A Primitive Primer - Optimal Health 101

As I am gearing up towards the completion of my "labor of love" project...known as Primitive Diva, I am finding myself in a quite a few conversations with people who are unfamiliar and just trying to understand the basic foundation of following a primitive eating plan. So here are just a few basics that will help any newbie understand the primitive diva philosophy.

So why eat more Primitive foods, you ask? Those who eat a native primitive/ancestral diet live free of modern diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity. Primitive nutrition is based on eating nutrient-dense, natural foods that we’ve evolved eating for over 99% of our existence, such as grass-fed meats, free-range poultry, wild fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and unprocessed fats. These foods don’t come in a box, a bag or a can. They don’t contains dyes, chemicals or words you can’t pronounce. They’re whole foods, not processed products. If you showed our ancestors a candy bar, they wouldn’t recognize it as food nor our bodies. The point is, neither should you! Its about rethinking our trips to the grocery store and realize its the same as hunting and gathering for ours and our families nourishment and health not entertainment.

Here are Three pillars to begin to build a healthy foundation of your new Primitive Lifestyle.

THE most important way of incorporating this lifestyle is to avoid processed foods at all times, as most contain sugar, refined carbs and/or manmade fats. As you develop an awareness of your food choices, and understand the effects of what you consume, you won’t want to eat any junk food!

1. Avoid Sugar
- Better Breakfasts, Beverages, Snacks & Sweets
- Eat More Balanced Meals
- Plan to Cheat
Start by cutting out sugar in the 4 most problematic areas of the diet: breakfast, beverages (sweeten with Stevia), snacks and sweets. Always strive for balanced meals by including protein, fat and carbs every time you eat. Including more fat and protein will also help to reduce sugar cravings. Lastly, plan a meal each week to indulge, IF you must.But the goal is to eat a nature intended whole foods diet. Make some grain free stevia/honey or date sweetened primitive cookies for a weekly treat!

2. Replace Refined Carbs
- Eat More Vegetables
- Select Healthier Alternatives
- Eat More Fat & Protein
Refined carbs, like pasta, bread, cereal, granola bars, etc. are a major problem because they supply minimal nutrients, have a high glycemic load, and leave you craving more carbs. Start by replacing refined carbs with vegetables. Even a sweet potato is a more nutritious, digestible source of carbs than a slice of bread or whole grain pasta. If you aren’t ready to load up on veggies, at least select healthier alternatives (soaking, fermenting and sprouting) to improve the quality of your carbs. Also be sure to eat more fat and protein. Despite what you might think, fat doesn’t make you fat, sugar makes you fat. It’s not as simple as calories in vs. calories out.Calories don’t determine weight loss (or gain), hormones do.

3. Eliminate Manmade Fats
- Cook with Coconut Oil
- Dress Salads with Olive Oil
Are these manmade fats in your diet... canola, margarine, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, etc.? Where is the fat in a kernel of corn (canola)? These “franken fats” wreak havoc on our bodies with their unfavorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratios promoting inflammation and their high unsaturated fat content, which oxidizes when exposed to heat, air, or light, thus becoming carcinogenic. Start by eliminating these nasty unnatural fats, but don’t skimp on the fat. Low-fat equals high carb, equals high insulin levels, equals weight gain and other health problems. Instead, select naturally occurring fats, like avocado, olives, nuts, seeds, butter, etc. Start by replacing canola oil with coconut oil. Use raw extra virgin olive oil to dress salads and veggies.

Making these small yet very life changing subsitutions, will have you WILD with energy, vitality, strength and overall great health.Are you ready to embrace your inner Primitive Diva?

Paleo People Granola.....!

I received a delivery a few days ago of Paleo People Granola....the first flavor that I just had to sample was the Cacao Nut(because I am afterall, in a 12 step program for chocolate addiction OR I should be!)- I instantly said WOW, this is awesome. This is going to be my Favorite. Then came Banana Nut, the flavors are amazing and the sweetness is just right. I gave my friend Paula a bag of Cappucino Crunch, which she brought to our Saturday, Girls Gone Wild Barefoot Workout. We took a break at about mile 5 and sat at the lake...it was a fabulous treat with a little energy kick(it has coffee beans and all)it fueled another 5 miles of trail running, MovNat and climbing trees. This morning I shared a few bites of Apple Crisp with my kiddo's and REALLY, can the flavors continue to delight my tastebuds? Most importantly, its the first granola that is truly GRAIN free, not just Gluten Free. Even the flavorless, oversweetened Gluten Free granolas in the store, gave me horrible stomach pains and ummm,very UN-Diva like digestive issues. So, I am giving a BIG Primitive Diva high five to www.paleopeople.com for finally give us a REAL food snack designed with our ancestors in mind. Who gathered nuts, seeds, berries, fruits, spices and only natural whole food sweeteners. Absolutely NO grain fillers! Just pure goodness of a Primitive Snack made modern!

Can serve in a bowl with coconut milk, just like cereal!

Expand your mind....!

Today, I wanted to take a moment to pull a few books off of my library shelf to share with you. I am an avid reader (non-fiction) and knowledge junkie. I have never sought help with this addiction because it has expanded my mind and offered a very prominent auto-didactic degree in life and wisdom. I have broken them down by category with a direct link to Amazon and its available reviews and best price options. I hope you enjoy these selections and please offer feedback and your own readers suggestions.If you decide a book is right for you, PLEASE consider purchasing through these links.There is no additional expense to you as it is ALL Amazon set pricing however, it will go through my bookstore and help support my financial goal of completing my current book of a Primitive approach to health, wellness, lifestyle, beauty and parenting.

First, a very profound book that was huge in my recovering from numerous health issues relative to a strict RAW vegan lifestyle along with rethinking the moral mentality of why I was a vegan:



Next, a pioneer for my philosophy,pursuit and understanding of Ancestral Nutrition and optimal health.






Heroes of mine in the Primal/Paleo/Primitive Nutrition world:











Barefoot Lifestyle and Running:








Other Influential Health and Wellness books that have provided great knowledge:







And lastly, I cannot forget a staple for any kitchen....from the amazing Sally Fallon

Breakfast..? Think outside the BOX- the cereal box, that is!

Okay, before you look at the guidelines of the challenge and think...How on earth can I eat eggs EVERY morning for breakfast...? Well, you don't have to- unless you want to! Think outside the box- the cereal box, that is. A quick and easy way to have a healthy subsitution for your "fruit loops" or "cheerios" is a quick bowl of NO grain primal cereal, loaded with protein, healthy fats and antioxidants!

1 oz of chopped Walnuts (RAW)
1/2 Cup Wild Blueberries (Frozen or Fresh)
1/4 Cup Shredded Coconut (Unsweetened)
1/2 Cup Coconut Milk, if desired.
* Optional Chia seeds or Flax meal for added energy!

Enjoy!

Ready for your 30 days to becoming a Primitive Diva Challenge….?

Ready to get a little WILD with a lifestyle program that focuses on the nourishment of your body with REAL food, building strength naturally (in NATURE not in a GYM), Avoiding the ugly side of Beauty (Toxic Chemicals) and getting plenty of Vitamin S (Sleep, Sun, Soil and Stressbusters). Kick off those high heels girls, grab some grass fed beef jerky and read on…..

What is a Primitive lifestyle/diet…?

Primitive, Primal, Paleolithic or Paleo are terms that describe an effort to get back to foods of our ancestral history. This is THE Original diet of our Hunter and Gatherer ancestors and is actually the “anti-fad” of most nutrition programs ever explored. The basic premise is that we spent about 2,000,000 years hunting meat, foraging for leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, nuts/seeds and very little else. In contrast, the foods of agriculture – grains and dairy – only showed up about 10,000 years ago. Ask yourself this…”where did we go wrong?”. It is imperative that we get back to basics before the diseases of modern living took hold of our population. So embracing your inner cavewoman is a way to obtain great health, weight loss ,energy and strength gain and even hormonal harmony.
If you do the math, we have been exposed to grain foods for all of 0.5% of our existence. Essentially, we’ve had NO time to adapt and evolve with these new foods. Further, within the last 100 years pesticides and chemicals have entered our food supply in high proportions and food has become highly processed. An average diet in America contains virtually NOTHING our bodies actually recognize as food. This is one reason we are experiencing a staggering increase of illness, cancer, heart disease, chronic inflammation and auto-immune diseases. These are not seen in any population of Hunter/Gatherer societies until they are exposed to a modern diet of processed foods, sugars and grains.

So, the basic premise is that feeding your body a whole food-based, organic diet, like it is designed for and intended to eat, is going to result in the highest health and performance possible. Our bodies are not going to run best on grains, sugars, man-made engineered frankenfoods and poorly raised toxic meats.

Because of the many health benefits of living more natural and Primitive, this is more of a movement and a lifestyle than it is a “diet.” It involves sleeping, eating and fitness patterns that attempt to recreate the patterns we evolved on. It is also important for you to look at your skin care regime (toxic chemicals)~your skin is the largest organ of your body~ IF you want optimal health, it starts with what you put on it daily. We will also discuss the importance of clean water along with warnings to avoid our biggest modern day household hazard--plastic/BPA and avoiding too much techno-stress. All of the suggestions fit very nicely with brief, intense and infrequent anaerobic exercise because that is the pattern of activity we would have had during evolution. Things like sprinting away from a predator, chasing prey, carrying heavy things and fighting. I will share many ideas and concepts with you in my weekly “work-out without walls” segments. In the meantime….Move, Sprint, Stretch, Crawl and Jump your way to improved fitness.

Primitive Nutrition (Primitive/Paleo/Primal)

Meat – Free-range, Pastured, Organic and fed its appropriate/intended diet (cows eat grass, not grain for example)

Fish - Wild caught

Vegetables – As much as you can eat, organic and a high percentage raw

Fruit - Organic and limit to 2-3 servings per day

Nuts and Seeds – Nuts and seeds are allowed in moderation- due to high omega-6 fats and some inflammatory factors. If you eat nuts and seeds eat them raw as opposed to roasted in vegetable oil. Limit to 1 serving (1oz) per day *Walnuts and Macadamias are your best choice(s) Note: Peanuts are a legume, like beans and are excluded from the diet.

Potatoes – White potatoes are out because they are a “new” food. However, you may consume 1 serving (fits into the palm of your hand) Sweet Potatoes or Yams, particularly after workouts due to the carbo/sugar load.

Grains – ALL grains are out ….these are ALL products of modern Agriculture. This includes wheat, rice, corn, quinoa, etc.

Dairy – During the 30 day challenge- I suggest eliminating ALL sources of dairy. Some paleo advocates strictly oppose it’s inclusion and others are huge advocates of Raw dairy from grassfed cows (Weston A Price followers). There are also others that recommend goat dairy rather than cow due to its less allergenic proteins ,lower lactose). Personally, I eat RAW goat cheese, yogurt, and kefir and do very well on it. In general, cultured dairy (yogurt, kefir) is more digestible and less allergenic than the plain milk product. Obviously, whey protein is out on two counts: 1) it’s from milk 2) it’s highly processed. IF you are going to consume cheese, RAW Goat is best. And you can substitute any milk intake with Coconut Milk (Unsweetened)

Supplements – I am not big on supplements. The reasoning is that our bodies are hugely powerful and intelligent when given good food, low stress, sleep and a proper lifestyle. There are many natural ways to get your pro-biotic’s . Omega-3’s, Vitamin C , etc… in Whole food form. I will share many articles, food choices and recipes during the challenge – so, save your money for high quality foods that truly and fully nourish your body. If you are dealing with any deficiencies, I suggest therapeutic juicing over supplements, as an addition to your lifestyle.

Ladies, ready to become a Primitive Diva. Join the tribe on Facebook (link on right) . I will offer several product/book giveaways to those of you who bring the most new friends to the tribe. Sharing many Primitve Diva recipes, photo’s, workouts, beauty tips and videos to help with the challenge, starting March 1st, 2011. I encourage you to keep a journal and take before and after photo’s to see the AMAZING transformation of your best Cavegirl selves. Feel free to twitter questions to me @primitivediva. At the end of our premier 30 day challenge, we will have a launch party in Houston, Texas to unveil the Primitive Diva logo and to celebrate our vibrant health. So start shopping for that special cavegirl dress and don’t worry about the shoes….its ALL about rocking the pedicure , right?

Are you ready to become a Primitive Diva too....?

Are you ready to transform your health and become a Primitive Diva too...? Check back soon for the 30 day health makeover challenge, starting March 1st, 2011! Back to working on the details.

Primitive recipes for a modern Super Bowl.....

Here are two favorite recipes that are on the menu at my house for tomorrows BIG game. Please share your own Primitive/Primal/Paleo or RAW favorites. Would love to see some photo's shared on the wall at Primitive Diva's Facebook Fan Page. Get busy in the Kitch, Diva's!




GREEN bay Salsa (also known as The Diva’s Primitive Salsa Verde)

8 Tomatillos
2 Large Cucumbers
1 Avocado
6-8 Cloves of Garlic
1 Cup Cilantro
1/2 Cup diced Green Onions
2 Jalapeno's (seeded)
Juice of 1 Lime
1-2 Tsp. Himalyan Salt (optional)

1) Blend in food processor and place in glass bowl, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours while flavors blend.

2)Serve with sprouted grain chips--- preferably Kohlrabi slices or Terra Root chips (If you are grain free, like me)----ENJOY!


Pittsburg Potatoe skins (not Red skins, haha!)

6 large sweet potatoes
2 teaspoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
Several dashes bottled hot pepper sauce
1 cup chopped nitrate free natural bacon(cooked and chopped)
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
*4 ounces shredded raw unpasteurized Goat cheese (i.e. Naked Goat)
*1/2 cup Greek God’s or RAW yogurt (*optional)

1)Scrub potatoes thoroughly and prick with a fork, bake potatoes in a 425 degrees F. oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until tender.) Cool.

2)Halve each potato lengthwise. Scoop out the inside of each potato half, leaving about a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Cover and chill the leftover filling (great for making sweet potato muffins-Primal style) Combine the coconut oil, chili powder, and hot pepper sauce. With a pastry brush, brush the insides of the potato halves with the oil mixture. Cut the potato halves in half lengthwise. Return to the baking sheet. Sprinkle potato quarters with bacon, tomato, and green onion.

3)Bake at 450 for 10 minutes. When done you spay sprinkle the raw goat cheese on top and allow to melt (do not heat the cheese).Then top with optional yogurt. I have even used diced or pureed avocado for extra healthy fats and flavor!

I hope you enjoy these....!

I have BUGS in my gut.....?

Thats what my clients typically respond when I explain the foundation of our digestive system and how our intestinal health relates to our overall health. I have worked with hundreds of clients through the years on therapies that detox and clean their digestive systems. Nutritional therapies that eradicate yeast/bacteria overgrowth, correct gut dysbiosis,heal leaky gut and help them eliminate common food allergens/sensitivities that may be further damaging their intestinal lining and compromising their health. The issues that are related to poor digestive health and yeast (Candida Albicans) overgrowth are numerous. Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue, Migraines, Joint Pain, Brain Fog, Weakened Immune System and Allergies- just to mention a few. Really, there are more, MANY more!

Both good and bad bacteria are present in our bodies at birth. Under normal conditions, your body has a wonderful innate ability to control the balance of the bacteria population- keeping the damaging yeast/bacteria to a minimum. However, due to the modern SAD diet (Standard American Diet)loaded with sugar and starches that convert easily to sugar, overuse of anti-biotics and stress, the beneficial bacteria are compromised and, the bad bacteria are prolific with the heavy carbohydrate nourishment.

When Candida becomes overpopulated in the body, things get out of control. The excessive Candida can result in a variety of physiological symptoms/conditions. Your immune system goes into overdrive producing antibodies to fight against the yeast cells, which are perceived as an intruder. With your immune systme busy protecting you from the Candida- it results in a weakened response to other pathogens and virus(s). This can also increase sensitivities to pollen, food, tobacco, smoke, perfumes and chemicals. Though yeast lives mostly in the mucosal lining of the mouth, sinus, stomach vaginal cavity and intestines, it can also affect joints and muscles in the form of aches, stiffness and debilitating pain (fibromyalgia) as well as, skin issues (i.e. rashes, eczema, psoriasis and fungal infections).

Some doctors argue that nearly 80 percent of the American population may be affected by an overgrowth of Candida yeast (I thinks it is higher). As I mentioned before, much of this is caused by the overuse of prescription antibiotics and diets high in sugar and other carbohydrates. If the overgrown yeast is left untreated, it can become parasitic, developing rhizoids (plant-like roots) that penetrate and attach themselves to the inside of the intestinal wall- sounds pleasant, right?. These roots can dig deep enough to cause permeability in the intestinal tract and allow toxic material to flow into the blood. This condition is known as Leaky Gut Syndrome or LGS. When you have mal-digested proteins entering the body, there is cascade of responses that produce an opiate like effect---can you say Brain FOG!

Beneficial bacteria also attach themselves to the intestinal wall helping to repair and clean the mucosa rather than destroy it. Bad bacteria, good bacteria, and Candida yeast all fight for available attachment points along the intestinal wall. When enough beneficial bacterial strains or Pro-biotics are introduced, Candida is overtaken and healthy intestinal flora will colonize in their place. Probiotic originates from the Greek, meaning “for life,” and is medically referred to as a group of “friendly bacteria” or “microflora.” Trillions of bacteria and other microbes inhabit our digestive tract making it possible to digest food, absorb nutrients, and fight off infections and diseases. The human digestive tract carries over 400 distinct microorganisms. The number of microorganisms in the body far exceeds the number of tissue cells, making up nearly four pounds of body weight.

Antibiotic Exposure?

Even IF you have been diligent about avoiding anti-biotics for illness. Commercially raised animals for meat and dairy products are exposed to some 30 different antibiotics, all approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These antibiotics are as detrimental to good bacteria as they are to the bad. Current farming techniques indiscriminately remove bacteria in the soil from which our fruits and vegetables are grown. Giving antibiotics to the animals from which we get our dairy products is another negative in the balance of good vs. bad bacteria. Now more than ever there is a need to replenish the probiotics missing from our diets and know where your meat is sourced from. Visit www.eatwild.com for anti-biotic free meat resources or buy direct from my link to US Wellness Meats and have it shipped directly to your door.

Probiotic bacteria favorably alters the intestinal microflora balance, inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, promotes good digestion, boosts immune function, and increases resistance to infection. People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria. There are many primitive means of obtaining beneficial bacteria through fermented foods-without eating the common probiotic food of yogurt. The Sauerkraut recipe that I shared last week is loaded with beneficial bacteria and enzymes. (Please note: I will be sharing several wild fermentation recipes in the Primitive Diva book.)

A standard therapeutic method for balancing this overgrowth ( beyond just adding the beneficial probiotics to the diet) promotes a dietary change. One that eliminates ALL grains, dairy and sugars and returning to a diet that is identical to our hunter/gatherer Primitive ancestors. So, Primitive/Primal/Paleo Diva's and Dudes, It is a perfectly designed diet for great digestive health too! And its been here all along….the original diet for optimal health. So, lets continue to hunt and gather our way to a healthy lifestyle and keep the bugs in our gut in check!

If you need more information on Digestive Health programs for you or your family. Please contact me at primitivediva@gmail.com. I have all inclusive 30 days programs that offer support,recipes and meal plans.

Advice from a MOOSE!

Working on the book full steam now...no time for a lengthy blog article today BUT just had to take a break stop by for a visit and share some very PRIMAL and WILD wisdom for the day!

I have often been compared to a "momma moose" because of my protective behavior with my kiddo's. I am pretty laid back until I sense danger, haha! My hubby even bought me a sweet silver moose charm in Colorado for my James Avery to remind me of this simple daily advice from author/artist, Ilan Shamir....

~Think BIG....!
~Spend time in the woods
~Eat plenty of GREENS
~Hold your head up high
~Stay on track
~Keep your nose clean
~......its okay to be a little WILD!

So girls....be a little wild and follow these simple ideas. It will get you through anything life throws at you. Have an awesome day ,Diva's!

Becoming Primitive....

In my research for the Primitive DIVA book, I have spent countless hours reading blogs, books, magazines and research around Natural Health, Wellness, the promotion of living a more Green primitive lifestyle and all things related to sustainable living. One thing became very predictable in most of the authors message(s).
Doom and gloom, and lots of negative and fear based writing.

In the past several years I have intentionally limited my exposure to serious environmental issues in the media. Mainly because as a super sensitive empathetic person, I could not deal with all the negative information without having the solution to share. It seems that having the knowledge is one thing, but the power comes in knowing how to make concrete steps towards leading a more natural life, not just being bombarded with all the realistic understanding of chemical and industrial hazards that are out there.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I do consider it imperative that we need to be aware of any danger associated with knowing where our food comes from, be able to know what to look for in your household cleaners, skin care products along with being mindful of the impact we leave on this beautiful blue/green globe of ours…. However, The challenge is balance. Knowing what to DO about it, practical steps towards better living. This reflects in my own Primitive Diva philosophy that will be explained in more detail in the book.
For instance, knowing which foods are the best to eat organically really helps me prioritize choices in the grocery store. I am continually quoted as answering questions during a nutrition consult with “Well, in a PERFECT world, we would choose…..” Guess what? We do not live in a perfect world! Realistically, I cannot optimally sustain my health and that of my family IF I refuse to consume anything else but local, organically grown foods that I have personally confirmed their individual farming practices. The Diva side of me lives in the real world with busy’ness and stressful family activities and schedules. So finding my way to being primitive has empowered me with information and practical advice of long lost traditional wisdom to share.

I have devoted much time over the past 20 years studying data in both nutritional clinical /science (the Future) and nutritional anthropology (the Past). The two directions have allowed me a much deeper understanding of natures intended nutritional guidelines. My own nutritional experiences (success’s and failures) have ranged from RAW vegan, Macro-biotic, Yeast Free, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Carb to Raw Paleothic… Whatever the diet dictocrats were promoting as the lastest and greatest. You name it and there is a book selling it.---and people hoping for a magic bullet, buying it! All in trying to understand our physical makeup and what allows the body to heal itself---“let food be thy medicine”, right? I have a sincere passion to understand the how and why’s of our traditional pillars of health wisdom. With the ludicrous statements and theories that I have seen, read or heard from the gurus through the years— and a strong mistrust of anything to do with corporately founded/funded science (Big Pharma, Big Agra, Food Scientist, the AMA, the FDA, the USDA or any other government or corporate agency) I began a very important evolutionary quest to get past the hype, confusion and political posturing of our food industry that surrounds our experts in dietary/nutrition arena. I searched for facts that could be evidenced through several generations. I discovered my most profound truth for health and wellness by looking back---by looking at generations of our ancestors. Societies who thrived by hunting wild animals and fish and gathered wild fruits and vegetables. We commonly refer to their lifestyle today as “hunter-gatherer”. I have studied research material of the world’sPioneers of nutrition, leading evolutionary biologist, paleontologists, geneticist, nutritional anthropologist and researchers devoted to the historical study of the human body and health.
Through the professional research support and education from these experts I have embraced the learning of forgotten food preparations and traditions of generations before us. Methods that seemed to have been tossed away with each new technological advance, preservative and flavor/color enhancer. What people have eaten and more importantly how they prepared it has helped humans for many ages of time be free of diseases- such as diabetes, cancer, hypothyroidism, heart disease, auto-immune diseases ,dental disease obesity and many other serious health problems. Their diets not only influenced their health but for a large extent---determined it! History reveals that the healthiest people in the world were/are the most primitive people as well! Our ancestors rarely died from diet or lifestyle related illnesses that kill most modern people before their time. Our ancestors foraged for wild game, fresh caught fish from the sea or inlands, wild berries, nuts and plant foods. They had more active lifestyles in every day physical demands. They did not have health clubs and gyms.
While I readily admit that we cannot go back to the old ways of our primitive ancestors completely, we can learn from their wisdom and make our bodies strong, healthy and disease resistant. So, over the next few months I will share some principles for maintaining optimal health in a very primitive way.

Lets explore the definition of the original hunter gatherer primitive diet:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The modern dietary regimen known as the Paleolithic diet (abbreviated paleo diet or paleodiet), also popularly referred to as the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and hunter-gatherer diet, is a nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various human species habitually consumed during the Paleolithic—a period of about 2.5 million years duration that ended around 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture. In common usage, such terms as the "Paleolithic diet" also refer to the actual ancestral human diet. Centered on commonly available modern foods, the "contemporary" Paleolithic diet consists mainly of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, roots, and nuts; and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar, and processed oils.

First popularized in the mid 1970s by a gastroenterologist named Walter L. Voegtlin, this nutritional concept has been promoted and adapted by a number of authors and researchers in several books and academic journals. A common theme in evolutionary medicine, Paleolithic nutrition is based on the premise that modern humans are genetically adapted to the diet of their Paleolithic ancestors and that human genetics have scarcely changed since the dawn of agriculture, and therefore that an ideal diet for human health and well-being is one that resembles this ancestral diet. Proponents of this diet argue that modern human populations subsisting on traditional diets allegedly similar to those of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers are largely free of diseases of affluence, and that two small prospective studies of the Paleolithic diet in humans have shown some positive health outcomes. Supporters point to several potentially therapeutic nutritional characteristics of allegedly preagricultural diets.