Ancestral eating – what’s it all about? And why should you care? Here’s a hint: it’s all about real food! Because real, whole food provides the simple yet essential nourishment we need to thrive.
Food is one of our greatest weapons against chronic disease and ailments – and learning how to harness its power is paramount to achieving optimal health.
Following an ancestral diet is all about sourcing, preparing, and consuming foods the way previous generations did – without drastically altering or heavily processing them. It’s about reconnecting with our roots and making informed decisions about what we eat and where it comes from.
The choice is in our hands! Food was meant to nourish and heal us. It was meant to help keep our bodies strong and our brains sharp – providing the nutrients and energy needed to support us in our daily tasks throughout every stage of life.
By embracing the ancestral lifestyle, we honor our heritage and prioritize wholesome ingredients that promote vitality and well-being. Check out my recipes here. It also fosters a deeper connection to the Earth and its abundance – reminding us that true nourishment goes beyond mere sustenance.
WHAT ARE SOME REAL, WHOLE FOOD PROPERTIES?
Foods in their natural state: they are not refined, drastically altered, or synthetically made.
Nutrient-dense foods: they are rich in valuable nutrients relative to their calorie content.
Regeneratively sourced: from farms that follow environmentally conscious practices to support the earth while they grow and harvest high-quality products. No harmful chemical inputs or pesticides!
Traditionally prepared: harness the wisdom from our ancestors – who learned how to work with foods first and did not overcomplicate them.
WHAT ARE SOME ANCESTRAL WHOLE FOODS?
Fruits and vegetables in their natural state (organically grown, without harmful chemical inputs)
Pasture-raised and finished meats
Pasture-raised eggs
Raw dairy products
Wild-caught fish
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi & kefir
Ancient grains like einkorn – contain higher nutrient and lower gluten content to support digestion
Sprouted nuts and legumes – to support easier digestion
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANCESTRAL EATING AND WHOLE FOODS?
Weight management: ancestral meals are balanced, satiating, and nourishing – this helps regulate appetite, prevent overeating, and curb cravings.
Improved energy levels: because ancestral foods do not include refined sugars or flour, this helps to stabilize blood sugar levels – leading to more consistent energy throughout the day.
Better digestion: ancestral foods are optimized for digestibility and maximum nutrient absorption – which helps to regulate digestive patterns and alleviate issues like bloating and constipation.
Reduced inflammation: ancestral foods are unrefined and naturally anti-inflammatory. They include antioxidants that prevent and remove many sources of inflammation in the body.
Improved mental health: when you feel better physically, you feel better mentally too! Fueling your body with whole food nutrition helps you to feel stronger, think clearer, regulate hormones, and boost feelings of happiness and belonging.
Reduced stress: the ancestral lifestyle simplifies your grocery list as well as your menu – saving you money and time spent trying to figure out what to cook. And while that may sound “restricting”, it’s actually quite liberating!
WHY ANCESTRAL EATING ISN’T JUST ANOTHER “DIET”
Humans have eaten this way for thousands of years! Consuming and preparing foods traditionally was not a “diet” – it was a necessary way of life. Nourishing, healing, and satisfying. They ate the foods they grew and raised. And they learned the best ways to prepare these foods to get the most nutrition out of each ingredient.
Our ancestors also learned to incorporate specific nutrients to support themselves through various health ailments and seasons. It wasn’t until this past century that we started prioritizing convenience over quality…and our health has suffered because of it.
Contemporary processed foods fail to provide the nourishment and sustenance that traditional foods offer. While modern processing techniques emphasize convenience and shelf life – they often strip away essential nutrients and introduce harmful additives, preservatives, and refined sugars. In contrast, traditional unadulterated foods – prepared with care and respect for natural ingredients – retain their nutritional value and benefits.
In today’s world of ultra-processed foods, strong evidence now points to these as the culprits for many modern diseases and chronic conditions – cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, depression, infertility, obesity and more. Food is either thy medicine or thy poison – so it’s up to us to make our lifestyle decisions wisely. Get my recipes here.
HOW ANCESTRAL EATING TRANSFORMED MY LIFE
I have devoted over 10 years of my life to learning about food, nutrition, and what actually nourishes us. After trying (and failing) various “diets” over the years, I discovered the wisdom of the ancestral diet. I was finally able to make sustainable changes to my health and to truly feel and look like my best, radiant self.
Throughout my 30’s, I’ve felt strong, healthy, confident, and energetic. My brain function is on fire! I feel alive and happy – and I have to credit this to my ancestral diet.
PRIORITIZING WHOLE FOOD
While transitioning to an ancestral diet may seem like a drastic and complicated lifestyle change – this could not be more untrue. Eating ancestrally is simplifying – rather than complicating. It is eliminating foods that are not actually foods from your diet. It is shopping for less rather than more – ideally from just a handful of sources that you know, like, and trust wholeheartedly.
I would love to support you in transitioning to a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family! I invite you to follow along with me on Instagram and take my Nourishing Kitchen Master Class to enhance your knowledge on ancestral eating and all of the wonderful benefits of this wise and empowering lifestyle. Need recipe inspiration? Get started with my recipes here.
