By Elizabeth Jarrard, Dietetics Student, Sargent College

Last Week the CDC released a report showing that Americans are falling short on eating enough Fruits and Vegetables. Numerous studies have shown that increasing F&V servings can help to reduce the risk for many of the leading causes of death in this country, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But only 1/3 of adults consumed fruit two or more times per day and 26% consumed vegetables three or more times per day, far short of national targets set by the Dietary Guidelines and Healthy People 2010.  Public health efforts to increase consumption seem to be falling short, so what can be done to turn these statistics around?

The Carrot farmers of America think they have an idea-Making baby carrots just as cool as junk food. With a genius new marketing campaign, they urge consumers to-“eat em like junk food.”

Food marketing is only 2nd to the auto industry in number of dollars spent on advertising, and the vast majority of that goes to fast food restaurants and junk food snacks. I fully support a shift in advertising from McDonalds to something more healthful. With tongue in cheek youtube videos that play on common marketing ploys, we find we can INDULGE with baby carrots, that baby carrots are XTREME, and also the snack of the future.

Baby Carrots ARE cool! Scurry on over to their new, flashy website, or read their highly amusing twitter feed. Here’s a sample:

• #Eatem like you just got paid.
• @DoritosUSA Want cool ranch? You should see our carrot farm.#babycarrots
• Some say baby carrots give you vision like an eagle. Maybe that’s because we’re the snack of freedom.
• Never trust a snack that can live forever. #twinkies Do you like baby carrots??

Next time you’re at CityCo or the supermarket, pick up a pack of baby carrots, grab some hummus and try it as a snack!

Do you think you eat enough fruits and vegetables? Is getting 5-9 servings a realistic goal for you? Do these commercials make you crave baby carrots?