Did the Start of Agriculture Help or Hinder our Health?
Many people believe that the beginning of agriculture actually did more to hinder our health than help. Ever since the development of agriculture approximately 10,000 years ago, the human form has suffered. There has been a decline in overall health, a decrease in height, an increase in the amount of diseases and health conditions afflicting humans, and an increase in weight. Part of the reason for developing agriculture practices came from an ever-growing population. Prior to becoming an agricultural dependant society, people survived by hunting and gathering. This became quite inefficient when the number of people began to increase, and the need to have food readily available became essential.
The diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors consisted of basic meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and even insects. There were ingredients that were native to their particular area and easily found and collected. When agriculture began to take hold, foods such as corn, wheat, potatoes, peanuts, beans, rice, barley, soy, oats, and sugar began to become part of the daily diet. With the growth of these foods came the processing of these foods. From this point forward breads, baked goods, and alcohol became everyday staples.
Hybridizing took hold from there. No longer were normal types of plants and animals suitable. Fruits and veggies needed to be larger and sweeter, and animals started being bred with chemicals to promote larger portions of meat.
This transition has led many people to believe that our diet is directly linked to many of the illnesses suffered today. These people strongly believe that our bodies simply do not know how to process foods such as carbohydrates, grains, and legumes, and thus we begin to develop chronic conditions.
Because of these ideals, some nutritionists suggest that we need to get back to a more primitive diet that is based solely upon nutritional needs, not dietary wants. This can be achieved by going back to that hunter-gatherer diet our ancestors ate. So, how can you do this today? Easy! Before you put any food into your mouth, ask yourself if that food would appear just as it is in the wild, without any processing or use of technology. This means foods that contain sugars, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, or any other form of processed sugars are not allowed. Honey, but only in small amounts, is acceptable. All grains (oats, wheat, rye, rice, etc.) are prohibited. All dairy products, legumes, beans, soy, potatoes, yams, and parsnips must be avoided as well. Any other foods that have been processed or commercially produced such as coffee, pasta, bread, oils, sweets, ice cream, condiments, etc. are also forbidden.
At this point, you are probably asking yourself what is left that you can eat. Meat that is unprocessed such as uncured bacon, free-range beef, pork, chicken, game meats, and fish is acceptable. Most forms of vegetable are allowed and include: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, artichokes, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuces, onions, and beets. Apples, tomatoes, apricots, avocadoes, berries, and bananas are acceptable fruit sources. Some forms of nuts are allowed as well and include: almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, pecans, and Brazil nuts. Peanuts are not actually considered nuts and are not allowed on this diet.
The key to getting back to your roots and getting back to a more natural form of eating is to only consume foods in their most pure state. Anything that has been processed or prepared in anyway is not allowed and not authentic to this practice.
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