- November 26, 2024
- 1930s, Breakfast, Carbohydrates, Carbs, Cheese, Chicken, Dairy, Diet, Dinner, Life Expectancy, Men's Health, PCOS, Pork, PUFA, Sourdough, Supper, Vegetable, Women's Health
What Did Your Great-Great-Great-Grandparents Eat?
Analysis by Ashley Armstrong
Reviewed by Keith W. Vrbicky, Sr., MD
November 26, 2024
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Life expectancy in the United States is currently declining, making it the only developed nation with this concerning trend. Since the 1930s, there has been a dramatic 700%increase in chronic disease development, rising from 7.5% prevalence to 60% of the population having one or more chronic conditions today
- In the 1800s, people ate three structured meals daily (breakfast, dinner, supper) without snacking or fasting, maintaining a simpler relationship with food than we have today
- Our ancestors consumed a high-carb diet rich in saturated fats, with minimal polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), as they didn’t use vegetable oils or eat many nuts and seeds
- The 1950s marked a significant shift in dietary recommendations, particularly regarding saturated fats and animal products, leading to major changes in the American diet
- To optimize your health, return to simpler food principles: cook at home, source quality ingredients within your means, stay active, and prioritize happiness over strict dietary rules