Penn State students who do not eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables per day are hardly alone in their eating habits.

According to a recent study, just 21 percent of Americans aged 18 to 24 consume the recommended three servings of vegetables per day, and 30 percent eat the recommended two daily servings of fruit.

The study, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also found that fewer than one-third of American adults eat the amount of fruits and vegetables the government recommends.

"Based on my experiences working with students, I think students feel they eat more fruits and veggies than they actually do, and they don't vary them," said Melissa Martilotta, director of the Penn State nutrition clinic.

Martilotta said vegetables are now sub-grouped into five different categories, each providing a certain type of nutrient.

"The main ones to consider are dark green and orange vegetables. Those each supply unique nutrients called phytochemicals, which can reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease," she said.

If limited to only one type of fruit or vegetable, students will be missing other nutrients, Martilotta said.

"It's not enough to have just three cups of vegetables; you have to think about where they come from," she said.

Lisa Wandel, associate director of Food Services, said the campus dining commons provides a variety of fruits and vegetables.

"Everyone has their likes and dislikes. On a daily basis, we make sure there's a variety of vegetables and hand fruits," she said.

Wandel said the most popular vegetable among students seems to be corn, followed by broccoli and the Kyoto and Monaco vegetable blends.

"Vegetable blends are more appealing to students. It costs more, but we're willing to take that because we want students to eat them," she said.

Wandel said, however, that the dining commons can only do so much.

"We offer fruits and vegetables at lunch and dinner, but many students bypass them and go for the French fries instead. Short of putting them on their plates, there's not much we can do," she said.

Anna Sofio (freshman-public relations) said she thought students were less likely to eat fruits and vegetables in college than at home.

"They've been forced to eat them for their whole lives and then they don't want to when they get to college," she said.

Martilotta said the key to getting students to eat healthier foods lies in education.

"We want to appeal to college students' common sense, because they just don't think about [eating fruits and vegetables], and they should," she said.