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Ancestral Diet and Better Lifestyles
Embracing Our Ancestral Diet and Lifestyle for Optimal Health
Humans are remarkable creatures, unique in the animal kingdom not just because of our intelligence but also because of our intricate biological makeup. Classified as mammals within the primate order, we share many commonalities with other species, particularly in how we evolved to meet our nutritional needs. Over the millennia, just like certain animals adapted to thrive on specific plants, humans too have evolved to best utilise foods available to our ancestors.
The Pitfalls of Modern Diets
The modern Western diet, whether it includes meat, is vegetarian, or vegan, often emphasises “superfoods” believed to be particularly beneficial. However, this focus can be misleading, driven more by food industry marketing than by our actual dietary needs. The truth is, the best diet for any individual depends largely on their genetic heritage and the complex ecosystem of microorganisms that reside in our guts, particularly in the large intestine.
The Critical Role of Diverse Nutrients
Our bodies require a wide array of nutrients daily, including at least 80-90+ essential minerals. These are not only sourced from foods but are also influenced by how those foods are prepared and absorbed, a process heavily reliant on a well-functioning digestive system. Without proper digestion and absorption, nutrients cannot be adequately assimilated, leading to deficiencies and health issues. Thus, it’s essential to start with the basics, like ensuring adequate hydration.
Hydration
This article is an opportunity to share groundbreaking research on structured water. This type of water, akin to the clean, flowing water our ancestors drank, carries a permanent negative charge and is vital for cellular health. Our cells, much like batteries, need this negative charge to function optimally. Drinking positively charged water, such as that from urban supplies, forces our bodies to expend energy converting it, which can lead to decreased cellular energy and disease over time.
How to Incorporate Structured Water in Daily Life
It’s essential to consume structured water regularly to maintain energy and aid digestion. One should calculate their daily water needs based on body weight and drink a portion of it before meals to avoid diluting stomach acids and to optimise the digestive process. Timing and quantity of water intake can significantly influence how effectively our bodies process and absorb nutrients from our food.
The Case for an Ancestral Diet
There’s no one-size-fits-all diet, but a focus on nutrient-dense foods close to what our ancestors consumed is beneficial. This includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, and slow-cooked meats, which preserve nutrients like bone marrow and collagen often lost in modern cooking methods. Just as our bodies have not changed fundamentally over the past 10,000 years, neither have our basic nutritional needs.
How to Follow an Ancestral Diet: A Comprehensive Guide
What Is the Ancestral Diet?
The ancestral diet, often referred to as the “Paleo” or “Primal” diet, focuses on eating foods that are believed to have been consumed by early humans during the Paleolithic era. This diet is based on the premise that modern health issues have arisen because of a departure from the diet of our ancestors. By returning to a way of eating that aligns with how our bodies have evolved, proponents believe we can enhance our health and wellbeing.
Key Principles of the Ancestral Diet:
Focus on Whole, Unprocessed Foods: Emphasise foods that can be hunted or gathered, such as meats, fish, nuts, leafy greens, regional veggies, and seeds.
Avoid Processed Foods and Sugars: Limit foods that come from a box or a package, especially those with a long list of ingredients, many of which are often artificial additives and preservatives.
Include Animal Proteins: Incorporate healthy animal proteins, including meat, poultry, and fish. Preferably choose grass-fed, organic, and wild-caught options to avoid hormones and pesticides.
Eat a Variety of Vegetables: Fill your plate with a wide range of vegetables, especially leafy greens and root vegetables, but avoid starchy ones like potatoes and corn, which are considered too high in carbohydrates.
Include Healthy Fats: Consume healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Cooking with coconut oil and using animal fats for frying is also encouraged.
Limit Dairy: Most ancestral diets recommend reducing or eliminating dairy, especially processed and low-fat dairy products, with some allowances made for full-fat and fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir.
How to Start the Ancestral Diet:
Clear Out Non-Conforming Foods: Begin by removing processed foods, sugars, high-carb vegetables, and most dairy products from your pantry and refrigerator.
Shop Smart: Focus on buying whole foods. A good tip is to shop around the perimeter of the grocery store where fresh foods are typically located.
Plan Your Meals: Think about meals in terms of a protein source and a variety of vegetables. Planning ahead can help you avoid the temptation to fall back on processed foods.
Cook at Home: Prepare your own meals as much as possible. This ensures you know exactly what you’re eating and helps you stick to the diet.
Experiment with Herbs and Spices: Since processed condiments are discouraged, use herbs and spices liberally to add flavor to your dishes.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider adding lemon or lime for extra flavor.
Benefits of the Ancestral Diet:
Improved Weight Management: Reducing processed foods and carbohydrates can help with weight loss and prevent obesity.
Enhanced Energy Levels: Eating a balanced diet with adequate protein and healthy fats can lead to better energy levels throughout the day.
Better Digestive Health: The emphasis on high-fiber vegetables and the elimination of processed foods can improve gut health.
Reduced Inflammation: Many report reduced inflammation due to the elimination of sugar and processed foods, which are known to be inflammatory.
Challenges and Considerations:
The diet can be restrictive and may require significant changes to your current eating habits.
It’s important to ensure you’re getting a balanced intake of nutrients, particularly if you’re limiting dairy, which is a common source of calcium and vitamin D.
Following an ancestral diet can be a fulfilling path back to basics, reconnecting with the nutritional practices that our bodies evolved to thrive on. If you’re considering making this change, it might be helpful to consult with a healthcare provider or a nutritionist to ensure it’s the right fit for your health needs and lifestyle.
Modern Challenges and Solutions
Sadly, the beneficial microorganisms that aid digestion and are initially transmitted from mother to child at birth are now under threat from modern medical practices and lifestyle choices. This has led to an increase in allergies and other health issues. To counteract this, incorporating a daily liquid probiotic can be beneficial. Moreover, reducing intake of ultra-processed foods high in added sugars and low in nutrients is crucial for preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Conclusion: A Call to Return to Roots
To address modern health crises, a return to our ancestral ways of eating and living is necessary. This includes not only what we eat but also embracing stillness and nature to foster overall well-being. By aligning more closely with the dietary and lifestyle patterns of our forebears, we can reclaim the health that modern life often erodes.
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‘Service’ defined as ‘the action of helping or doing work for someone’ - the service that Elements 4 Life provides goes beyond this. The coaches are genuine, their approach to training is exciting and progressive, you will be supported and challenged to be the best version of yourself – mind and body. Then there’s the amazing people, our E4L community, this is what makes the gym so unique to all the other gyms I’ve been a member of. 
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