To celebrate our 20th year of publication, Cooking Light wanted to know what places best fit our philosophy to eat smart, be fit, and live well. Using statistics from such organizations as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Zagat Survey, we ranked major metropolitan areas on 15 criteria. The result, we think, is a ranking of U.S. cities that best provide the resources people need to live healthful lives.



Seattle appears to be a place where healthful living comes easily and naturally, Cooking Light says.



"Each city reflects the full spectrum of living well in its own unique way -- innovative restaurants and markets with nutritious local foods, abundant spaces for walking and other exercise, and a population that takes advantage of both," says senior editor Phillip Rhodes, who headed up the project. "It's great to know that so many people all over the country have the tools they need to eat smart, be fit, and live well," Rhodes says.



Click on each city link below to learn why the city made our list and find details about the healthiest restaurants, freshest markets, and liveliest activities in the area.



1. Seattle, Washington



An abundance of fresh local foods, walker-friendly streets, and inclusive attitudes helps make Seattle America's best city for healthy living.



2. Portland, Oregon



Life is good in our second-ranked city, thanks to its seemingly endless supply of outdoor activities, cutting-edge restaurants, and vibrant environmental consciousness.  Watch more on Cooking Light's Top 20 »



3. Washington, D.C.



Our capital city sets an accommodating agenda with farm-fresh dining, diverse cultures, and ample opportunity for exploration on foot.



4. Minneapolis, Minnesota



In our fourth-ranked best city, lush parks and shimmering lakes provide a natural backdrop to a rich cultural landscape.



5. San Francisco, California



Our fifth-ranked city steps up with one of the world's most unforgettable settings--along with great cuisine and an energetic spirit.



6. Boston, Massachusetts



Strolling historic parks and swanning around the water are but two of the pastimes that make summer prime time to enjoy our sixth-ranked city.



7. Denver, Colorado



The Mile-High City ranked seventh on our list for an outdoorsy Western lifestyle that makes living well accessible and irresistible.



8. Milwaukee, Wisconsin



Our eighth-ranked city proves a worthy destination for food lovers, adventure seekers, and culture aficionados alike.



9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania



In America's fifth-largest city, the historic past provides a backdrop for a present that's healthful and happening.



10. Tucson, Arizona



Tucson offers a taste of the authentic Southwest in a desert setting that's ideal for a warm winter getaway.



11. Baltimore, Maryland



Baltimore, it turns out, has lots of people who eat five or more servings of fruits and veggies a day--27 percent.



12. Colorado Springs, Colorado



Graced with bountiful trail systems, no wonder 91 percent of the city's population claims to be in good health.



13. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania



Skies, once dark with factory smoke, open above crystal-towered downtown Pittsburgh, bound on three sides by the rivers Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio.



14. St. Louis, Missouri



A love for local produce and healthful activities keeps this urban center well fed and on the move.



15. New York, New York



New Yorkers walk far more than most Americans, and they do it quickly. But they slow down for green markets--25 in Manhattan alone.



16. Atlanta, Georgia



Approximately 55,000 people gather on the Fourth of July at the Peachtree Road Race, the largest 10k in the world.



17. Austin, Texas



You can't swing a yoga mat in Austin without hitting a cool place to exercise--whether it's inside a gym or outdoors in a natural, spring-fed pool.



18. Chicago, Illinois



The city's environmentally friendly mentality is one
Criteria were grouped into how many categories? Which magazine celebrates a 20th anniversary? Which city tops the list? what anniversary is the magazine celebrating? which city tops in the list of fresh local foods and pedestrian friendly streets?
15 Cooking Light Seattle 20th year of publication, Seattle, Washington
question: Criteria were grouped into how many categories?, answer: 15 | question: Which magazine celebrates a 20th anniversary?, answer: Cooking Light | question: Which city tops the list?, answer: Seattle | question: what anniversary is the magazine celebrating?, answer: 20th year of publication, | question: which city tops in the list of fresh local foods and pedestrian friendly streets?, answer: Seattle, Washington