Characteristics of Traditional Diets studied by Dr. Price
- The diets of healthy primitive and non-industrialized peoples contain no refined or denatured foods such as refined sugar or corn syrup; white flour; canned foods; pasteurized, homogenized, skim or low-fat milk; refined or hydrogenated vegetable oils; protein powders; artificial vitamins or toxic additives and colorings.
- All traditional cultures consume some sort of animal protein and fat from fish and other seafood; water and land fowl; land animals; eggs; milk and milk products; reptiles; and insects.
- Primitive diets contain at least four times the calcium and other minerals and TEN times the fat soluble vitamins from animal fats (vitamin A, vitamin D and the Price Factor (now believed to be vitamin K2) as the average American diet.
- In all traditional cultures, some animal products are eaten raw.
- Primitive and traditional diets have a high food-enzyme content from raw dairy products, raw meat and fish; raw honey; tropical fruits; cold-pressed oils; wine and unpasteurized beer; and naturally preserved, lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages, meats and condiments.
- Seeds, grains and nuts are soaked, sprouted, fermented or naturally leavened in order to neutralize naturally occurring anti-nutrients in these foods, such as phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors, tannins and complex carbohydrates.
- Total fat content of traditional diets varies from 30% to 80% but only about 4% of calories come from polyunsaturated oils naturally occurring in grains, pulses, nuts, fish, animal fats and vegetables. The balance of fat calories is in the form of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
- Traditional diets contain nearly equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids.
- All primitive diets contain some salt.
- Traditional cultures consume animal bones, usually in the form of gelatin-rich bone broths.
- Traditional cultures make provisions for the health of future generations by providing special nutrient-rich foods for parents-to-be, pregnant women and growing children; by proper spacing of children; and by teaching the principles of right diet to the young.
Weston A. Price Dietary Guidelines
The Dietary Guidelines recommended by The Weston A. Price Foundation are as follows:
- Eat whole, unprocessed foods.
- Eat beef, lamb, game, organ meats, poultry and eggs from pasture-fed animals.
- Eat wild fish (not farm-raised) and shellfish from unpolluted waters.
- Eat full-fat milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as raw milk, whole yogurt, kefir, cultured butter, whole raw cheeses and fresh and sour cream. (Imported cheeses that say “milk” or “fresh milk” on the label are raw.)
- Use animal fats, especially butter, liberally.
- Use traditional vegetable oils only: extra virgin olive oil, expeller-expressed sesame oil, small amounts of expeller-expressed flax oil, and the tropical oils (coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil).
- Take cod liver oil regularly to provide at least 10,000 IU vitamin A and 1,000 IU vitamin D per day.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables – preferably organic – in salads and soups, or lightly steamed with butter.
- Use whole grains, legumes and nuts that have been properly prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors and other anti-nutrients.
- Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
- Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb and fish and use liberally in soups, stews, gravies and sauces.
- Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
- Use unrefined salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
- Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and a small amount of expeller-pressed flax oil.
- Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, maple sugar, date sugar, dehydrated cane sugar juice (sold as Rapadura) and stevia powder.
- Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
- Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
- Use only natural, food-based supplements.
- Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
- Think positive thoughts and practice forgiveness
On-Line Sources
Note: These are simply sources for nourishing foods and products. We do not receive any compensation from these companies.
Cultures for Health: Online source for yogurt starter, sourdough starter, kombucha, kefir grains, etc.
Eat Wild: North Carolina directory of “safe, healthy, natural and nutritious grass-fed beef, lamb, goats, bison, poultry, pork, dairy … and other wild edibles.”
Green Pasture Products: THE source for WAPF-style fermented cod liver oil, high vitamin butter oil, organic coconut oil and more.
Loki Fish Company: Online source for sustainably harvested wild salmon from the Seattle, Washington area.
Pure India Foods: Online source for organic ghee from grass-fed cows, Tulsi teas, organic herbs & spices, etc.
Radiant Life Company: One-stop online shopping source for Nourishing Traditions essentials such as healthy fats & oils, salts & minerals,supplements, etc.
Real Milk: Weston A. Price Foundation-sponsored project to promote pasture-fed, unprocessed, full-fat milk. Please check out Weston A Price Foundation website for link to raw milk sources.
Seafood Nation: Mail-order option for fresh caught seafood using sustainable practices.
Selina Naturally: Online source for Celtic Sea Salt, fermented foods, organic nuts, seeds, and other natural products.
Something Better Natural Foods: A co-op option for organic grains, seeds, nuts and legumes.
Tropical Traditions: Online source for certified organic virgin coconut oil and other coconut products plus many other organic food options.
Vital Choice Wild Seafood & Organics: Online source for home delivery of wild seafood and organic fare, harvested from healthy, well-managed wild fisheries and farms.
Wilderness Family Naturals: Online sources for certified organic virgin coconut oil and other nourishing foods.