"Healthy" vs "healthful"— Do fruits and veggies work out? [closed]
Actually their use as synonyms appears to be still an issue:
Usage Note: The distinction in meaning between healthy ("possessing good health") and healthful ("conducive to good health") was ascribed to the two terms only as late as the 1880s. This distinction, though tenaciously supported by some critics, is belied by citational evidence—healthy has been used to mean "healthful" since the 16th century. Use of healthy in this sense is to be found in the works of many distinguished writers, with this example from John Locke being typical: "Gardening . . . and working in wood, are fit and healthy recreations for a man of study or business." Therefore, both healthy and healthful are correct in these contexts: a healthy climate, a healthful climate; a healthful diet, a healthy diet.
Source: The American Heritage Dict.
Merriam Webster gives three meanings for Healthy:
enjoying health and vigor of body, mind, or spirit : well
evincing health
conducive to health
I think the third meaning is the one that overlaps with "healthful."