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New Report Shows Every State’s Lopsided Fruit, Veggie, and Sugary Drink Intake Among Young Children

New Report Shows Every State’s Lopsided Fruit, Veggie, and Sugary Drink Intake Among Young Children

The eating habits of America’s youngsters have been improving, but a recent study by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the nation has more work to do. The study found that children aged 1 to 5 eat far fewer fruits and vegetables than they should, and consume more sugar-sweetened beverages. (These are 25 foods that are wrecking your teeth and gums.)

To compile a list of just how much fruits, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages children in that age group consume in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a report published this month by the CDC, based on data for 2021 from the National Survey of Children’s Health. Percentages are weighted to account for complex survey design and adjusted for the probability of selection, nonresponse, and demographic factors to represent children in each state between the age of 1 and 5.

The National Survey of Children’s Health that examined the frequency intake of 18,386 children in that age range for fruits, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages, nationally and by state. On a national level, during the week preceding the survey, 32.1% of America’s children didn’t eat a daily fruit, 49.1% did not consume a daily vegetable, and 57.1% drank a sugar-sweetened beverage at least once. (Here are some easy ways to be a healthier person.)

Percentages vary dramatically from state to state. In Vermont, 30.4% of children ate no daily vegetable and 16.3% ate no daily fruit. In Louisiana, those numbers were 64.3% and 49.(%, respectively. The percentage of children who imbibed a sugar-sweetened drink at least once during the preceding week ranged from 38.8% in Maine to 79.3% in Mississippi.

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Alabama
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 39.3% — 7th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 57.3% — 3rd highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 66.5% — 9th highest

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

Alaska
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 21.6% — 5th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 50.0% — 21st highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 54.9% — 22nd lowest

Source: Gregory Clifford / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Arizona
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 30.0% — 20th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 50.6% — 18th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 59.6% — 18th highest

Source: cwsteeds / Flickr

Arkansas
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 36.3% — 15th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 51.5% — 17th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 66.1% — 11th highest

Source: noblige / iStock via Getty Images

California
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 32.3% — 25th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 50.5% — 19th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 53.9% — 17th lowest

Source: MichaelSvoboda / E+ via Getty Images

Colorado
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 25.6% — 9th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 47.2% — 20th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 56.1% — 24th lowest

Source: Lisa5201 / E+ via Getty Images

Connecticut
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 33.5% — 21st highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 48.5% — 25th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 42.5% — 4th lowest

Source: aparlette / Flickr

Delaware
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 28.7% — 17th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 53.6% — 10th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 54.2% — 19th lowest

Source: THEPALMER / E+ via Getty Images

Florida
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 34.4% — 18th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 52.0% — 15th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 57.5% — 24th highest

Source: Marilyn Nieves / E+ via Getty Images

Georgia
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 37.6% — 11th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 47.9% — 24th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 62.5% — 15th highest

Source: sfe-co2 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Hawaii
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 38.6% — 8th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 55.5% — 8th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 54.3% — 20th lowest

Source: Charles Wollertz / iStock via Getty Images

Idaho
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 38.3% — 9th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 50.4% — 20th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 68.6% — 6th highest

Source: Page Light Studios / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Illinois
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 31.0% — 23rd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 49.8% — 23rd highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 52.3% — 13th lowest

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Indiana
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 43.1% — 3rd highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 53.2% — 11th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 66.7% — 7th highest

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Iowa
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 32.3% — 25th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 49.9% — 22nd highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 54.7% — 21st lowest

Source: Mathias Jaime / iStock via Getty Images

Kansas
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 34.8% — 17th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 43.4% — 9th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 56.2% — 25th lowest

Source: Chaos / Photodisc via Getty Images

Kentucky
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 42.7% — 4th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 54.4% — 9th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 59.0% — 20th highest

Source: Page Light Studios / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Louisiana
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 49.9% — the highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 64.3% — the highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 70.2% — 4th highest

Source: CHBD / iStock via Getty Images

Maine
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 20.0% — 3rd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 33.9% — 2nd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 38.6% — the lowest

Source: NetaDegany / iStock via Getty Images

Maryland
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 26.3% — 12th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 46.4% — 18th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 57.6% — 23rd highest

Source: EvgeniiAnd / iStock via Getty Images

Massachusetts
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 20.1% — 4th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 46.7% — 19th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 46.7% — 8th lowest

Source: JacquelineSouthby / iStock via Getty Images

Michigan
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 31.0% — 23rd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 44.3% — 13th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 53.2% — 16th lowest

Source: emholk / E+ via Getty Images

Minnesota
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 22.1% — 6th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 41.2% — 5th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 55.5% — 23rd lowest

Source: emholk / iStock via Getty Images

Mississippi
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 47.3% — 2nd highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 55.8% — 6th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 79.3% — the highest

Source: Lana2011 / iStock via Getty Images

Missouri
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 37.0% — 13th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 44.3% — 13th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 60.1% — 17th highest

Source: Bkamprath / E+ via Getty Images

Montana
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 29.2% — 18th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 42.8% — 7th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 59.0% — 20th highest

Source: Matt Bills / iStock via Getty Images

Nebraska
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 33.5% — 21st highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 52.2% — 14th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 59.5% — 19th highest

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Nevada
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 33.4% — 23rd highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 44.2% — 10th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 57.0% — 25th highest

Source: sphraner / iStock via Getty Images

New Hampshire
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 22.2% — 7th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 38.5% — 4th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 41.7% — 3rd lowest

Source: Marc Dufresne / E+ via Getty Images

New Jersey
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 32.6% — 25th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 57.1% — 4th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 53.2% — 16th lowest

Source: MargaretW / iStock via Getty Images

New Mexico
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 41.1% — 5th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 47.7% — 23rd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 66.2% — 10th highest

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New York
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 37.8% — 10th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 55.6% — 7th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 49.3% — 10th lowest

Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

North Carolina
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 26.4% — 13th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 49.1% — 25th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 54.0% — 18th lowest

Source: aparlette / Flickr

North Dakota
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 32.7% — 24th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 44.3% — 13th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 63.6% — 14th highest

Source: JerryGrugin / iStock via Getty Images

Ohio
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 27.1% — 14th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 45.8% — 17th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 51.1% — 12th lowest

Source: Susan Vineyard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Oklahoma
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 37.5% — 12th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 57.5% — 2nd highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 72.6% — 2nd highest

Source: RyanJLane / E+ via Getty Images

Oregon
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 26.1% — 10th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 43.2% — 8th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 48.6% — 9th lowest

Source: SerrNovik / iStock via Getty Images

Pennsylvania
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 27.4% — 15th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 44.5% — 14th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 44.9% — 5th lowest

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

Rhode Island
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 34.1% — 20th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 56.2% — 5th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 52.6% — 14th lowest

Source: Michele Westmorland / DigitalVision via Getty Images

South Carolina
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 34.3% — 19th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 47.5% — 22nd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 61.5% — 16th highest

Source: PhotoSparks / iStock via Getty Images

South Dakota
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 36.7% — 14th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 52.7% — 12th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 58.1% — 22nd highest

Source: Kirkikis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Tennessee
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 36.2% — 16th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 42.5% — 6th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 72.1% — 3rd highest

Source: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images

Texas
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 29.9% — 19th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 47.3% — 21st lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 68.8% — 5th highest

Source: RichVintage / E+ via Getty Images

Utah
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 28.4% — 16th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 52.5% — 13th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 66.6% — 8th highest

Source: Holly_Powers / iStock via Getty Images

Vermont
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 16.3% — the lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 30.4% — the lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 41.3% — 2nd lowest

Source: Grandbrothers / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Virginia
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 30.8% — 21st lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 51.8% — 16th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 45.7% — 6th lowest

Source: chinaface / E+ via Getty Images

Washington
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 19.4% — 2nd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 35.5% — 3rd lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 46.3% — 7th lowest

Source: Imgorthand / E+ via Getty Images

West Virginia
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 40.0% — 6th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 49.6% — 24th highest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 64.9% — 12th highest

Source: deerez / iStock via Getty Images

Wisconsin
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 26.3% — 12th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 44.9% — 15th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 50.9% — 11th lowest

Source: ImagineGolf / iStock via Getty Images

Wyoming
> Children aged 1-5 who eat fruit less than once a day: 25.5% — 8th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who eat vegetables less than once a day: 45.4% — 16th lowest
> Children aged 1-5 who consume sugar-sweetened drinks at least once a week: 64.3% — 13th highest

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