Doctor Mike’s Approved Food List

Doctor Mike is known for sharing health tips and lifestyle advice to help improve people’s health and wellbeing. His Youtube videos have reached millions – but what does this real-life medical doctor recommend we eat for optimal health?

Mike Varshavski is a board-certified family medicine physician with an MD from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. He’s more well-known however, for being an engaging social media figure who provides helpful information related to nutrition, fitness, mental health, and wellbeing.

In this article we’ll look at some of his nutrition tips and the specific foods he recommends to keep your mind and body functioning optimally.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Doctor Mike recommends that people eat a balanced diet which consists of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. He believes that eating healthily isn’t about punishing yourself, it’s about finding healthy foods that you enjoy eating and incorporating them into your diet. Healthy foods help to fuel our body and provide us with energy.

He says: "A healthy diet isn’t about strict limitations, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. It’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving your health, and boosting your mood."

Fats have been demonized in recent times, however healthy fats provide energy, assist the absorption of vital nutrients, and maintain brain health. Doctor Mike explains: "Not all fats are bad. Healthy fats, like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil, are essential for your brain function and overall health."

Limit Processed Foods

One of the most important realizations on your health journey is how detrimental processed foods can be. Doctor Mike states that you should "try to limit processed foods as much as possible.”

He continues: “They often contain added sugars, unhealthy fats, and are low in nutrients, which can contribute to chronic diseases."

Try and avoid foods that contain an extensive ingredient list. But what should you replace processed foods with in your day-to-day diet? Whole foods is the answer. Doctor Mike recommends that you “Eat more whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.”

Whole foods are rich in nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to function optimally. As you start to remove processed foods from your diet and replace them with whole foods you will gain more energy and see improvements in your health.

Doctor Mike reiterates the importance of eating “real” food over processed foods: "If it didn’t come from the ground or have a mother, think twice before eating it. Real, unprocessed foods should make up the bulk of your diet."

Manage Portion Sizes

The medical doctor recommends that you should be mindful about the amount of food that you eat and to manage the size of your meals. He says: "It’s not just about what you eat, but how much you eat. Portion control is key to maintaining a healthy weight and preventing overeating."

Doctor Mike’s Approved Food List

The following foods have been mentioned by Doctor Mike in a variety of videos as foods that he eats and recommends. If you’re looking to incorporate more healthy foods into your diet – this list is a great starting point: