It seems many Americans aren’t taking the old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" too seriously. A new government study has found that the general public isn’t eating enough fruits and vegetables.

According to HealthDay, a survey done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests only 33 percent of adults eat the recommended amount of fruit and only 27percent eat the recommended amount of vegetables every day.

High school students are eating more poorly as well, with just 32 percent eating enough fruit and 13 percent eating enough vegetables.

"A diet high in fruits and vegetables is important for optimal child growth, maintaining a healthy weight, and prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, all of which currently contribute to health care costs in the U.S.," said the CDC’s Dr William Dietz.

The CDC says just how much fruit and vegetables you need to eat every day depends on your age, sex and level of physical activity.

When adding more to your diet, think color. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C.

And, remember, dried and frozen fruits are great alternatives when your favorites aren’t in season.