Eat Like a Human

1. Reconnect with ancestral food wisdom for optimal health

"Eating in this way will maximize your health and simultaneously simplify the process of knowing how, what, and when to eat."

Ancient wisdom, modern application. Our ancestors developed ingenious methods to make food safe, nutritious, and bioavailable. By reconnecting with these traditional practices, we can optimize our health in the modern world. This approach focuses on sourcing the highest-quality, most nutrient-dense foods possible and preparing them using time-tested techniques.

Key principles:

• Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods
• Learn and apply traditional food preparation methods
• Focus on nutrient density and bioavailability
• Develop a direct connection with your food sources

By adopting this mindset, we can overcome many of the health challenges posed by our modern food system while enjoying a diverse and satisfying diet.

2. Rethink plants: Detoxify and maximize nutrition

"Plants should scare the hell out of you."

Plants are not inherently safe. Contrary to popular belief, many plants contain toxins and antinutrients that can be harmful to human health. However, our ancestors developed methods to detoxify and maximize the nutritional value of plant foods.

Key strategies:

• Foraging: Reconnect with wild, nutrient-dense plants
• Fermentation: Break down toxins and increase nutrient availability
• Cooking and processing: Neutralize harmful compounds

By applying these techniques, we can safely incorporate a wide variety of plant foods into our diets while maximizing their nutritional benefits. This approach allows us to enjoy the health benefits of plants while avoiding potential pitfalls.

3. Embrace the whole animal: Offal and nose-to-tail eating

"We should be taking a cue from our ancestors and eating less meat and more animal."

Beyond muscle meat. Our modern fixation on lean muscle meat ignores the most nutrient-dense parts of animals. By embracing a nose-to-tail approach, we can access a wider range of nutrients and reduce waste.

Benefits of whole animal consumption:

• Increased nutrient density (vitamins, minerals, and unique compounds)
• Improved sustainability and reduced waste
• Connection to traditional culinary practices

Learning to prepare and enjoy organ meats, bones, and other often-discarded animal parts can dramatically improve the nutritional quality of our diets while honoring the entire animal.

4. Fermentation: The key to unlocking food's potential

"Fermentation works with environmental processes instead of against them."

Microbial alchemy. Fermentation is a powerful tool for transforming foods, increasing their safety, nutrient availability, and flavor. This ancient technique is applicable to a wide range of foods and can be easily practiced at home.

Key benefits of fermentation:

• Increased nutrient bioavailability
• Enhanced food safety and preservation
• Improved digestibility
• Introduction of beneficial probiotics

By incorporating fermented foods into our diets and learning to ferment at home, we can tap into this ancient wisdom and improve our overall health.

5. Grains and bread: Traditional processing for safety and nourishment

"Genuine sourdough bread is more nutritious than even homemade white, whole wheat, rye, or oat bread because fermentation makes the grains' vitamins and minerals more accessible to our bodies."

Rethinking grains. While modern processing has turned many grain products into nutritionally empty foods, traditional preparation methods can make grains both safe and nourishing.

Key techniques:

• Soaking and sprouting: Reduce antinutrients and increase nutrient availability
• Fermentation (sourdough): Predigest grains and enhance nutritional value
• Proper cooking methods: Further neutralize harmful compounds

By applying these ancestral techniques, we can safely incorporate grains into our diets and enjoy their nutritional benefits without the drawbacks associated with modern grain products.

6. Dairy revolution: Raw milk and fermented products

"We should approach milk and dairy products the same way we humans have approached every other food in our dietary past—not if we should eat them, but rather how."

Rethinking dairy. While modern dairy processing has stripped many of the benefits from milk, traditional preparation methods can transform dairy into a nutritional powerhouse.

Key concepts:

• Raw milk: Potential benefits and safety considerations
• Fermented dairy products: Kefir, yogurt, and cheese
• Traditional cheesemaking techniques

By sourcing high-quality dairy and applying traditional fermentation techniques, we can unlock the full nutritional potential of milk and dairy products while addressing common issues like lactose intolerance.

7. Insects: The sustainable protein source of the future

"Insects are a logical choice."

Overcoming the "yuck factor". Insects offer a sustainable, nutrient-dense protein source that has been part of human diets for millennia. By reincorporating insects into our diets, we can address both nutritional and environmental concerns.

Benefits of entomophagy:

• High-quality protein and nutrient content
• Sustainable production with low environmental impact
• Diverse culinary applications

As the world grapples with food security and sustainability issues, insects present a viable solution that aligns with both ancestral wisdom and modern nutritional needs.

8. Earth, ash, and charcoal: Unexpected allies in nutrition

"Consuming and cooking in earth is another way in which our ancient dietary practices helped us obtain nutrition from otherwise inaccessible foods."

Unconventional ingredients. Earth, ash, and charcoal have played important roles in traditional food preparation across cultures. These substances can detoxify foods, provide essential minerals, and offer unique culinary properties.

Applications:

• Geophagy: Intentional consumption of earth for nutritional benefits
• Ash and charcoal in cooking: Detoxification and flavor enhancement
• Clay in food preparation: Making certain foods safe to eat

By exploring these traditional practices, we can expand our culinary horizons and tap into unexpected sources of nutrition and food safety.

9. Sugar: Finding balance in a sweet-obsessed world

"How many times have you eaten a piece of cake at a birthday party, or a slice of pie during a holiday dinner, and felt like you were 'cheating'?"

Reframing our relationship with sugar. While excessive sugar consumption is undoubtedly harmful, completely demonizing it can lead to unhealthy relationships with food and social isolation.

Key considerations:

• Recognize the prevalence of added sugars in modern foods
• Understand the health impacts of excessive sugar consumption
• Find a balance that allows for occasional indulgence without guilt

By adopting a more nuanced approach to sugar, we can enjoy sweet treats in moderation while maintaining overall health and well-being. This balanced perspective allows us to participate in cultural traditions and celebrations without compromising our nutritional goals.

Last updated: September 27, 2024