Ancient Eating Habits
They may have relied on the spear instead of the supermarket but our Stone Age ancestors could probably teach us a thing or two about eating for good health. Our primitive predecessors consumed a diet high in protein, carbohydrates and monounsaturated fats, eating lean meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish. Although we live longer, they were healthier, taller, faster and physically stronger.
Ancient eating habits are currently the subject of a modern revival as advocates of hunter-gatherer-based eating, called the Paleolithic, Stone Age or Caveman Diet, cite its many health benefits, including weight reduction. “This is not a weight loss diet per se, but rather a lifetime plan of eating that will optimize health and reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and many other chronic diseases that are epidemic in the U.S. and virtually all other westernized nations,” says Dr. Loren Cordain, professor of health and exercise at Colorado State University. An international authority on Paleolithic nutrition and the author of The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Food You Were Designed to Eat (available on Amazon.com), Dr. Cordain became interested in making an ancient nutritional blueprint the foundation for contemporary dietary practices in 1987. Critics deplore the high ratio of fat and meat, but supporters counter that it’s the leanness of the meat and the type of fat that makes for an important and critical distinction. According to Dr. Cordain, we should eat a diet that relies heavily on lean meats, lean beef, lamb, pork, wild game fish, and seafood, generously supplemented with fruits, vegetables and nuts. Venison, antelope, elk and grass-fed bison or beef have a healthier mix of essential fats, which may help protect against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These omega-3 fats are also found in salmon, tuna, swordfish and halibut. “The Paleo diet is the unique diet to which our species is genetically adapted. It’s high in beneficial nutritients, soluble fiber, antioxidant vitamins, phytochemicals, omega-3 and monounsaturated fats, and low-glycemic carbohydrates,” says Dr. Cordain. He also recommends significantly reducing or eliminating grains, cereals and dairy products, staples of the North American diet, but virtually unknown to ancient man. “The bottom line is that you will feel better when you eat in this manner. Indeed, all age groups in the U.S. would be healthier, leaner and fitter if they would include more fresh fruits, veggies, lean meats and seafood in their diets at the expense of fast food, refined sugars, refined grains and fatty meats and cheeses.” Becoming Neanderthin: “Most people can achieve significant improvements in health and well being with about 85 per cent compliance to the diet,” says Dr. Cordain. “The more serious the health and weight problems, the greater is the need for increased compliance. Eat fruits, vegetables — especially root vegetables – oily fish, eggs, chicken, lean meats and wild game, organ meats, eggs and nuts – particularly walnuts, and almonds.
Eliminate or significantly reduce consumption of grains, beans, potatoes, dairy, sugar and salt.
Add healthy oils to your diet, such as canola, olive and flax oils.
For more information go to Dr. Cordain’s website: www.thepaleodiet.com.
“This program of eating was not designed by diet doctors, faddists or nutritionists,” says Dr. Cordain. “But rather by Mother Nature’s wisdom acting through evolution and natural selection.”
