CDC
Eat a Variety of Fruits & Vegetables Every Day
What Counts as a Cup?

Home

Fruit and Vegetable Benefits

Fruit and Vegetable of the Month

What Counts as a Cup?

Tips

Recipes

Interactive Tools

Q&A

Publications

Health Professionals

Partner Web Sites

fruits & veggies more matters



One cup refers to a common measuring cup (the kind used in recipes). In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or 100% vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens can be considered as 1 cup from the vegetable group. One cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ½ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the fruit group.

The chart below shows simple ways to enjoy fruits and vegetable throughout the day, with corresponding cup amounts. Click here to see more examples of what counts as 1 cup or 1/2 cup of fruits and vegetables.

Morning

1 cup

1/2 cup

Small apple Bowl of cereal with bananas

1 small apple

1 small banana

Mid-day

1 cup

1/2 cup

Salad Baby carrots

1 cup of lettuce* and
1/2 cup of other vegetables

6 baby carrots

Evening

1 cup

1/2 cup

Dinner with sweet potato and green beans Grapes

1/2 large sweet potato and
1/2 cup of green beans

16 grapes

*1 cup of lettuce counts as 1/2 cup of vegetables

In addition to fruits and vegetables, a healthful diet also includes whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts, and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.


Back to Top
Home | Site Map | Contact Us | Q&A | Policies and Regulations | Email Icon Email this page | Printer Friendly Icon Print-friendly | Disclaimer | e-Government
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
  Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health
and Human Services
  National Cancer Institute National Cancer
Institute
  USA.gov www.usa.gov