Primal Primer 14 (Nutrition)
Our human ancestors were not particularly consistent with types, amounts, or times of food fueling. Largely due to the chaotic nature of the last thousands of years, nutrient consumption was highly varied and opportunistic; determined by availability of resources and corresponding to environment and season. Variability in diet, and the ability to efficiently extract nutrients in wide ranges was necessary precursor in adapting to new lands; a Sapien superpower many past species struggled to master.
Today, we have the gift and curse for consistency in quality, quantity, and timing. One half of the double edge, is that it is easy to consistently fuel poorly.
Benefits Of Consistency
- Macro & Micro Nutrient Consumption – The luxury of modern hunting and gathering facilitates the Sapien’s ability to consistently hit desired nutrient profiles for specific intent.
- Timing – Storage and surplus allows for fuel at your demand and during intentional feeding phases. Especially important for building muscle, sustaining muscle mass, and preparing for peak performance.
- Consistency Of Quality – Grocery stores and online purchasing enables sourcing of the highest quality foods conveniently and consistently.
Drags Of Consistency
- Consistency Of Poor Quality – If your fueling strategy sources primarily poor quality, preservative laden, pesticide soaked, and overly caloric dense foods, the ability to easily and often acquire these inhuman foods contributes to chronic and acute systemic disease states.
- Lacking Diversity – If overly consistent, the diversity of micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) creates deficiency and imbalance. Problematic toxicities driven by intense quantities of certain micronutrients being stored in the body is also unintentionally deleterious.
- Out Of Season Fueling – Fueling out of seasonal alignment creates conditions where food is less nutrient dense and less tasty (non-natural ripening). Foods in season helps the body attenuate to weather shifts: winter eating focuses on more root oriented heartiness and viral protection, whereas summer fueling with berries and fruits are more hydrating and caloric dense in preparation for when calories are less available in winter.
~Cave Implementation~
Be consistent in fueling strategies 80% of the time. Avoid the term “diet” as those are done without intention, rationality, and leading to failure. If you take vitamins or supplements take them routinely and at the same amplitude (amount & timing). The 80/20 rule (80% consistent / 20% aberrant) is helpful in guiding consistency of fueling strategy. Beware that 80/20 facilitates the taste of temptation often leading to completely Off Path.
Be Consistent In Fueling Strategies 80% Of The Time
