Your State’s Favorite Superfood [New 2023 Study]

A healthy diet may seem out of reach, and getting all of our necessary daily nutrients is not always easy. Thankfully, superfoods contain high amounts of nutrients without adding excessive calories.

Our analysts at Live it Up took a look at the data and compiled a list of each state’s favorite superfood, and the results may surprise you. Whether you’re familiar with some of these nutritious foods or just getting started, we added a brief guide about some of the most popular superfoods and their health benefits.

Facts & Findings

• Nearly half of all US States (20 total) love broccoli the most. 
• It’s estimated that only 10-12% of Americans meet fruit and vegetable intake recommendations.
• The least favorite superfoods in the nation are chia, acai, and blueberries, which were the favorite in only one state each.

About Superfoods

Superfoods contain high amounts of nutrients without excessive calories. They come in many forms, and each superfood may offer various health benefits. Generally, they have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, fibers, and healthy fat that can help our body thrive. Although the name may sound intimidating, superfoods are easily accessible online, and some local grocery stores or farmer’s markets may keep stock. 

Before incorporating these healthy foods into your diet, it’s best to speak with a doctor to discuss any health concerns. Although superfoods offer lots of nutritional value, they can sometimes cause adverse reactions if you have preexisting health issues. In addition, always make sure to check the nutritional information and figure out what works best for your diet. 

Kale

Kale comes in a few different varieties, but curly kale is the most common. Most people say it has a peppery taste, but rare kinds like Russian kale may taste a bit sweeter. This leafy vegetable contains high levels of vitamins A, K, B6, and C, plus calcium, potassium, copper, and manganese. In addition to nutrient density, kale only has 33 calories and 7 grams of carbohydrates per cup.

Chia

Chia seeds offer multiple health benefits and can be added to various foods. They’re either black or white, and a chia seed resembles the size of a grain of rice, if not smaller. Chia has high levels of polyunsaturated fat, fiber, protein, zinc, calcium, and phosphorous. A single ounce contains roughly 140 calories and all nine essential amino acids.  

Typically, chia seeds will soak in liquid (such as milk or greek yogurt) before consumption. They taste great with various recipes, and they can commonly be found in grocery stores or online. 

Spinach

Spinach, a leafy vegetable, contains several nutrients and antioxidants with few calories. A cup of spinach has more than 20 nutrients plus dietary fibers, calcium, and protein. It’s also rich in vitamins K and A, but a cup only has 40 calories. Whether bought fresh, frozen, or in a can, spinach is an excellent addition to most people’s diets and delivers tons of nutrients per serving. 

It’s also referred to as “baby spinach” and makes an ideal base for a salad or can cook like other leafy greens. Talk with your health provider before consuming large amounts of spinach or if you’re concerned about high levels of oxalates. 

Broccoli

Believe it or not, broccoli is a form of cabbage and belongs to the mustard family. Broccoli can be consumed fresh or cooked, and it has high levels of nutrients, including potassium, folic acid, and vitamins A, C, and K. One cup only contains 54 calories and 0.64 grams of fat. It delivers more than the needed amount of vitamin C in a single serving.

Broccoli tastes great when steamed, sauteed, or even eaten raw. It provides tons of antioxidants and nutrients per serving, and it also works as a convenient health powder that can be added to water and prepared in just a couple of minutes.

Blueberries

Want something sweet but healthy? A cup of blueberries delivers fiber, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C and K at only 80 calories. Blueberries are proven to have many health benefits, can support gut health, and they taste great in multiple recipes or eaten by themselves. Blueberries are related to cranberries; they contain tiny seeds and have a deep violet color when ripe. 

Blueberries are a great smoothie ingredient and can add great flavor without sacrificing nutrition.

Açaí

Açaí berries come from açaí palms which commonly grow along the Amazon River. Açaí can deliver tons of antioxidants and rich nutrients. It has a sweet and tart flavor, similar to other berries, and can be a great addition to yogurts or smoothies. It’s possible that açaí may help to support weight loss, efforts.

Quinoa

Quinoa originally comes from South America and has been around for thousands of years. Quinoa is technically a seed but is commonly classified as a whole grain. Quinoa has rich amounts of phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin B1, and it also has all nine essential amino acids. 

In addition, quinoa is naturally gluten-free and can work with different kinds of diets. Quinoa usually cooks similar to rice and soaks in hot water to activate. It can also be added to cereals or yogurts as a topping. It provides lots of protein and nutritional benefits, and it’s incredibly versatile and works well with a variety of foods.  

Avocado

Also known as an alligator pear, avocados are an edible fruit originally from Mexico. Avocados are known for high levels of thiamin, vitamin A, riboflavin, and healthy fats. Avocados make great additions to toast, mashed into guacamole, or paired with a salad. Hass avocados generally are the most popular type in the United States, but there are a few other varieties of the fruit, such as the Mexican avocado. 

Methodology

We looked at Google search trends for eight commonly known superfoods and analyzed their relative search volumes to find out which is the favorite in every state.

State	Favorite Superfood
Alabama	Broccoli
Alaska	Quinoa
Arizona	Avocado
Arkansas	Spinach
California	Avocado
Colorado	Avocado
Connecticut	Broccoli
Delaware	Broccoli
District of Columbia	Kale
Florida	Avocado
Georgia	Spinach
Hawaii	Acai
Idaho	Quinoa
Illinois	Spinach
Indiana	Broccoli
Iowa	Kale
Kansas	Broccoli
Kentucky	Broccoli
Louisiana	Spinach
Maine	Blueberry
Maryland	Spinach
Massachusetts	Broccoli
Michigan	Spinach
Minnesota	Broccoli
Mississippi	Spinach
Missouri	Broccoli
Montana	Quinoa
Nebraska	Broccoli
Nevada	Avocado
New Hampshire	Spinach
New Jersey	Spinach
New Mexico	Chia
New York	Spinach
North Carolina	Broccoli
North Dakota	Broccoli
Ohio	Broccoli
Oklahoma	Broccoli
Oregon	Quinoa
Pennsylvania	Spinach
Rhode Island	Spinach
South Carolina	Broccoli
South Dakota	Broccoli
Tennessee	Broccoli
Texas	Avocado
Utah	Quinoa
Vermont	Quinoa
Virginia	Broccoli
Washington	Avocado
West Virginia	Broccoli
Wisconsin	Broccoli
Wyoming	Quinoa