According to a study commissioned by PBH and conducted by NPD Foodworld Research, one simple resolution Americans could make to help lose weight and lead healthier lives is to return the side dish to the dinner table. The study shows that a long-term decline in consumption of side dishes -- traditionally healthy foods such as salads, steamed vegetables, potatoes or fruit cups -- has played a significant role in the continuing shortage of fruits and vegetables in the American diet.

"If all you do is pop a frozen meal into the microwave -- even one designed for one of today's popular diets -- you lose out on the healthy variety of fruits and vegetables that are necessary for a balanced diet," said Pivonka, a registered dietician with a Ph.D. in nutritional science.

The inclusion of side dishes has slowly declined from 67 percent in 1991 to 56 percent in 2004, and since more than two-thirds of all vegetable servings are eaten at dinner, this has contributed to a long-term decline in vegetable intake. While the research shows overall consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased for the first time in 15 years, most Americans still need to more than double their intake to reach recommendations outlined in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

"Adding a healthy side dish to the dinner table, while decreasing portion size of foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients, can have a significant impact on weight loss and control as well as long-term health," said Pivonka. "A good rule of thumb is to make half of what you serve at every meal fruits and vegetables, which will help most active adults reach the Dietary Guidelines recommendations."

The NPD research is one component of PBH's State of the Plate 2005, which compiles research by both NPD and ACNielsen exploring consumer eating patterns. For a copy of the State of the Plate 2005, contact Jill Le Brasseur at jlebrasseur@pbhfoundation.org / (302) 235-2329 ext. 326.

Produce for Better Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead the way to achieving increased daily consumption of fruits and vegetables by leveraging private industry resources, leveraging public sector resources, influencing policy makers, motivating key consumer influencers, and promoting fruits and vegetables directly to consumers. The foundation is chair and member of the National 5 A Day Partnership, consisting of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and industry working in collaboration to expand 5 A Day efforts to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables for improved public health. The 5 A Day for Better Health program is the nation's largest public-private nutrition education initiative with 5 A Day coordinators in each state, territory and the military. To learn more, visit http://www.5aday.org/ .