests most people should roughly double their vegetable consumption. However, individual needs vary based on age, health conditions, and activity level, so consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian for personalized advice. Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows clear patterns but cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships.

Health officials and policymakers should care most about these findings, as they can use this data to design better nutrition education programs. People with chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure should especially pay attention, as the study suggests these conditions are linked to eating patterns. Anyone trying to improve their diet or prevent chronic disease should consider these findings. However, individual circumstances vary greatly, so personal medical advice from a doctor is always important.

Changes in eating habits typically take 2-4 weeks to become routine, but health benefits from eating more vegetables and less meat may take several months to become noticeable. For chronic disease prevention, consistent changes over months and years are what matter most. Don’t expect overnight results, but small, steady improvements add up to significant health benefits over time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vegetable intake in grams or servings for one week to establish your baseline, then set a goal to increase by 50 grams per day each week until you reach 200+ grams daily. Also track weekly meat consumption to ensure you’re staying within recommended limits (roughly 100 grams per day or 700 grams per week).
  • Start by adding one extra serving of vegetables to your lunch and dinner each day. Replace one meat-based meal per week with a vegetable-based alternative. Use the app to log these changes and celebrate small wins to build momentum.
  • Check your weekly averages every Sunday to see if you’re trending toward the recommended amounts. Set reminders to eat vegetables at each meal. If you have a chronic condition, share your tracking data with your healthcare provider to discuss whether your eating pattern changes are helping your health.

This study describes eating patterns in one Chinese city and cannot prove that specific eating habits cause or prevent disease. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, sex, activity level, health conditions, and medications. Before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or other chronic conditions, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. This research is informational and should not replace personalized medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals.