The term "indigenous diet" refers to the traditional diets of people living in preindustrial societies. In these societies, the human diet consists of wild plants and animals. Although few people are hunters and gatherers today, the Paleolithic diet has gained adherents who believe it is a healthier alternative to the modern diet.
History
Grains, legumes, dairy foods and alcoholic beverages were not a regular part of the human diet before the advent of agriculture, approximately 14,000 years ago. Sweeteners were mostly unavailable, with the exception of honey. Instead, humans hunted for game, collected eggs from wild birds, and gathered fruits, nuts, leaves and tubers. This diet became less common as agriculture was widely adopted. Today, less than 1 percent of the world's population adheres to a hunting-and-gathering lifestyle, according to the 1998 book, "The Paleolithic Prescription."
Variations
It is difficult to generalize about the diets of traditional peoples, because dietary habits vary widely according to local conditions. For example, according to "The Paleolithic Prescription," meat makes up only 10 to 20 percent of the diet for some Australian Aborigines, compared with up to 95 percent for Eskimos who depend heavily on hunting and fishing.
Benefits
Although obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes and many cancers are common in modern societies, there is little evidence of these diseases among people who adhere to a preagricultural diet and lifestyle, according to "Stone Agers in the Fast Lane," published in the April 1988 issue of the "American Journal of Medicine."
Contemporary Diet
Instead of gathering wild foods, many indigenous people now purchase processed foods such as bread, cheese and candy. Native Americans who have adopted a Western diet are at high risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes, reports Karen Lincoln Michel in a 2004 article in "The Washington Post."
Influence
According to Michel, some Native Americans are returning to a traditional diet. Indigenous diets have also served as the model for the so-called Paleolithic diet, also known as "the paleo diet" or "the caveman diet." In keeping with traditional dietary patterns, the Paleolithic diet emphasizes whole foods such as lean meats and vegetables, while discouraging the consumption of grains, dairy and sugar.
References
- "The Paleolithic Prescription: A Program of Diet & Exercise and a Design for Living"; S. Boyd Eaton, M.D., Marjorie Shostak, and Melvin Konner, M.D., Ph.D.; 1988
- American Journal of Medicine: Stone Agers in the Fast Lane: Chronic Degenerative Diseases in Evolutionary Perspective
- Washington Post: The New Focus on Native American Cooking
