DNA Diets

Recent conversations and genealogy work got me thinking about my ancestors diet and lifestyle. Mine are from Annacoty, Limerick Ireland.They were farmers - music to my ears! I've always felt that food isn't "one size fits all", some people can eat a lot of carbs and never put on weight, others just eat a slice of bread and are instantly bloated. I totally believe that quality, portion sizes and family history are all relevant to diets.

I have spent all of my life in the south of England, born & raised in kent and recently relocated to the Wiltshire / Somerset border. As a child born in 1980 my diet was heavily influenced by the boom of supermarkets, I can remember having a butchers, veg shop and milkman all supply our family with food until around 1993. Once my mum returned to work the convenience of the supermarket became our staple diet, though I have to credit my parents for refusing to buy supermarket meat for many years. My packed lunch would consist of white bread and ham with margarine (my mum was very health concious and thought this was the healthiest and safest option as we all did at the time! see article), a packet of crisps, a can of fizzzy drink, a penguin chocolate bar and and  a piece of fruit. I didn't struggle with my weight as a teenager, but I can remember having problems with sleep, tiredness, motivation, commitment, oily skin, regular mood swings and occasional paranoia, but that's all normal teenage behaviour - right?!

Since being exposed to the wonderful pool of knowledge that my husband and the Weston A Price Foundation freely make available for the public to absorb, It has got me thinking more and more about the food chain and my ancestors eating habits. In Limerick, there is plenty of fresh water running through villages and even the City itself. My grandparents and their parents would regularly fish in the open waters near their homes. It is interesting to note they often ate fish yet today, it is rarely included in our weekley meal plans. There were many farm animals within the local community to provide them with healthy fats, home grown  vegetables and fresh raw milk from their own grass fed cattle. My ancestors were farmers, they ate what they produced and sold on the rest. As I look at the pictures of my great grandparents, I can't help but notice how strong they look, women included. I don't doubt for a second that they wouldn't have appreciated some of our modern conveniences like dishwashers & washing machines but in general they enjoyed such a good healthy lifestyle.

Power Family - Annacotty

The first thing i notice is everyone is smiling, nice big smiles, nice white teeth, healthy wide faces, All the women look well nourished and their weight is in proportion with their body frames. The children don't have snotty noises or that whimpering sad face so many children of today seem to have, It's almost like modern children can't sleep, eat or speak and life in general is so hard for them, which is understandable when you learn what's in our modern diets. My ancestors loved their sport, so as well as a great natural wholesome diet, they enjoyed hurling and Gaelic football and became very successful and respected as a result. It's so important to create an active, healthy mind by getting involved within our communities. 

Breakfast for them was usually a large meal, consisting of oatmeal porridge, eggs, bacon, home-made bread ( Brown soda / wheaten bread) , butter, and preserves. Strong black tea with milk and sugar is served with all meals (Signs of modernisation creeping in even then). Lunch tended to be the main meal of the day and was usually eaten at home with the whole family. Lunch was often a hearty soup or stew, followed by meat (frequently fish - Salmon or Lamb / bacon (boiled Gammon), potatoes, vegetables, bread ( Brown soda / wheaten bread), and home made dessert. Afternoon tea was common and a light supper would be served later in the evening.

When you think about the way we eat today, it's no wonder we are all easily exhausted and stressed out. 

Breakfast: We start our day with a bowl of cereal and we all know from a previous blog that it has no real nutritional value at all. Some people will blend smoothies using exotic fruits that we as a nation have to import, others will juice some fruit and drink a big glass of mixed home-made juice which is basically a large intake of carbs. You can always have an organic yoghurt right? Well, If you look at the sugar content in your yoghurt, you may rethink that one too.Then again, some people skip it all together!

Suggested breakfast:  Porridge with a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup, Soak in raw milk/yoghurt and cook in milk, not water. Organic free range sausages and bacon, free range, pastured eggs are all nourishing, naturally produced (and preferably local) animal produce that can contribute towards a good start to the day.

Lunch: People are becoming obsessed with different types of sandwiches and wraps. Especially ones containing the lighter meats like chicken. Or if that's not an option simple salad with some kind of unusual beans & shoots that will leave you hungry and snacking all afternoon till tea time. The distinct lack of energy and nutrition in such a lunch has become the norm and rarely leaves people satisfied for more than an hour ( length of a lunch break).

Suggested Lunch: Organic, free range Scotch eggs, organic sour dough bread with grass fed raw cheese and thickly spread grass fed butter will satisfy for a greater portion of the afternoon. Eggs in general are great, bone broth soups with plenty of meaty chunks will hold such nutrient density as to leave you sustained for much of your afternoon..

Evening meals: we rely very heavily on carbs, I can remember a time when my weekly evening meals would be: Spaghetti bolognaise, pizza, chips & beans, shepherds pie, chilli & rice, Jacket potato & salad. Some of these meals are okay and if ingredients are considered probably come under the average category, but be mindful of servings, for chilli and rice, spend extra money on more meat and serve the rice as a side with salad (always put dressing on your salad, good quality olive oil & balsamic vinegar is a simple option).

Suggested Evening Meal: We tend to like our "meat and two veg approach" but we need to watch the quality of what we prepare. We need to avoid over cooking veg, over cooking our meat, medium or medium rare is ideal for darker meats. When filling your plate be aware of how much carbs you fill your plate with. I would suggest 50% meat/fats/sauces, 15% potatoes and 35 % non-starchy vegetables. Make your own gravy from the juices of the meat and pile on the butter when preparing the vegetables  for serving.

Deserts: These tends to be very sugary , ice-creams, cakes, custards etc.

Suggested Deserts: To be honest a really good sign of a very nutritious meal is a sense of satisfaction and lack of cravings for something sweet! Sweet cravings immediately following an energy dense meal are not your body seeking energy (you have just had plenty), but seeking nutrients. Ask why your meal did not satisfy and try to put that right next time. If you do have a sweet craving then at least seek something nourishing - why not make your own high quality ice cream!

My general rule: When trying to be healthy, be careful around mainstream magazines and supermarkets who are more interested in generating a sale than sharing scientifically reliable information. Focus on your ancestors, if your great grandmother couldn't make and prepare it in her little kitchen, then don't try and make it in yours.