All about Real Food Mum, The Cavewoman’s Diet
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “Real Food” by now. Most people have heard of it, but many are not quite sure what it is. We’re here to tell you all about Real Food Mum and why it is an excellent way to eat and to live.
To explain – picture yourself as a cavewoman millions of years ago. There was no such thing as cooking, let alone electricity to do it. So what would you eat? The answer is: anything that you can find.
Cavemen and women ate anything they could find in an effort to survive: fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and greens made up the majority of their diet. Eating certainly wasn’t a hobby such as what it has been made into today, but a means for survival – a means to nourish the body and thank it for all it does.
You’re probably thinking – That’s a great history lesson you’re teaching, but what does that have to do with me? Our answer is: It has a lot to do with you, especially if you’re looking for a way to eat healthier, get happier and live longer.
You can do a Google search for Real Food or Paleo studies in your spare time and learn about the massive effects an Ancestral lifestyle has on a person’s health, but we’ll give you the rundown: it kills depression, slows down or prevents diseases and autoimmune disorders, gives you a boatload of natural energy and provides your body with every nutrient it needs. And that’s not even all.
As a matter of fact, Real Food is so popular these days that millions of people follow it as a lifestyle. But why?
Before we get into the benefits, let’s look at some of the parameters – there are no grains, no sugar, no processed foods and for many people, no dairy.
Wait, what did they just say? Yep, you heard it right. Your favorite grains – cereal, rice, oatmeal, crackers, quinoa, bread, pasta, etc., etc. – aren’t typically in a Real Food lifestyle, and there’s a very good reason for it. Neither are your sugary treats, prepackaged meats or sugar laden yogurt.
Before you ditch this article altogether and tell yourself there’s no way you can do that, listen up. Trust us, you can.
The Impact of Glucose on the Body
The glucose, or sugar, consumed through grains by the majority of Americans is a main reason we eliminate the grains.
But why? Grains contain glucose that when consumed, and not used right away for energy, turn into fat. You can see this example in action by just looking around at the obesity epidemic. Put simply – eating grains can cause weight gain, and being overweight is harmful to every system and cell in your body.
The second-way people consume glucose is pretty much straight-up. In their coffee, in their baked goods, in their pantry, in their fridge, and probably most other places you look.
We all know that too much sugar can wreak havoc on our bodies. Sugar doesn’t just make you fat; processed sugar harms nearly every component of your body. It spikes your blood sugar, harms your liver and causes insulin dependence, and those factors are just the tip of the iceberg.
Lectins, Glutens...Oh, My!
The second thing we should discuss are the two other things found in grains that also put your health in jeopardy. These little things are called lectins and glutens, which pose a serious risk to our bodies.
Gluten is a protein that an overwhelming majority of Americans are sensitive to and lead to a solid number of diseases and disorders. I’m sure your eyes and ears have been inundated with the term “gluten-free”, and that’s exactly what we’re talking about.
Grains also contain lectins, but we should probably just call them what they are – toxins, which are difficult on the human body. What do toxins do? Prevent your body from doing its job.
What about Dairy?
I know you’re probably wondering what’s so bad about dairy. As part of a Real Food lifestyle, you have to decide for yourself how your body handles dairy. There are many other foods you can include to receive the nutrients that the dairy industry promotes are only available through dairy.
Can you drink milk? Yes, you can, although many people have an extreme sensitivity to dairy and it causes health problems for many. Do you have to have it to be healthy and is it considered in the Real Food Program? This is an area you have to personally determine for yourself.
We do want to mention raw milk and how some experts suggest it is a benefit to a Real Food diet. Raw dairy contains the enzymes needed to digest it, while pasteurized dairy does not. Therefore, some people that are sensitive to pasteurized dairy and whose body does not contain the enzyme, lactase, to help digest it, may do better on raw milk products – if that’s what they choose.
What Can I Eat?
Here is a basic list with what you would be eating in your Real Food Mum Program. However, for more advice on this, please contact us or refer to our Real Food Programs.
EAT:
Grass-produced meats
Fish/seafood
Fresh fruits and veggies
Eggs
Nuts and seeds
Healthful oils (Olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, coconut)
AVOID:
Cereal grains
Legumes (including peanuts)
Dairy
Refined sugar
Potatoes
Processed foods
Salt
Refined vegetable oils
What’s Important to You?
By going grain-free and only consuming natural foods, you eliminate many toxins from your body, thereby boosting your health immediately, draining your body of toxins and boosting your immune system.
For tips and tricks that will help you kick grains while eating on the go, visit our blog post here.
Have questions or need advice on your health?
Contact us at: realfoodmums@gmail.com
