If you look at a menu from around 1900 or so, say a menu from the Titanic, you will find a glut of fatty meats, organ meats, oxtail soup, etc. Nary a brown rice dish in sight. Yet the life expectancy of that time was what, in the 50s and 60s?

Also, beds from that period were shorter than they are today.

Could it be that poor sanitation and, later, pollution have been factors in the “shortening” of humankind in the developed nations? When people stopped being nomadic and started growing crops they built latrines that they used over and over. Spoiled food was left in a big pile near the village. And they started domesticating livestock, so they were exposed to animal waste daily, often in their homes.

When large cities were formed because of factories and seaports, chamber pots emptied out the window into the street was common, and streets were slippery slides of horse sludge. Later, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, gas lamps lit every home, depositing soot on everything and everyone. Yet the more affluent occupants were big meat eaters.

Also, some of us are concerned about the ethical and health problems which factory farms raise. I live in an area where it is hard to find organic beef or free-range chicken and if you do find it is expensive.

I enjoy the blog. Thanks.

@ Elsa: I reccomend heavy cream as it is full of good nourishing fats. Have a look at this post for more info……..Bad Foods that are good for you…..

i’m just rabbling on. my point here is that i don’t think grains are all that bad if grown and prepared properly. after reading weston a. price’s research on traditional societies, it seems rather obvious that it is fully possible to maintain super health consuming mainly grains and dairy. the population of the small isolated valley of Loetschental consumed a diet consisting of 90 % grains and dairy. they had superior health and experienced none of the chronic illnesses normally seen in modern society. the main difference is of course that they ate food that was self grown. their grains were fermented, their milk was pure and raw, and their cows were healthy all the year around. they didn’t even brush their teethes, and yet they had no dental degeneration of any kind. same with the masai tribe in africa; they consumed large amounts of milk, yet they we’re as healthy and as strong as humans could possibly be.

the way i see it, the main problem with the modern world is the way in which we prepare our foods. we use artificial and unnatural ingredients, and let’s not even forget about how we raise the animals we eat, or how we grow our vegetables.

as for someone living in a modern society, unable to get a hold on properly prepared organic grains and unpasteurized organic milk, i think the paleo way is a good choice. however, i strongly disagree with some of the paleo heads who claims that one should only eat lean meat. cordaine claims we should eat as our ancestors, and yet we’re supposed to avoid fat? that doesn’t make sense. findings indicate that the paleo diet consisted of a lot of animal fat. just take a look at the eskimos; they eat a diet consisting of 80 % fat and they’re among the healthiest and strongest people in the world.

i’m sorry, this was a long post. i think that dropping the grains from our diet in this modern society is definitely a good choice. readers should follow Chris’ advice on this one.

to anyone reading this: i strongly urge you to look into weston price’s research. he spent 8 years traveling around the world, visiting the healthiest and fittest people in the world. he observed traditional societies and found the true cause of degenerative diseases and overweight.

peace out, sorry… this post was waaay too long.

@ Isaac: Cool comment. I myself am far from a total Paleo eater I tend to sway more towards the EF model. I still enjoy a good piece of crusty bread from time to time especially good with some raw cheese. Fatty meat is definitely on the agenda especially when its grass fed/quality stuff. Thanks for the comment it makes for a great contribution to the post.

@ Kat: Awesome testimonial, it goes to show what a profound difference such a small alternation to diet can make. Glad you have gotten over the cereal craving!