The Ancestral Approach to Nutrition

kristiehowlett
Jun 18
2 min read

Updated: 18 hours ago

Eating the Way We Were Designed

A colorful assortment of nutrient-rich foods.

In a world overflowing with fad diets and ultra-processed convenience foods, it’s easy to lose sight of how we were actually meant to eat. But if we zoom out and look at the bigger picture—human history—we begin to understand something vital: our bodies haven’t evolved as quickly as our food supply has. That’s where an ancestral approach to nutrition comes in.

What Is Ancestral Nutrition?

Ancestral nutrition is the practice of eating in alignment with how humans have nourished themselves for thousands of years, long before chronic illness, obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic disease became the norm.

It’s not about going back to the Stone Age or following a one-size-fits-all “paleo” trend. It’s about honoring our biology and eating the nutrient-dense, whole foods our bodies are metabolically adapted to thrive on.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

Modern life has shifted our diets far from what our ancestors ate. Today’s food landscape is full of inflammatory oils, excess sugar, artificial additives, and synthetic ingredients that confuse our metabolism, disrupt our hormones, and stress our immune systems.

By contrast, ancestral nutrition focuses on:

Whole, unprocessed foods
Healthy fats (from animals, fish, avocados, olives)
Pastured meats, organ meats, and wild seafood
Seasonal vegetables and low-glycemic fruits
Fermented foods for gut health
Natural sources of minerals and electrolytes
Intentional fasting and meal timing

These things supported the health, fertility, energy, and longevity of generations before us.

The Benefits of Eating Ancestrally

When you nourish your body this way, many people notice:

Fewer cravings and more stable blood sugar
Deeper sleep and better energy throughout the day
A calmer gut and fewer digestive complaints
Less bloating and inflammation
Clearer skin and a brighter mood
Hormonal balance and a healthier menstrual cycle
Improved metabolic markers over time

This approach isn’t just for people looking to prevent disease—it’s especially powerful for those recovering from cancer, navigating menopause, or trying to optimize longevity and vitality.

Start Here: Simple Shifts Toward Ancestral Eating

You don’t have to be perfect or make every change at once. Here are a few places to begin:

Replace seed oils (canola, soybean, corn) with tallow, ghee, butter, or olive oil.
Focus on real food—if it didn’t grow, roam, or swim, it probably doesn’t belong on your plate.
Choose organic and pasture-raised when possible, especially for animal products.
Learn to read labels and avoid ingredients you can’t pronounce.
Cook more meals at home and connect with your food sources.

Final Thoughts

The ancestral approach to nutrition is not about restriction—it’s about restoration. It's a return to the wisdom of how our bodies are meant to be nourished. Whether you're healing from illness, managing hormonal shifts, or simply wanting to feel better in your skin, ancestral eating is a powerful place to begin.