Brown and beige dominate the plate: Daily dose of color needed to fill America's 'phytonut...(lt to eat the recommended five to 13 ser...)

There are thousands of phytonutrients gaining attention in the nutrition world, according to Hendel. "Phytonutrients offer a wide range of potential health benefits from promoting eye, bone and heart health to supporting immune and brain function," she said.

Some phytonutrients, like lycopene from red tomatoes or cartenoids found in oranges and carrots, may sound familiar, while others such as lutein found in greens like spinach and broccoli or allicin found in garlic are just being recognized.

"While eating whole fruits and vegetables first is the goal, natural, plant-based supplements like those made by Nutrilite can help fill the phytonutrient gap," Hendel said.

Ongoing Shortfall in Fruit/Vegetable Consumption

America's Phytonutrient Report comes on the heels of a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that showed no U.S. state meets national objectives for fruit and vegetable consumption. The report noted that "a diet high in fruits and vegetables is important for optimal child growth, maintaining a healthy weight and prevention of chronic diseases"

"America's Phytonutrient Report is another confirmation that we are not getting enough fruits and vegetables in our diet," said Douglas MacKay, a licensed naturopathic doctor and vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition. "There are many reasons people struggle to get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, from portability to convenience to availability," MacKay added. "Supplements should never take the place of whole foods, but high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements can play a role in promoting good health and helping prevent disease."

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