The “Ancestral Health” Diet – Books include: The Primal Blueprint, Paleo Solution, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration
-How did you choose this diet?
I’ve been raised eating whole foods and following nutritional guidance from the Weston A. Price Foundation. My mother is an RD and I’m currently a student in an RD-MPH program. I am very interested in learning everything I can about proper nutrition and how it relates to health and wellness.
The “Ancestral” diet is a mix of Paleo and Weston A. Price diet principles. It follows the general guidelines of the Paleo plan while paying close attention to adequate nutrient intake through minimally processed, naturally produced foods. I chose the diet to help me lose a few pounds, clear up my skin, help with sleep and stress issues, and improve my energy levels.
-What foods and drinks–if any–are you required to give up for the diet?
No grains (wheat, rice, oats, etc.), no refined sugars, no legumes (beans, peanuts) no preservatives, no pasteurized dairy products (only raw allowed), no soy, no polyunsaturated vegetable oils (soy oil, corn oil, canola oil, etc.), minimal alcohol and coffee
-How would you sum up the other “rules” of the diet in three or four sentences?
Eat real, unprocessed, and natural food. Listen to your body. Eat pastured animals, marine life, vegetables, nuts, vegetables in abundance, some fruit, and healthy fats from animals, avocado, coconut, and olives. Incorporate as many traditional, nutrient dense foods as possible: fermented vegetables, organ meats, homemade bone broths. (
http://cavegirleats.com/2011/10/20/good-nutrition-in-100-words-or-less/)
-How did you feel while on the diet (emotionally and physically)?
I feel absolutely amazing. I lost weight effortlessly, my skin has almost totally cleared up, my energy is phenomenal, and my stress response has decreased. I sleep better, my appetite is more regulated, and I don’t ever have blood sugar crashes. I feel vibrant and totally ready to take on anything life throws at me. Best of all, I’m HAPPY. I don’t feel deprived whatsoever, and I’m truly enjoying my life to the fullest.
-How long were you on the diet and did you lose any weight (if so, how much)?
I am still on this “diet”, and plan to follow this lifestyle indefinitely. I’ve lost about 12 pounds in 3 months without any real change in exercise habits. I really don’t consider this a diet. It’s a new lifestyle for me. I don’t see how I could ever go back to eating the way I used to. I won’t deny myself a non-Paleo treat every now and then, but I’ll never go back to eating those other foods with any regularity.
-What were the best things about the diet?
The food is absolutely DELICIOUS, and I’m never hungry or cranky about what I’m eating. I’ve found a new sense of connection with my body, and instead of fighting against my urges, I’ve learned to listen to what my body wants and give it what it needs. It feels really liberating to feel like I finally am providing my body the nutrition it needs without assaulting it with the kinds of foods that are irritating or sickening.
I also love the fact that most of the food I eat comes from sustainable, humane sources. I do 90% of my shopping at the Farmer’s Market, and I can easily help support my local food economy while still eating delicious and nourishing foods.
-What about the worst things about the diet?
Eating away from home. It is extremely difficult to find food outside of the house that adheres to the Ancestral Health guidelines. It takes a lot of planning to ensure that I always have some sort of ‘Paleo’ food available to me so I don’t cave in and buy something unhealthy while I’m out. On the other hand, however, since I have less blood sugar fluctuations, I can go much longer without eating, and I don’t feel tempted by the junk food that surrounds me in my everyday life.
-Would you recommend this diet to a food loving friend? Why or why not?
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