How our Western diet differs to our evolutionary diet

Note: A paleo diet is not a diet that needs to be followed as a rigid prescription by anyone, in fact, I do not suggest you do. Use this information to be informed of the way our current diet is vastly different to the one we evolved on as humans, and how it might be impacting our health.

Professor Loren Cordain distinguished a number of key differences between today’s diet and the diet we thrive on with respect to our evolutionary heritage. Dr Cordain’s research shows that disruption in these underlies many of the chronic diseases in the Western World.

1. The Glycemic Load-the ability of food to spike or elevate blood sugar / insulin levels, we eat too many high GI foods
2. The Fatty Acid Balance– the Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio, our diets are now very high in Omega 6 and low in Omega 3. Ideally, we should have a 1:1 to 1:4 ratio of Omega 3 to 6
3. The Macronutrient Balance-the ratio of protein, carbohydrates, and fat has changed, we eat a diet with excessive carbohydrates, especially highly refined grains and sugar. In addition, we have large amounts of food with refined oil, refined carbohydrate (starch & sugar combination)
4. The Trace Nutrient Density – the amount of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals in the food we eat is very poor, due to nutrient-depleted ultra-processed foods.
5. The Acid/Base Balance -every food reports to the kidneys as either acid or base, we now have a high acid load diet
6. The Sodium/Potassium Balance – We eat far too much sodium and too little potassium. Sodium is added to ultra-processed foods.
7. The Fibre Content – we eat a fibre poor diet, this affects our microbiome

See this article which extends this information:
“10 Ways our diet today differs radically from the diet that best suits our genes”

See this article by Loren Cordain:

The Nutritional Characteristics of a Contemporary Diet Based Upon Paleolithic Food Groups