“Eating clean” is a relatively new term, but not a new concept. There are many foods that are considered somewhat old-fashioned that are perfect to add to your clean diet. Here are 6 great examples that your grandparents probably ate a lot of, and ones you should add into your diet, too.

1. Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese contains plenty of protein, about 28g in one cup of low-fat cottage cheese. This is even more than Greek yoghurt. You can even find cultured cottage cheese and get your fair share of probiotics, while you are at it.

2. Bananas

Bananas are probably the most basic of all of the fruits you can eat. They are rich in pectin, which is a special type of fibre that helps protect against blood sugar spikes and helps slow digestion, which helps you stay satisfied longer. Bananas also contain prebiotics, which help to balance the bacteria contained within your gut. Not to mention that they are pretty cheap!

3. Navy beans

Toss these creamy white beans into any soup and get about half of the daily fibre that you need. You will feel full for longer, and be less likely to snack. Navy beans also contain plenty of iron and magnesium, which can help your muscles after a workout.

4. Cabbage

Although most have turned to some of cabbage’s more modern cousins, like kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, cabbage is in the cruciferous family of vegetables and one of the healthiest things you can eat. Cabbage lasts forever and does not tend to go bad if kept in the refrigerator. It’s cheap, too!

Cabbage also happens to contain plenty of phytonutrients that help reduce the risk of developing many kinds of cancers. Cabbage has only about 20 calories per cup, so eat as much as you want without any guilt!

5. Grapefruit

Grapefruit has actually been shown to help with weight loss. A recent study showed that those who ate half a grapefruit prior to each meal, without making any other adjustments, tended to lose at least 3 pounds more than a control group in 12 weeks, and also showed improvements in blood sugar levels.

6. Prunes

Prunes are an awesome source of fibre and can help keep your gastrointestinal tract moving well. In addition to the great fibre, prunes also contain high levels of anthocyanins, which are known to help fight inflammation and can provide cancer-fighting antioxidants. They can also help fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Prunes are very sweet and make for a great addition to oatmeal when pureed, or add them in yoghurt or smoothies. You can even use them as a substitute for butter in cakes and baked goods.

No need to steer clear of these old-fashioned clean foods, they make a great addition to your meals and snacks!