Doctors, dieticians and other professionals all have differing opinions regarding the proper diet that the average human being should be following. Even though there are differing opinions on what to eat, and even when to eat it, there are a few rules that all agree should be followed.

Most experts agree that a diet that consists of whole, unprocessed foods is the most beneficial for the body. Loads of fruits and vegetables, and for those who consume animal products, lean meats are the most nutritious and calorie-dense options to ensure a healthy digestive system and cell regeneration.

There are particular foods that, if eaten every day, offer fantastic health benefits.  

Avocado

Yes, we know that these days there is a whole pop-culture obsession around avocados. Avocados are basically currency on the Internet. However, the social media influencers might just be onto something.

Besides their buttery, delicious texture and flavour, avocados have loads of ‘good fats’ that keep your hair, nails, skin and tummy healthy. Avocados are a nutrient-dense fuel to kick-start your day, says the Daily Meal. They are chock full of fibre too. Fibre is essential for proper digestion. It pulls water to the colon and helps the body eliminate waste. Avocados also contain monounsaturated fat, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Avocados also help the body to absorb other fat-soluble nutrients, so they are great for pairing with other vitamin-rich foods or eaten with supplements such as fish oil.

Other foods that contain healthy fats are cheese, dark chocolate and whole eggs.

Whole eggs are in fact loaded with all the vitamins and minerals, almost every single nutrient our bodies need, Healthline reports. Dark chocolate is 11% fibre and contains over 50% of the RDA for iron, magnesium, copper and manganese. It is packed with antioxidants, which lower blood pressure and protect LDL cholesterol in the blood from becoming oxidised.

Cheese usually gets a bad rap from dieters, but it contains loads of calcium and is an excellent source of Vitamin B12. It promotes bone health and contains powerful fatty acids that have been linked to all sorts of benefits, including reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Green veggies

Green veggies get a bad rap, especially with children, but they pack loads of nutrients and literally benefit each part of your body and its functions.

Don’t be fooled, green veggies like broccoli, kale, bak choi, peas, Brussel sprouts and lettuce (and many more) can be prepared in loads of delicious ways.

These veggies can be grilled, steamed, sautéed or boiled. If you really hate the flavour of any of these, you can always smother it in cheese and garlic and still benefit from all the antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Make it into wraps and rolls, add it to pasta. The possibilities are endless. Jenny Mustard Health Blog says it will help us prevent cancer, reduce inflammation, boost our immune system, and even reduce cholesterol.

Greek Yogurt

Okay, so it does not have to be Greek yoghurt, but yoghurt, in general, is really great for gut health. Also, for women, it helps balance the natural bacterial ecosystem in the vagina. Yoghurt is made of beneficial bacteria that calm down inflamed digestive tracts as well as boosts your immune system. Your digestive tract is where 70% of your immune system resides.

What’s unique about Greek yoghurt, though?

Greek yoghurt has less natural sugar lactose and more protein than regular yoghurt, Cure Joy explains. This means that it packs a nutritional punch of calcium (one cup has almost 25% of your daily requirement) and that means more lost body fat and better health.

The acidity of Greek yoghurt makes it easier for your body to absorb other nutrients. The process of making Greek yoghurt allows excess water and lactose to be extracted. Greek yoghurt, therefore, contains less sugar.

Besides being a great source of calcium, Greek yoghurt has a high protein content, which is excellent for building muscle and strengthening the immune system.

Shane Griffin, a certified nutritional practitioner and founder of Whole Life Balance, says that Greek yoghurt is packed with great probiotic: “These normally live in your intestines, and having good microorganisms in your intestines helps keep you healthy. Without a healthy balance of good bacteria from probiotics, too much bad bacteria can build up and cause damage to our immune systems.”

Remember to stay hydrated.

Besides the food you should try to incorporate into your daily diet, you have to drink eight glasses of water! Dehydration is deadly.

Joan Koelemay, RD, a dietitian for the Beverage Institute, an industry group told WebMD, “Think of water as a nutrient your body needs that is present in liquids, plain water and foods. All of these are essential daily to replace the large amounts of water lost each day.”

Water assists all of your bodily functions like saliva production, digestion and circulation.

The Medical Society has experts at your disposal to assist you with any dietary changes you may need to make. Remember to not make any big changes to your diet without the guidance of a medical professional.