Top 10 healthiest foods in the world according to AI (stay alive)

Recently, I wrote a piece ranking the top 10 healthiest foods in the world and argued why you should eat them if you want to, you know, stay alive.

My concept was simple: I did some searching and found a bunch of articles and reports from reputable sources that ranked “healthiest foods in the world.”

After that, I ranked the foods by the number of mentions to determine my list.

You can read the full article here, but here’s how my that shook out:

1. Dark green leaves: Every article I read about “the healthiest foods in the world” mentioned dark green leaves of some kind, and they all mentioned at least one of the following: Kale, Spinach, Broccoli.
2. Nuts: In particular, one of almonds or walnuts was mentioned in each piece. Brazil nuts had the third-highest number of mentions.
3. Berries: My personal favorite.
4. Sweet potato: Tasty root veggies are filled with key vitamins.
5. Avocado: Another filling, healthy treat that is packed with fiber and healthy fats. (tie) Oats/Oatmeal: Antioxidant-rich oats have a great rep for supporting heart health. (tie)

7. Pumpkin Seeds, beans (tie)

9. Garlic, dark chocolate, wheat germ (tie)

Since AI is a such a hot topic right now (and because AI is probably a lot better than me at aggregating information) I decided to take another crack at this and ask ChatGPT to rank the top 10 healthiest foods in the world and see how they compared to my own list.

The top 10 healthiest foods according to AI

Here was the response:

Determining the absolute “top 10 healthiest foods” can vary based on individual nutritional needs and preferences. However, some foods are consistently considered highly nutritious due to their beneficial properties. Here’s a list of foods that are often regarded as among the healthiest:

1. Spinach: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, spinach is low in calories and high in nutrients like iron, vitamins A, C, and K, and folate.
2. Kale: Another leafy green loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and minerals like calcium and potassium.
3. Blueberries: Rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, blueberries provide fiber, vitamins C and K, and may offer various health benefits, including brain health and reducing oxidative stress.
4. Salmon: A fatty fish abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, which are essential for heart health and brain function. Salmon is also a great source of protein and various vitamins and minerals like B vitamins and selenium.
5. Quinoa: A gluten-free grain packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients such as magnesium, iron, and manganese. It’s a complete protein, providing all nine essential amino acids.
6. Broccoli: A cruciferous vegetable rich in vitamins C, K, and folate. Broccoli contains antioxidants and has been associated with various health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers.
7. Almonds: High in healthy fats, fiber, protein, and essential nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, and manganese. They’re also known to benefit heart health.
8. Greek Yogurt: A good source of probiotics (beneficial bacteria for gut health), protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. Opt for plain Greek yogurt to avoid added sugars.
9. Olive Oil: Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants like oleic acid and oleocanthal, olive oil is associated with heart health benefits and has anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Sweet Potatoes: Packed with fiber, vitamins (especially A and C), and minerals like potassium and manganese. They’re also rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene.

These foods are considered nutrient-dense and offer various health benefits, but it’s essential to have a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods to ensure you get all the necessary nutrients for optimal health.

No meat, no dairy

I’m happy to report I consume each of the top three every single day.

My morning always starts with a blueberry and kale smoothie, and I get spinach in my lunch wraps.

I was surprised to see Greek yogurt on the list.

I’m trying my very best to shift to a plant-based diet, and since my own list had zero meat or dairy, I asked again with those categories removed.

Here was the response:

Sure, focusing on plant-based foods, here’s a list of some of the healthiest foods available:

1. Spinach: Packed with nutrients like iron, calcium, vitamins A, C, and K, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin.
2. Kale: Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and minerals like calcium and potassium.
3. Blueberries: Loaded with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins C and K, and various health-promoting phytochemicals.
4. Quinoa: A complete protein source, high in fiber, and rich in essential nutrients such as magnesium, iron, and manganese.
5. Broccoli: Contains vitamins C, K, and folate, along with antioxidants and potential cancer-fighting compounds.
6. Almonds: High in healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, and other beneficial nutrients.
7. Chia Seeds: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals.
8. Lentils: A great source of plant-based protein, fiber, folate, iron, and other essential nutrients.
9. Avocado: Packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants.
10. Sweet Potatoes: High in fiber, vitamins (especially A and C), and minerals like potassium and manganese, while also offering antioxidants.

It’s kind of interesting to see how the answers shift from ask to ask.

For example, in the second list, avocado pops out of nowhere to jump ahead of sweet potatoes, while lentils and chia seeds also jump into the top 10.

There’s no variance in the top 3 however — spinach, kale, blueberries.

If you aren’t eating these every day, it might be time to consider adding them to your rotation!

Determining the ultimate list

As you can see, there’s a lot of overlap here, and especially a lot of similarities at the top.

Honestly, you can’t really go wrong building a diet around any of the foods listed above (while accounting for food allergies, of course).

So why I am once again obsessed with ranking the healthiest foods in the world?

As I get deeper into my 40s, I’m starting to realize that I’m at an age where I can no longer outrun my diet.

Even though I work out every day, I’m starting to find that it takes more effort to generate more modest results.

A little while ago, I wrote a piece on what the notoriously fit septuagenarian Bruce Springsteen said about staying cut after 70.

This quote stood out:

“The biggest thing is diet, diet, diet.

“I don’t eat too much and I don’t eat bad food, except once in a while when I have some fun for myself.

“So I think anybody that’s trying to get in shape, exercise is always important of course, but diet is 90 percent of the game.”

At this point, I get more pleasure out of building a diet around foods that keep me lean and healthy than I do from short-lived sugar bombs and heavy meats anyway.

As I continue the march toward 50, the foods listed in this story will continue to play a bigger role in my everyday diet.

Thanks a bunch for reading! If you enjoyed this piece, please give it a clap or two so others can find it!

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