American Heart Association campaigns to change diets across U.S. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
+ Regulatory
Amanda Rupp | Sep 24, 2016

American Heart Association campaigns to improve diets across U.S.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has created a landmark nationwide effort in its new initiative, +color, which focuses on transforming the American diet to include more fruits and vegetables.

As part of the initiative, Subway Restaurants has partnered with the AHA to help Americans add more fruits and vegetables to their diets.

The goal is to encourage Americans to eat the recommended quantities of fruits and vegetables each day. If they could achieve this, experts estimate that approximately 39,900 cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke deaths could be prevented, in addition to saving $7.9 billion in American medical costs each year.

“Through +color, we’ll empower communities and consumers of all ages, especially millennials, to eat more fruit and vegetables,” Dr. Rachel Johnson, professor of nutrition, The University of Vermont, and past chair of the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee, said. “We want to push the perceived limits and perceptions around what people think is healthy to what is actually going to help them improve their diet. It’s about adding colorful, nutritious and vitamin-packed fruit and vegetables to meals instead of choosing unhealthier options. It’s about showing America how easy it is to get more of these vital foods into their diet each day and how easy it is to share this information everywhere they go with everyone they know. This information has the power to help save lives.”

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