United States Department of Agriculture MyPyramid.gov
Inside The Pyramid
Vegetables

How many vegetables are needed daily or weekly?
Divider
The amount of vegetables you need to eat depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity. Recommended total daily amounts are shown in the first chart. Recommended weekly amounts from each vegetable subgroup are shown in the second chart.

Daily recommendation*
Children
2-3 years old
1 cup**
 
4-8 years old
1 ½ cups**
Girls
9-13 years old
2 cups**
 
14-18 years old
2 ½ cups**
Boys
9-13 years old
2 ½ cups**
 
14-18 years old
3 cups**
Women
19-30 years old
2 ½ cups**
 
31-50 years old
2 ½ cups**
 
51+ years old
2 cups**
Men
19-30 years old
3 cups**
 
31-50 years old
3 cups**
 
51+ years old
2 ½ cups**

*These amounts are appropriate for individuals who get less than 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity, beyond normal daily activities. Those who are more physically active may be able to consume more while staying within calorie needs. Click here for more information about physical activity.
** Click here to see what counts as a cup of vegetables.

Vegetable subgroup recommendations are given as amounts to eat WEEKLY. It is not necessary to eat vegetables from each subgroup daily. However, over a week, try to consume the amounts listed from each subgroup as a way to reach your daily intake recommendation.

 
Dark green vegetables
Orange Vegetables
Dry beans and peas
Starchy vegetables
Other vegetables
AMOUNT PER WEEK**
Children
2–3 years old
1 cup
½ cup
½ cup
1 ½ cups
4 cups
 
4–8 years old
1 ½ cups
1 cup
1 cup
2 ½ cups
4 ½ cups
Girls
9–13 years old
2 cups
1 ½ cups
2 ½ cups
2 ½ cups
5 ½ cups
 
14–18 years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
3 cups
6 ½ cups
Boys
9–13 years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
3 cups
6 ½ cups
 
14–18 years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
6 cups
7 cups
Women
19–30 years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
3 cups
6 ½ cups
 
31–50 years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
3 cups
6 ½ cups
 
51+ years old
2 cups
1 ½ cups
2 ½ cups
2 ½ cups
5 ½ cups
Men
19–30 years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
6 cups
7 cups
 
31–50 years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
6 cups
7 cups
 
51+ years old
3 cups
2 cups
3 cups
3 cups
6 ½ cups
** Click here to see what counts as a cup of vegetables.
fruits & veggies more matters

Offering expert cooking advice, nutrition information, and shopping tips, the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters campaign demonstrates that eating MORE fruits and vegetables does matter to all of us. The Fruits & Veggies—More Matters campaign replaces the 5 A Day for Better Health Program. http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/