If you’ve ever wanted to know how it feels like to truly thrive with the Weston A. Price diet, read on.
If you’ve been through anything like I have, you were likely brought up with suboptimal nutrition compounded by the depleting nutrients in agricultural soils and environmental toxins, and never really knew what it felt like to *thrive*.
One of the greatest healing tools we’re fortunate to have on hand is nutrition. Proper nutrition is omnipotent and more vital than ever to thrive in body, mind and spirit in the modern world and reduce the impact of the assault of environmental and indoor toxins, heavy metals and chemical exposure, compounded by the decreasing nutrient and mineral content in the agricultural soils, foods, and water supply, disproportionately affecting some people more than others.
The good news is that the Weston A. Price diet, when flexibly adapted to your bioindividual needs, can address all of these issues and more.
Paleo, vegan, plant-based, AIP, carnivore, Mediterranean, keto, low FODMAP, ancestral… so often we love to condemn certain foods or lifestyles in favour of others, and even conduct heated online arguments over the minutiae of what is “good” or “bad”. The reality is that rigid diets are inherently unsustainable over the long-term, and unless you approach nourishment long-term from a genuine place of self-respect and self-love, it’s not even worth trying in the first place.
One of the greatest healing tools we’re fortunate to have on hand is nutrition, and the power of Weston A. Price’s teachings is inclusive rather than exclusive, and encourages flexibility. The Weston A. Price diet is not a typical strict or rigid “diet”. Modern Western dietary trends and labels can all serve their purpose and are there for you to explore as needed, but unless really required for a specific condition like AIP and keto, most of these labels—even including the notion of a “Weston A. Price diet”—go against the intuitive forces of our bodies’ ever shifting bioindividual dietary and nutritional needs.
After a multi-year stint with an organic, plant-based vegan “diet”, I’ve made the move towards including nutritious saturated animal fats and nose-to-tail eating inspired by the principles of the Weston A. Price diet which has benefited me greatly after a lifetime of improper nutrition. Even after a year of feeling the best I’ve felt in my whole life, I still feel like I’m building myself back up.
Personally I’ve tried out different modes of natural eating over the years, but in the end what I always come back to is my innate intuition with the rejection of labels—even that of the Weston A. Price diet. Our bodies are constantly changing with shifting needs in relation to our environment, and the importance of intuitive eating cannot be understated. From factors like your genetic history, memories, physical and mental stresses on any given day, preferences, access to proper food, epigenetics, level of activity, circadian rhythm, sunlight exposure… the body just knows, and no one but you legitimately knows what you need at any given moment. Think fluidity, cycles and flexibility.
Tune in and listen to your cravings, as this is your body’s way of telling you about your current nutritional deficiencies and subtle wants and needs—and the more you will gravitate to the wholesome foods your body is seeking nutrients from.
If we want the world to change, the healing of culture and greater balance in nature, it has to start inside the human soul.
—Michael Meade
The Weston A. Price diet guidelines can be a great tool for people of any age and may even reduce your need for dental appointments. The power of Weston A. Price’s teachings is inclusive rather than exclusive, and encourages flexibility. There really is no “diet” here. There are always exceptions; even if you “slip up” from the guidelines, don’t worry, know there is always a way to reverse/mitigate damage and rebuild through proper nutrition and detoxification.
Get to know your farmers and connect to respect the land you reside with. Your body will thank you as mine has done for me.
The Weston A. Price guidelines
- Eat whole, natural foods.
- Eat only foods that will spoil, but eat them before they do.
- Eat naturally-raised (grass/hay fed + finished, pasture raised or wild) meat including fish, seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, game, organ meats, and eggs.
- Eat whole, naturally-produced milk products from pasture-fed cows, goats, or water buffalo, preferably grass/hay fed, raw and/or fermented, such as whole yogurt, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream.
- Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller pressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils—virgin, cold pressed coconut and ethically sourced palm.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups, or lightly steamed.
- Use whole grains, beans, pulses and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid and other anti-nutrients. This includes rice and oats!
- Include enzyme-rich lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
- Prepare homemade stocks from the bones of properly raised animals such as chicken, beef, bison, lamb or fish, and use liberally in soups and sauces. (Use spring or filtered water, always with a splash of acid such as apple cider vinegar or lemon, and simmered for 24-48 hours to extract the vital minerals! — K)
- Use herb teas and coffee substitutes in moderation.
- Use filtered and restuctured or spring water for cooking and drinking.
- Use unrefined sea salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
- Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller expressed flax seed oil (not heated).
- Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar juice and green stevia powder
- Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals
- Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass/borosilicate glass, or good quality enamel.
- Use only natural supplements.
- Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
- Think positive thoughts and minimize stress.
- Practice forgiveness.
If you’re in southern Ontario, feel free to use code ROOTTOSKY15 for $15 off your first order at Wild Meadows Farm. With the proper sourcing, the Weston A. Price diet can be easily and flexibly made your own.
For more potentially life saving nutritional guidance and teachings, visit the WAPF website. The Weston A. Price diet can change your life for the better.
