Michi’s Ladder is a guideline for healthy nutrition. The higher up on the list you eat, the better off you’ll be. We’ve also provided details as to whether these foods are good sources of protein (P), carbohydrates (C), or fat (F). You’ll notice that tiers 4 and 5 don’t contain this information—that’s because these foods aren’t healthy, so you shouldn’t look to them for nutrition. They’re “treats.” Finally, if a food has an asterisk (*) before it, that means we consider it a nutrient-rich superfood.
Note on frying: Foods should be eaten raw, steamed, grilled, poached, baked, or broiled. Frying automatically drops even the best foods into tier 5.
Download and Print the Entire Food Guide Below: