Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home
Share
Compartir

What Counts as a Cup?

One cup refers to a common measuring cup (the kind used in recipes). In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or 100% vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens can be considered as 1 cup from the vegetable group. One cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ½ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the fruit group.

See more examples of what counts as 1 cup or ½ cup of fruits and vegetables.

 

Morning
1 cup 1/2 cup
Small apple Bowl of cereal with bananas
1 small apple 1 small banana

Mid-day
1 cup 1/2 cup
Salad Baby carrots
1 cup of lettuce* and
1/2 cup of other vegetables		 6 baby carrots

Evening
1 cup 1/2 cup
Dinner with sweet potato and green beans Grapes
1/2 large sweet potato and
1/2 cup of green beans		 16 grapes



EXAMPLES OF 1 CUP
Small apple Large banana 1 medium grapefruit
1 small apple 1 large banana 1 medium grapefruit
     
1 large orange 1 medium pear watermelon wedge
1 large orange 1 medium pear 1 small wedge watermelon
     
2 large plums 8 strawberries 1 large bell pepper
2 large or 3 medium plums 8 large strawberries 1 large bell pepper
     
1 medium potato 2 large stalks of celery 1 cup cooked greens or 2 cups raw (spinach, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens)
1 medium potato 2 large stalks of celery 1 cup cooked greens or 2 cups raw (spinach, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens)
     
12 baby carrots 1 large sweet potato 1 large ear of corn
12 baby carrots
(or 2 medium carrots)		 1 large sweet potato 1 large ear of corn
     

EXAMPLES OF 1/2 CUP
Applesauce 16 grapes 1 medium cantaloupe wedge
1 snack container of applesauce (4oz) 16 grapes 1 medium cantaloupe wedge
     
1/2 medium grapefruit 4 large strawberries 5 broccoli florets
1/2 medium grapefruit 4 large strawberries 5 broccoli florets
     
6 baby carrots Large plum 1 small box (1/4 cup) of raisins
6 baby carrots 1 large plum 1 small box (1/4 cup) of raisins
     

 

 
Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Rd
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
  • cdcinfo@cdc.gov
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
A-Z Index
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #