In Search of Ancient Diets

On a recent work trip, I made a stop at good old McDonald's. Admittedly, McDonalds is not a frequent choice for me – I find myself there perhaps twice a year. On this visit, I opted for their breakfast sandwich and hash brown. It was delicious and I’ll be back next year. There are other fast food places out there that might flaunt superior quality, but there's just something about McDonald's that makes me think it will last another few hundred years.

I can’t picture my great grandchildren eating Dominos pizza or Subway sandwiches, but I can picture them eating at McDonalds.

I find myself at a crossroads with fast food. Daily consumption? Not on my radar. At this stage in my life, there's a conscious balance I'm striving for: maintaining a consistent, health-conscious diet while allowing the occasional indulgence. But this personal dietary strategy leads me to a broader inquiry.

Does anyone really know how to eat? It seems like we are at a moment in history where we are testing out diets for future generations so they can see what works and what doesn’t. I do not feel comfortable about this situation.

How do you Decide What Food to Eat Everyday?

For the average person, a regimented dietary plan might not be on the daily agenda. Instead, it's all about intuitive eating and indulging those cravings. Noticed the scale tipping a bit? Some people might pivot towards cutting back on carbs, upping the fats, or even taking a whirl with the keto diet - at least until the novelty wears off. Or you go in for a routine blood check, and the numbers whisper "high cholesterol." The next logical step? Perhaps cutting back on those steak nights and letting fish take center stage on your plate.

And for those who view dieting with a certain disdain? The rising trend seems to be turning to solutions like Ozempic. It's a reflection of our evolving relationship with food and health. Which is becoming popular lately.

For many Americans, dietary decisions are less about strict patterns and more about savoring the flavors. The overarching philosophy? Dive into the culinary delights and keep fingers crossed that health hiccups don't pop up down the road. It's a dance between indulgence and wellness in a nation of diverse palates.

And if you do decide to follow a health influencer that sounds like they know what they are talking about, they are probably being paid by a company to shill you products like in this story that just broke this week.

An even more worrying trend is cancer rates are rising in the United States for people under 50 years old. There has been an explosion of new cases from 2010 to 2019. The specific cancers affect a variety of organ systems, including the colon and/or rectum and pancreas. Perhaps there is a link to diet here?

Maybe we should be looking for dietary patterns in history followed by generations of people? Why not let time do all the work for us?

In This Newsletter

1) Diet is Constantly Changing in America: The challenges of the American diet

2) In Search of Ancient Eating Patterns: If we had evidence of a diet that was followed for over 1,000 years and led to healthy outcomes generation after generation would people follow it?

Diet is Constantly Changing in America

It’s difficult to find structure with eating because the American diet keeps changing and reinventing itself. For example, look at the changes from 1970 to today. 

• The average American consumed 2,481 calories a day in 2010, about 23% more than in 1970

• Americans eat more chicken and less beef than they used to.

• They drink less milk – especially whole milk – and eat less ice cream, but they consume way more cheese.

• Their diets include less sugar than in prior decades but a lot more corn-derived sweeteners.

There’s other changes as well:

But I’m not looking for change, I’m looking for what has worked in the past. By constantly tweaking and altering our diets in search of the latest health trend or superfood, we are essentially treating our bodies as experimental labs. The consequences of introducing novel or highly restrictive diets can be unpredictable. The history of nutrition is littered with fads that were initially hailed as revolutionary, only to be later dismissed or even identified as harmful. Constantly chopping and changing our diets can expose us to nutrient deficiencies, unbalanced macronutrient ratios, and other health risks.

Modern Diets and Cultural Identity

Modern diets have increasingly intertwined with cultural and political identity, creating communities centered around shared beliefs, values, and lifestyle choices.

This shared set of beliefs naturally fosters a sense of community and belonging. As veganism grows in popularity, it has become more than just what one eats; it's an affirmation of one's values, often leading to connections and friendships with those who share similar views.

On the other hand, diets like the carnivore or meat-only approach often intertwine with notions of masculinity and primal instincts.

This diet, often adopted and promoted by those valuing physical strength, endurance, and traditional gender norms, might be seen as a counter-movement to plant-based trends. As a result, it creates its own subculture, one that emphasizes toughness, resilience, and a return to what is perceived as 'natural' human behavior.

But I’m not looking for any of this social-political stuff. I’m looking for a diet that has a track record of working.

In Search of Ancient Diets

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