We have all heard about the paleo diet (aka the caveman, or stone age diet) and how our ancestors lived and survived as hunter gatherers.

Back then, the food was simple, unprocessed, and was sourced from their immediate surrounds.
In short, these days the paleo diet typically includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Of course, our ancestors were not too concerned about lean meats – they sourced what meat was available, and generally consumed all of it!
And calorie counting? I think they might have had a little giggle about that one!
They were opportunists. If they could eat it they would.

Moving into the present, we have seen a lot of changes in our lifestyles and diets since those times.
Most of the available food we have access to is processed. It is also modified with added salt, sugar, reduced fat, and a host of other additives and preservatives.

And let’s not forget the chemicals and insecticides that our food is grown in, and the consequent loss of nutrients our foods lose as a result of that.

Our ancestors didn’t have to deal with these issues.
Their foods were more nutrient dense, and much fresher – no refrigerators or sealed vacuum packs back in those days.

Today we assume that three meals a day is normal, and that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
We are fed and programmed with a consumption mentality.
Is it any wonder then, that we have health and obesity problems in the modern world?

Our ancestors had a real connection to the land and the seasons. They needed that connection to survive – they were always actively engaged in sourcing food.

And what about our active engagement in the modern world today?
It’s deciding whether we want to visit the supermarket, get them to deliver our food to us, or to get take away instead!

Our ancestors often would have to go without food, or at least be limited by the availability of the plants and animals around them.
They ate food when they were able to find it.
Often it was either a feast or a famine.

The feast or famine lifestyle does have some modern day correlations to time restricted eating or intermittent fasting (we will talk more about these approaches and how they can may support us with our health and fitness goals in future blog posts).

And fitness and exercise? Our ancestors didn’t do fitness – they didn’t need to.
Evading sabre toothed tigers and trying to stay alive was often exercise enough!

Lifestyles and diets have changed dramatically since the time of our hunter gathering ancestors.

There is much to learn – and unlearn – as we seek to live healthier, and more connected lives, in a world that continues to challenge us on so many levels.

Our ancestors certainly left us plenty of clues when it comes to living healthy lives, and at Energy Health Concepts, we are always looking for them!