Primal Primer 16 (Nutrition)
Primitive humans used a combination of natural instincts, learned behavior, and trial by error, in efforts of avoiding poisonous or anti-nutrient foods. Layered approaches in consciously and enteroceptively choosing the most nutrient and energy dense fuel provided significant survival advantage to our species. Risks from consuming poisons or bacterial infested fuels were a clear and present challenge to our predecessors; with error incurring high risk consequences. Developed and passed down strategies to infer and communicate risk of consumption without in vivo learning was critical to ensuring nutrition was consumed without acute or chronic detriment.
Avoid Poison
Taste & Smell – Caustic and sour flavors are often associated with toxins or spoiled food. Often many poisonous plants also contain alkaloid compound which sapiens are naturally averse to (evolved protective mechanism).
Visual Cues – Brightly colored plants and fungi can signal toxicity through warning colors; early humans learned to associate certain visual patterns with danger.
Nausea & Vomiting – In response to consuming poisonous foods, the sapien’s body induces nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms in efforts of purging and creating conditioned avoidance responses.
Processing & Preparation – Developing protocols for detoxifying certain foods through cooking, soaking, or fermenting are learned tactics in neutralizing toxins and reducing the impact of anti-nutrients.
Shared Knowledge & Cultural Transmission – Through oral traditions, the passing of vital information about food sources and preparation secured nutrition while helping to avoid potentially life threatening mistakes.
Be Wary Of Extreme Avoidance
The risks of acute poisoning and death from consuming foods when hunting and gathering in modernity are extremely rare, albeit the potential of long term slow poisoning is now a clear and present risk. Pitfalls of adhering to narrow nutritional protocols or catching the latest strain of influencer influenza by pledging fealty to certain foods while banishing others, inherently holds its own risk. Be careful of what is vilified and seek clarity from the lab of you. Gain understanding of your individual food reaction mechanisms, and be wary of broad convictions and intense specificity. Tomato and beef will not kill you….and both will likely fit your macros.
~Cave Implementation~
Investigate macro and micro nutrient constellations that work for your individual engine. Demonstrate willingness to question everything, especially when online influence has the tendency to make us fear all foods. Most nutrition advice is misleading and connected to agenda & profit. Seek your own way forward with honest focus on intentional eating. The body and mind will inherently distinguish between foods that are meant for nourishment and foods that are inhospitable fuel.
Seek Clarity In The Lab Of You.
