Many of us know that a Standard American Diet (SAD) is really not doing anything beneficial for our health. All of the heavily processed, chemical and pesticide laden, genetically modified foods are actually harming our bodies. Obesity, heart disease, diabetes… these are all things that can be eliminated, or at least lessened. by switching to a traditional foods diet.
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When we hear the diet, we think of excluding certain food groups to lose weight or control our body and its functions in some way. We aren’t using the word diet in that way here. We are referring to the broad scope of foods you are consuming. Yes, there may be some cutting out of foods, but only processed foods. Not specific food groups. A traditional foods diet focuses on eating the foods when they are properly prepared.
The Why
So why should we be eating a traditional foods diet? Our bodies were designed to eat foods in their most nourishing forms. When we adulterate them and add or remove things, we are making it harder for our bodies to use the nutrients in them. Adding in certain foods, that we don’t often eat anymore, like liver and other organ meats, can drastically change our health for the better. There is so much nutrition that our body CRAVES and NEEDS that we are depriving it of, when we forgo these types of foods.
The What
So, what is a traditional foods diet?
1. Soaking grains, nuts, seeds, legumes
In order for our bodies to properly digest and use the nutrients in nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes, we need to be properly preparing them. That means that some of them will need to be soaked or even fermented.
2. Consuming Raw and Cultured Dairy
There are so many beneficial organisms, enzymes, and nutrition in raw dairy that is obliterated when it is pasteurized. Culturing raw dairy just adds to those beneficial things even more. Little side note here: many people (like me!) who have a hard time consuming milk because they are lactose intolerant can actually consume raw dairy with no issues. Not always, but sometimes.
3. Pastured/ Free Range Meats and Eggs
Raising animals that are free to eat what God designed them to eat, is going to result in a MUCH healthier animal. The healthier the animal, the more nutrients we can get from the animal. Another little side note here: toxins are stored in fat, so when we eat conventionally raised animals it’s better to not consume the fat.
4. Fermented Foods
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, sourdough breads, kim-chi, are all super beneficial to our bodies. They are exploding with good bacteria and enzymes.
5. Bone broths
Consuming bone broth from healthy animals has many benefits. More protein, collagen, and so many minerals that we are so deficient in.
6. Healthy Fats
Things like coconut oil, raw butter, ghee, avocado (and avocado oil), olive oil, and healthy animal fats are so needed by our bodies. Not only do we need fats to satiate our appetites, fat helps our brains work so much better!
7. Fruits and Vegetables
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables (that aren’t GMO and pesticide laden) is so good for us. Eating them raw is usually best but cooking, fermenting, and using them in so many different is always better than none at all.
8. The sweeteners
Refined white sugar is so highly processed and not even close to something that is beneficial to our body. Replacing it with honey, maple syrup, or other traditional diets is so much better for us. Honey has many healing properties and is great to use medicinally as well.
The How
I know you’re thinking ” but HOW do I get started?!” “Where can I find raw dairy or pastured meat?!”
Don’t worry, I gotchu lol
Most areas have farmers markets you can shop at. Try searching “farmers market” and “your city” to see if you have any close by. Doing the same while searching raw milk share or farm pickup is also a good way to find raw milk and pastured meats. Another way is to go onto your local “crunchy” or natural local facebook groups and ask there. You can also search social media for local farms.
You can get started making your own ferments with organic veggies from the grocery store if you don’t have access to any local fruit and veggies yet. Azure Standard is also an option for many raw chesses, oils, and other organic traditional foods. They also have a lot of good supplements as well. Thrive Market is another great website/app to get pastured meats, wildcaught seafoods, as well as personal care items and supplements. (BTW that link will get you 30% off and a free gift!)
If you want to continue reading about why you should transition to a traditional foods diet, check out these resources.
And of course, you can always stick around here and subscribe to my newsletter so that you never miss out any traditional foods recipes or posts I add!
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