Vermont Outpaces Rhode Island, New Hampshire and More 47 US States in Tug of War as America’s Healthiest Eating States Are Revealed

Vermont outpaces Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, Washington and Utah as America’s Healthiest Eating States Are Revealed in a new ranking examining dietary habits and adult health indicators. The study compares obesity, diabetes, drinking behaviour and fast-food availability, highlighting differences across American states and offering fresh perspectives on regional food and wellness tourism.

A new study of American eating habits has identified Vermont as the leading state for healthier lifestyles, followed by New York, Washington, Utah and Colorado. The findings highlight differences in diet, drinking habits and chronic health conditions across the United States, offering fresh insights into regional food cultures and their relevance to travel and tourism.

Vermont Tops America’s Healthy Eating Rankings

Healthy eating habits vary considerably across the United States, reflecting differences in food availability, lifestyle choices and wider public health conditions.

A ranking compiled by Maine Lobster Now compared US states using 10 indicators covering dietary behaviour, drinking habits and adult health outcomes.

Vermont secured first place, followed by New York, Washington, Utah and Colorado. The results provide a broader picture of health-related differences between states rather than focusing exclusively on what residents eat.

The research also highlights contrasting patterns in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular health, illustrating how individual states perform differently across several measures.

For the travel and tourism industry, the findings provide additional context for understanding regional food cultures and the growing importance of nutrition-conscious travel experiences.

Vermont Takes First Place with the Lowest Diabetes Prevalence

Vermont leads the ranking, recording an adult diabetes prevalence of just 7%, the lowest among the states included in the analysis.

The state’s adult obesity prevalence stands at 29%, contributing to its overall position.

Vermont is widely associated with agricultural landscapes, independent food producers, farmers’ markets and locally sourced products.

These characteristics form part of its established tourism identity, particularly among visitors interested in countryside experiences, farm visits and regional cuisine.

However, the ranking does not establish that Vermont’s tourism offerings or local food traditions directly explain its health indicators.

Rank	State	Consumed Fruit One Or More Times Per Day (%)	Consumed Vegetable One Or More Times Per Day (%)	Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption (%)
1	Vermont	15.3	16	67.3
2	New York	15.3	14.2	65.6
3	Washington	12.6	11.9	55
4	Utah	11.5	8.3	53.6
5	Colorado	12.4	10.4	59.4
6	Oregon	12.9	12.2	51.5
7	Connecticut	16.1	14.1	72.2
8	California	13.6	11.3	62.7
9	Rhode Island	14.8	13.4	65.7
10	Minnesota	12.7	8.8	50.4
11	Massachusetts	13.4	10.5	66.8
12	New Hampshire	12.9	12.3	69.7
13	Idaho	10.3	9.7	58.8
14	Texas	13.8	11.9	62.5
15	Arizona	14.8	12.8	64.5
16	Maryland	13.5	9.9	65.4
17	Florida	12.4	10.5	67.2
18	Illinois	12.9	8.9	62.7
19	Maine	11.9	10.9	65.5
20	Virginia	12.2	9.6	59.6
21	Wisconsin	11.6	7.6	50.4
22	New Jersey	7.4	11.4	69.5
23	Kansas	10.9	9.8	54.9
24	Montana	10	9.6	64.9
25	Pennsylvania	10.6	8.4	65.9
26	North Carolina	11	9.5	62.7
27	Indiana	13	10.5	65.7
28	New Mexico	11.5	9.2	68.5
29	Iowa	10.6	7.3	50.5
30	Nebraska	10.7	8	58
31	Michigan	11.1	7.2	59
32	Georgia	11.2	8.9	68.1
33	Delaware	13.4	9.1	68
34	Nevada	8.6	7.4	63.8
35	South Carolina	11.9	10.2	70.2
36	North Dakota	9.8	7.3	59.2
37	Wyoming	9.4	8.4	73.2
38	Ohio	9.5	7.4	57.2
39	Missouri	8.7	7.4	59.1
40	South Dakota	10.3	7.4	72.5
41	Tennessee	11	9.2	66.4
42	Oklahoma	8.7	6.9	66
43	Alabama	10.3	6.7	65
44	Mississippi	10.5	7.7	64.5
45	Arkansas	11.6	10.8	74.2
46	Kentucky	8.8	5.6	67.2
47	Louisiana	11.2	7.3	68.7
48	West Virginia	8.4	6.9	59.4

New York Secures Second Position with Lower Fast-Food Availability

New York ranks second, recording 21.4 fast-food restaurants per 100,000 residents, the lowest availability rate identified in the study.

Adult obesity prevalence stands at 29.5%.

The findings are particularly interesting because New York contains one of the world’s most recognisable urban food destinations, offering everything from street food to international fine dining.

Its diverse culinary landscape includes neighbourhood markets, independent restaurants and food establishments serving communities from numerous cultural backgrounds.

Nevertheless, restaurant availability is only one indicator of the wider food environment and does not necessarily reveal how frequently residents consume fast food.

Washington, Utah and Colorado Complete the Top Five

Washington occupies third place, with diabetes prevalence of 8.8% and high blood pressure affecting 30.6% of adults.

The state has an established reputation for seafood, agricultural products and regional food experiences, particularly around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

Utah ranks fourth, recording the lowest binge-drinking prevalence in the study at 12.7%.

Its adult high blood pressure prevalence stands at 27.3%, making cardiovascular health one of the notable indicators in its results.

Colorado completes the top five with an adult obesity prevalence of 25%, the lowest among the states analysed.

The state also records diabetes prevalence of 7.6%.

Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy, mountain tourism and active lifestyle image provide an interesting backdrop to its position, although the study does not demonstrate a causal connection between recreation and health outcomes.

West Virginia and Louisiana Rank Near the Bottom

At the opposite end of the ranking, West Virginia occupies 48th place, recording adult obesity prevalence of 41.4% and diabetes prevalence of 14.4%.

Louisiana follows in 47th position, with Kentucky ranking 46th, Arkansas 45th and Mississippi 44th.

These results illustrate substantial differences in health indicators across the country.

However, obesity and diabetes prevalence cannot be explained by eating habits alone. Access to healthcare, household income, physical activity and other social factors may also influence outcomes.

The ranking should therefore be understood as a comparative snapshot rather than a definitive assessment of residents’ dietary choices.

What the Findings Mean for Food Tourism in America

Food tourism remains an important part of the American travel experience, with destinations promoting regional cuisine, agricultural heritage, culinary trails and locally produced ingredients.

The new ranking provides an additional perspective for travellers interested in food culture and wellness-oriented experiences.

Destinations such as Vermont, New York, Washington, Utah and Colorado offer different culinary identities, demonstrating that healthier lifestyle indicators can coexist with varied food traditions.

However, the ranking does not measure restaurant nutrition, visitor dining experiences or the healthiness of tourism-related food services.

It is therefore more useful as background information for understanding regional differences than as a direct guide to choosing healthy restaurants or destinations.

Researchers Highlight Differences Beyond Overall Rankings

Julian Klenda, spokesperson for Maine Lobster Now, explained that healthy eating involves several everyday decisions rather than one universal approach.

He emphasised that combining multiple measures offers a broader comparison while revealing differences even among the highest-ranking states.

The study’s central message is that no single indicator provides a complete understanding of population health.

For travellers, tourism businesses and policymakers, the findings reinforce the value of examining food habits, drinking behaviour and wider health conditions separately before drawing conclusions about regional lifestyles.