Dietary Trends Among U.S. Adults: More Whole Grains, Nuts, and Fruit, and Fewer Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Researchers assessed trends in U.S. dietary patterns and intake of major food components by examining nationally representative survey data that were collected between 1999 and 2012 from ≈34,000 adults. Surveys were based on 24-hour dietary recall; findings were stratified by age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, and income.

During the study period, daily mean consumption of whole grains increased significantly (by 0.43 servings); increase in mean intake of nuts, seeds, and legumes (0.26 servings) also was significant, as was that of whole fruit (0.15 servings). Mean daily consumption of 100% fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages decreased significantly (by 0.11 servings and 0.49 servings); vegetable intake did not change significantly…