38 answers
Is it healthy?
Data-grounded answers for foods people actually search for. Each page ties its verdict to the USDA nutrient panel behind the FoodScore, and tells you who the food fits and when it stops being healthy — no marketing adjectives.
Score 70Is quinoa healthy?Whole-grain-adjacent pseudocereal with complete protein; strong fiber; naturally gluten-free. Healthy for most; watch portion for low-carb patterns.Score 85Is salmon healthy?Omega-3-dense fish at the top of USDA DGA recommendations; protein complete; moderate mercury. Very healthy for most; pregnancy should choose lower-mercury species.Score 85Is tofu healthy?Minimally processed soy protein; complete amino acid profile; isoflavones debunked as hormone disruptors at normal intakes. Very healthy for most.Score 85Are rolled oats healthy?Beta-glucan-rich whole grain; LDL-lowering evidence is strong; watch flavored / instant variants. Exceptionally healthy for most.Score 64Is Chobani Greek yogurt healthy?High-protein minimally processed dairy; plain nonfat version is one of the cleanest US yogurts. Flavored versions add sugar — nuance matters.Score 37Is Gatorade healthy?Engineered electrolyte drink with significant added sugar; context-dependent (useful for endurance athletes, poor for sedentary daily use).Score 85Is avocado healthy?Whole fruit high in monounsaturated fat, fiber, potassium. Calorie-dense but nutrient-rich; healthy at typical portions for most.Score 62Is banana healthy?Whole fruit rich in potassium and resistant starch (especially green); natural sugar comes packaged with fiber. Healthy for nearly everyone.Score 48Is almond milk healthy?Low-calorie plant milk, poor natural source of protein or calcium but often fortified. Healthy in context; not a protein substitute for dairy milk.Score 64Is hummus healthy?Chickpea + tahini dip rich in fiber, plant protein, unsaturated fat. Healthy at moderate portions; sodium in commercial brands is the main caveat.Score 22Is dark chocolate healthy?Higher cacao = more flavanols and fiber, less added sugar. A small daily square fits most diets; not a license for a whole bar.Score 59Is peanut butter healthy?Whole-peanut butter with no added oils/sugar is a dense source of unsaturated fat and plant protein. Commercial varieties add palm oil / sugar — choose the natural form.Score 45Is coconut oil healthy?Saturated-fat dense cooking oil; AHA and USDA DGA both flag it. Not a superfood — moderate use at best; olive oil is the better default.Score 85Is popcorn healthy?Air-popped whole grain; high volume, low calorie, decent fiber. Commercial/microwave versions change the math entirely.Score 85Is sushi healthy?Depends heavily on the roll. California roll = refined-rice-heavy with imitation crab; rolls with fatty fish and avocado are genuinely nutritious.Score 64Is kombucha healthy?Fermented tea with live microbes; probiotic claims outpace evidence. Plain is fine; flavored brands often add sugar.Score 48Is kefir healthy?Fermented dairy with more diverse microbial strains than yogurt; protein and calcium dense. Healthy for most; plain form essential.Score 71Is cottage cheese healthy?High-protein minimally processed dairy; often overlooked. Low sodium variants are ideal; full-fat versions fit keto.Score 85Are eggs healthy?Whole egg dietary cholesterol no longer linked to blood cholesterol for most. Protein, choline, vitamin D, lutein. Healthy for nearly everyone.Score 75Is kale healthy?One of the most nutrient-dense vegetables per calorie. Vitamin K, A, C, fiber. Healthy for nearly everyone; warfarin users need to keep intake consistent.Score 68Is broccoli healthy?Cruciferous vegetable with sulforaphane and strong fiber; widely studied. Very healthy; thyroid concerns are overblown at dietary intakes.Score 69Are sweet potatoes healthy?Whole tuber rich in beta-carotene and fiber; lower glycemic than white potato. Healthy for most; carb density matters for low-carb patterns.Score 60Is white rice healthy?Refined grain with lower fiber than brown; context-dependent. Fine as a staple paired with fiber and protein; poor as a daily single-food.Score 60Is brown rice healthy?Whole grain with bran intact; higher fiber and magnesium than white rice. Healthy for most; arsenic concerns are real but manageable.Score 63Is pasta healthy?Refined wheat noodle; mostly a vehicle for what you pair it with. Whole-wheat or legume-based versions score better; al dente matters.Score 61Is canned tuna healthy?Very lean protein source with omega-3s; light tuna lower in mercury than albacore. Healthy for most at 2–3 servings/week.Score 72Are sardines healthy?Small whole-fish source of EPA/DHA, calcium (from bones), and B12. Very low mercury. Exceptionally healthy and underappreciated.Score 18Is honey healthy?Natural sugar — still sugar. Small antioxidant / antimicrobial advantages over table sugar, but calorically and glycemically similar.Score 64Is maple syrup healthy?Natural sweetener with trace minerals; metabolically still an added sugar. Better than table sugar only at the margin.Score 49Is oat milk healthy?Plant milk with more carbs than almond milk; fortified brands match dairy for calcium/D. Watch added sugar in 'original' variants.Score 61Is cheddar cheese healthy?Dense source of calcium, protein, and saturated fat + sodium. Moderate amounts fit a mediterranean pattern; heavy daily intake is a problem.Score 62Is whole milk healthy?Whole dairy with complete protein, calcium, B12. Saturated fat level is the main trade-off; recent evidence suggests neutral cardiovascular impact.Score 47Is butter healthy?Mostly saturated fat; fine as a flavor, not as a staple. Olive oil is the better default for everyday cooking per AHA and USDA DGA.Score 59Is olive oil healthy?Cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet; predominantly monounsaturated with polyphenols. Exceptionally healthy; EVOO > refined olive oil.Score 85Are chia seeds healthy?Soluble fiber + ALA omega-3. Useful for satiety and bowel health; needs hydration. Healthy for most at 1–2 tablespoons per day.Score 84Are almonds healthy?Tree nut with vitamin E, magnesium, unsaturated fat. Calorie-dense — handful portions. Healthy for most; almonds > almond flour for nutrient density.Score 79Are walnuts healthy?Highest ALA omega-3 of any tree nut; polyphenol-rich. Very healthy at 1 oz/day; rancidity is real — store sealed and cool.Score 55Is bacon healthy?Processed meat on IARC Group 1. Saturated fat + sodium + nitrites. Not healthy as a staple; fine as an occasional flavor.