Wild foods are the original foods of humanity, going back to the days when your hunter-gatherer ancestors picked wild nuts and berries from the forest. A wealth of wild foods is available growing in parks, forests, other wild areas or maybe even your own backyard. Eating a wild foods diet can be fun, healthy, delicious and educational, but be sure you have identified foods correctly before eating them and talk to your doctor before making any dietary changes.
Varieties
The wild foods available to you may vary depending on where you live. Wild edible plants include fruits such as apples or peaches, black berries and black cherries. Of course, many wild mushrooms are edible. Many wild greens such as dandelion and lamb's quarters are edible. There are also wild nuts -- black walnuts, for example -- and foods that you may have never thought of eating -- such as cattails -- all available in the wild. If you're gathering any wild foods yourself, be sure to do your homework so you don't end up getting a poisonous look-alike.
Nutritional Advantages
You can get a full range of the nutrients you need from wild foods, and you may even get a nutritional advantage. According to "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia," wild foods contain more energy than those that grow domestically. Wild plants may be higher in antioxidants -- the natural chemicals that protect plants from disease -- because they have had to fend for themselves in a wild environment.
Wild Greens
Wild greens, much like domestic ones, supply a wealth of essential minerals and vitamins. Common wild greens include stinging nettles, dandelion greens and lamb's quarters. These provide calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B. Nettles are especially high in iron and, according to "The New Whole foods Encyclopedia," are hearty enough to grow throughout the winter, even in very cold areas. Wild purslane is a prolific weed in gardens in temperate zones and is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein Sources
Many good protein sources can be found in wild plants, including nuts, seeds and vegetables. According to "Wildman" Steve Brill, wild foods educator and moderator of the website wildmanstevebrill.com, cattail shoots are high in protein and provide beta carotene, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin C. Wild chestnuts and acorns are low-fat, high-protein options. Wild pine nuts are also high in protein, but contain more fat.
Considerations
According to Brill, you should collect wild plants in areas that are "at least 50 feet from heavy traffic." Gather in areas that you know are free of pesticides or herbicides. Before gathering wild foods, be sure that you have identified them correctly -- Brill's website has pictures and descriptions of many common wild plants. When eating something new to you, try just a little at a time so you can watch for reactions you may have to new foods. Talk to your doctor before trying any new foods or making dietary changes.
References
- Wildmanstevebrill.com: Wild Plants
- "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia"; Rebecca Wood; 1999
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