Fruit and vegetable consumption, 2014

Warning View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Fruit and vegetables are an important source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.Note 1

Fruit and vegetable consumption data are based on a survey question that measures the number of times respondents reported that they consumed fruit and vegetables, rather than the actual quantity consumed.

In 2014, 39.5% of Canadians aged 12 and older, roughly 11.2 million people, reported that they consumed fruit and vegetables five or more times per day. This rate is a decrease from 40.8% in 2013. Reported fruit and vegetable consumption has been lower in the last five years compared to 2009 when it peaked at 45.6%.

From 2001 to 2014, females were more likely than males to consume fruit and vegetables five or more times daily. In 2014, 46.6% (6.7 million) of females consumed fruit and vegetables five or more times daily, compared with 32.1% (4.5 million) of males (Chart 1).

Chart 1

Description for chart 1

In 2014, more than 44% of females in each age group reported that they ate fruit and vegetables five or more times daily. The rate was higher for females than for males in all age groups. Young males aged 12 to 19 (39.3%) were more likely to consume fruit and vegetables five or more times a day compared to males in all other age groups (Chart 2).

Chart 2

Description for chart 2

The proportion of residents who reported eating fruit and vegetables at least five times daily was lower than the national average (39.5%) in:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador (25.7%)
  • Prince Edward Island (30.9%)
  • Nova Scotia (30.9%)
  • New Brunswick (34.3%)
  • Ontario (38.1%)
  • Manitoba (31.0%)
  • Saskatchewan (36.0%)
  • Northwest Territories (31.8%)
  • Nunavut (23.9%)

The proportion of residents who reported eating fruit and vegetables at least five times daily was higher than the national average in Quebec (46.3%).

Residents of Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon reported rates that were about the same rate as the national average.

Note

References

Garriguet, Didier. 2007. “Canadians’ eating habits.” Health Reports. Vol. 18, no. 2. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. p. 17–32. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2006004/article/habit/9609-eng.pdf.

Pérez, Claudio E. 2002. “Fruit and vegetable consumption.” Health Reports. Vol. 13, no. 3. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. p. 23–31. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/studies-etudes/82-003/archive/2002/6103-eng.pdf.

Data

Additional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey are available from CANSIM table 105–0501.

Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: