Dr. Weston A. Price traveled around the world in the 1930s and 40s to study the health of people eating their native or traditional diets, and what happened when refined white flour and sugar was added. His book “Diet and Physical Degeneration” is revered among traditional Nutritionists who recommend whole food diets for anti-aging and avoiding chronic disease. See https://www.westonaprice.org for more information.
This list was compiled by Dr. Price as a result of his research:
- Butter from grass-fed cows (preferably organic raw butter)
- Oysters
- Liver from grass-fed animals
- Eggs from organic free-range hens
- Cod liver oil
- Fish eggs
- Whole raw milk from grass-fed cows
- Bone broth (see Weston Price website for information on preparation)
- Wild salmon
- Whole organic yogurt or kefir
- Beef from grass-fed steers
- Sauerkraut
- Organic Beets
These foods provide concentrated nutrients needed for cellular health.
The cells of the brain and nervous system have a sheath around them, composed of 80% fat and 20% protein. This protects the cell, allows the transmission of nerve impulses and a path for regeneration in case of injury. Loss of this sheath is a marker of many degenerative diseases. So, eating the right kind and amount of healthy fats and protein are protective of these cells.
Heart disease barely existed before 1900, when people ate lard (animal fat), real butter, and plenty of animal protein. Margarine requires the use of metals such as aluminum and nickel in order to make the vegetable oil solid in a process called “hydrogenation”. Many other chemicals and flavor enhancers are added. This is not a “natural” food!
In 460 BC, Hippocrates said, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.”
What is “junk” food?
Junk food is food that has little or no nutritional value. If you want to be slim and healthy, 90% of the food you eat must have nutrients that repair and rebuild the cells of the body. So, just being skinny is not always healthier. What really determines the health of the body is how many healthy cells you have. Healthy cells withstand attacks from bacteria, viruses, fungus and toxins like chemicals and metals. The health of your cells determines your cancer risk because healthy cells reproduce healthy new cells, not mutants that form tumors.
High quality, nutrient-dense food can be delicious. Think fine French, Italian and Spanish cuisine! Your mental and physical health are both affected strongly by the foods you eat. Food is your friend, but you have to know how to find the real thing. Junk food only loves you for a few minutes, then lets you down by piling on fat and loading you with chemicals. Real food keeps your body strong and resilient and loves you all of your life.
You can help kick a drug or alcohol habit by stopping cold turkey. You can’t stop eating, but you can kick the habit of eating foods that do not provide high-quality nutritional value to the body.
This is the time to discover whole foods, organic foods and free-range foods. By eating more nutrient-rich food, many people find themselves free of cravings for the first time ever. The human body is very susceptible to habits. Eating natural, farm-raised foods can become a new habit that has enormous health benefits.
The result that you may be seeking the most is the loss of pounds and re-sculpting of the body. But don’t be surprised if you find that other health conditions that you considered chronic or “normal” start to drop away.
You can feel better, as well as look better.