#188 How to eat like a human again, with Dr. Bill Schindler
Oct 20, 2020
auto_awesome
Dr. Bill Schindler, a food archaeologist and chef, shares fascinating insights on how to revive our connection with food. He advocates for a return to nutrient-dense diets inspired by ancestral practices. Discussing the overlooked benefits of organ meats and proper plant preparation, he highlights the importance of traditional food processing methods. Schindler also emphasizes mindful eating, seasonal foods, and even the potential of insects as a sustainable source of nutrition, ultimately encouraging us to embrace simpler, healthier food choices.
Dr. Bill Schindler highlights the significance of consuming fresh, nutrient-dense foods over processed options for overall health improvement.
The conversation underscores the importance of traditional food processing techniques to enhance nutrient absorption and gastrointestinal health.
Emphasizing the often-overlooked nutritional benefits of organ meats can lead to healthier eating habits and responsible food consumption.
Insects are presented as a sustainable dietary source, rich in nutrients and environmentally friendly, ideal for modern nutrition needs.
Deep dives
Challenging Toxic Beliefs About Men
Negative beliefs about men can be rooted in past experiences, but they can be transformed through positive interactions. The host reflects on her journey of overcoming the mindset that all men are toxic after encounters with supportive male strangers. Recognizing that many men struggle with self-love and awareness of their strengths helps in understanding their behavior in relationships. Therefore, fostering emotional, mental, and physical well-being in men is essential for healthier partnerships.
The Importance of Nutrient-Dense Foods
Modern diets often lack essential nutrients, focusing instead on convenience and shelf life. The guest emphasizes the need to return to eating like humans, prioritizing fresh, nutrient-dense foods over processed items. Eating well influences not only physical health but also mental clarity and emotional stability. By dedicating attention to nourishing the body properly, individuals can improve their overall well-being.
Understanding Our Primal Eating Patterns
The conversation highlights the human digestive system's inefficiency compared to other animals, suggesting that humans must focus on how to eat rather than what to eat. This includes using traditional food processing techniques that have existed for thousands of years, which have allowed our ancestors to thrive nutritionally. Recognizing the importance of tools and technology that facilitate the safe consumption of various foods is crucial. Emphasizing the 'how' gives a deeper understanding of our ancestral eating traditions.
The Role of Traditional Food Preparation
The process of cooking and fermenting food can unlock essential nutrients that standard cooking methods may not. Fermented foods, for example, significantly aid in nutrient absorption and gastrointestinal health. Realizing that many dietary staples have been lost due to modern convenience paves the way for healthier eating habits. This highlights the importance of reconnecting with traditional cooking methods that benefit both health and sustainability.
Nourishing with Organ Meats and Fats
The discussion reveals that organ meats possess high nutritional value and are often overlooked in modern diets. Consuming parts of the animal like liver and marrow not only enhances health but also promotes responsible food consumption. These nutrient-dense foods have been a staple throughout human history, supporting overall health and well-being. By advocating for including organ meats and healthy fats like butter in diets, one can improve nutritional intake substantially.
Recognizing the Nutritional Power of Insects
Insects are positioned as a huge part of sustainable eating and nutrition, fitting seamlessly into traditional human diets across various cultures. The guest shares positive experiences with consuming insects, demonstrating their nutritional value and versatility. These proteins can provide essential nutrients while being environmentally friendly, as they require fewer resources to farm. As societies look for sustainable food sources, integrating insects into diets can bridge nutritional gaps.
Empowering Food Choices Through Understanding
Empowering oneself through knowledge about food choices is key to making healthier decisions. Engaging in the process of creating meals from scratch fosters a deeper connection with the food consumed. By understanding the ingredients and processing involved, individuals can become more informed consumers and avoid harmful additives. This approach encourages people to rethink eating habits and the importance of wholesome cooking in daily lives.
Dr. Bill Schindler is the founder and director of the Eastern Shore Food Lab, an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland and the co-star of the National Geographic series, The Great Human Race, Curiosity Stream’s, The Modern Stone Age Family and Wired Magazine’s, Basic Instinct. He is a food archaeologist, primitive technologist and chef and travels the world with his family documenting traditional foodways. He is on a mission to transform our diet and health by simply showing us what it means to Eat Like a Human again.