This or That?

Our Verdict When comparing cantaloupe to cucumber, we picked the cucumber. Why? In terms of macros, both are of course 90–95% water, with just enough fiber to hold them together. However, it’s cantaloupe that’s 90% water and cucumber that’s 95% water, because cantaloupe has more than 2x the carbs and 144x the sugar (whence the…

Our Verdict When comparing lime to orange, we picked the orange. Why? It’s a fairly simple one today: In terms of macros, they’re about equal on everything, making this an easy first-round tie. In the category of vitamins, limes have more vitamin E, while oranges have more of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6,…

Our Verdict When comparing eggplant to tomato, we picked the eggplant. Why? Both have their merits! But… In terms of macros, eggplant has nearly 3x the fiber, as well as slightly more carbs and protein, making it the most nutritionally dense option in the macros category. In the category of vitamins, eggplant has more of…

Our Verdict When comparing mangos to raspberries, we picked the raspberries. Why? In terms of macros, mangos have slightly more carbs while raspberries have 4x the fiber, winning easily in this first round. In the category of vitamins, mangos have more of vitamins A, B6, B9, and C, while raspberries have more of vitamins B1,…

Our Verdict When comparing peas to pinto beans, we picked the beans. Why? In terms of macros, pinto beans have notably more fiber, carbs, and protein, winning easily in this first category. In the category of vitamins, peas have more of vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, and K, while pinto beans have more of vitamins…

Our Verdict When comparing bananas to grapes, we picked the bananas. Why? In terms of macros, bananas have more fiber and carbs, the ratio of which gives them the (very slightly) lower glycemic index. The difference in GI is marginal enough that it’d be tied on that point alone, but looking at total fiber figures,…

Our Verdict When comparing chard to red lettuce, we picked the chard. Why? Well, at time of writing, you might want to skip them both*, but in general, chard is the more nutritionally valuable of the two! *for posterity when it’s no longer July 2026: cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US, mostly from contaminated fruit &…

Our Verdict When comparing pomegranate to raspberries, we picked the raspberries. Why? Both have their merits, but one is just better on the whole: In terms of macros, pomegranate has more carbs while raspberries have more fiber, with big enough margins of difference that we say this first round’s a win to raspberries. In the…

Our Verdict When comparing artichoke to broccoli, we picked the artichoke. Why? Both have their strengths, and it was close! But… In terms of macros, artichoke has about 2x the fiber (which is lots, because broccoli is already good for this) and more protein, for only slightly more carbs, making it the nutrient dense choice…

Our Verdict When comparing apples to strawberries, we picked the strawberries. Why? In terms of macros, apples have nearly 2x the carbs and slightly more fiber, while strawberries have just as slightly more protein. Since the numbers are all very close except for the carbs whose “goodness” depends on whether you are preferring to increase…

Our Verdict When comparing broccoli to red cabbage, we picked the broccoli. Why? Both are certainly great! Which is usual for any Brassica oleracea cultivar (as both of these vegetables are). But there is a clear winner: In terms of macros, broccoli has more fiber and protein, while red cabbage has more carbs. Now, nobody…

Our Verdict When comparing grapes to guava, we picked the guava. Why? It wasn’t close: In terms of macros, grapes have more carbs, while guava has nearly 6x the fiber and more than 4x the protein, winning thoroughly in this category. In the category of vitamins, grapes have more of vitamins B1, B2, and K,…