Early last century, Dr Weston A. Price spent many years traveling around the world, visiting isolated traditional peoples who were still eating traditional diets. He studied them as they came into contact with modern processed food and noted the physical degeneration that occurred. Out of his research he found that all traditional peoples had the following things in common in their diets and he believes it is critical that we return to the dietary principles of pre-industrial societies to avoid the “plague” of degenerative diseases that has beset our modern societies.

These principles are:

• Eat whole natural foods
• Eat only foods that will spoil but eat them before they do
• Eat naturally raised meat including fish, seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, game organ meats and eggs
• Eat whole naturally produced milk products from pasture fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as yoghurt, kefir, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream
• Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller pressed sesame and flaxseed oils and the tropical oils, coconut and palm
• Use whole grains and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour levening to neutralize phytic acid and other nutrients
• Include enzyme enhanced lacto fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis
• Prepare home made meat stocks from the bones of chicken beef lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces
• Use herb teas and coffee substitutes in moderation
• Use filtered water for drinking cooking
• Use solar dried, unrefined sea salt and a variety of spices for food interest and appetite stimulation
• Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller pressed flaxseed oil
• Use natural sweeteners in moderation such as honey, maple syrup, shakkar and stevia
• Use only unpasteurised wine and use in moderation
• Cook only in stainless steel, glass, cast iron or good quality enamel
• Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light

His book "Nutrition and Human Degeneration" is a profoundly interesting but disturbing book that is a must read if we’re serious about our health and the future of the human race. Sally Fallon is the director of the Weston A. Price Foundation and her cookbooks "Nourishing Traditions" and "Eat fat Lose Fat" are wonderful books too.

More information can be found on the Weston A. Price Foundation Website