How to Transition to a Traditional Foods Diet

You've probably heard about the traditional foods movement and perhaps you're interested in improving your health and the health of your family by starting to incorporate traditional foods in your diet. But where do you even begin? Compared to the standard American diet, a diet rich in traditional foods can seem a bit daunting and like a lot of work. But it doesn't have to be! Feeding your family healthy, traditional foods can be simple with a little knowledge and planning.

What are Traditional Foods?

The traditional food movement focuses on real, whole foods: foods that our ancestors ate. The main deviation from the standard American diet can be found in the attitude towards fat and carbohydrates. Generally, traditional foodists eat fewer carbohydrates (particularly in grains and sugars) than most Americans and don't feel it necessary to limit their fat intake.

A typical day for someone who eats according to traditional foods may start with eggs, bacon, and some fruit, followed by meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables for lunch and dinner. If grains are eaten, they're generally soaked to neutralize anti-nutrients called phytates contained in raw grain products. Meats are generally grass fed, and dairy products are eaten raw: that is, not pasteurized. Processed foods, soy, trans fats, white flour products, and factory farmed meat and dairy products are generally avoided.

Benefits to a Traditional Foods Diet

By following the tenets of a traditional foods diet, many participants have found themselves far healthier than when they ate a standard American diet. Cholesterol and blood pressure are generally both lower (despite the presence of saturated fat in the diet) and blood sugar has a chance to stabilize. Many athletes find that they can build much more lean muscle on a traditional diet.

How to Get Started

Like any dietary change, it's best to start small. Replace your family's grocery store meat with grassfed products (for information on farms near you, try www.eatwild.com). Begin purchasing organic or free range eggs to replace the grocery store eggs you've been eating-they're more nutritious anyway. If you cannot afford or cannot find raw milk in your area, consider switching to grassfed whole milk (Natural by Nature has grassfed dairy products). Then, reduce the amount of grains you eat and consider soaking things like oatmeal overnight. One part water, one part oats, and a few tablespoons of kefir produces a delicious porridge the next morning (when you cook it for about five minutes in an additional part of water). Small changes can have you seeing amazing results in no time!