Animal-Based Diet: Prioritizing Quality for Health and Well-Being

We’ve recently started following an Animal-Based Diet, and it has truly transformed how we approach food and our health. This diet isn’t just about what we eat; it’s about prioritizing quality and making informed choices about the foods that nourish us.

The animal-based diet revolves around three simple things:

• Prioritize Well-Raised Meat: This means opting for grass-fed and pasture-raised meats whenever possible. Grass-fed beef, offers significant health benefits compared to grain-fed. Not only is it richer in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, but it also avoids the potential harmful effects of pesticides found in grains used to feed conventional livestock.
• Focus on Low or Medium-Toxicity Carbohydrates: Instead of relying on highly processed grains and sugars, we choose to eat carbs from fruits, honey, and dairy. This helps to maintain a stable blood sugar level while still providing essential nutrients without the bad stuff associated with refined sugars and artificial additives.
• Eliminate Highly Processed Foods: By cutting out seed oils, artificial sweeteners, and other heavily processed foods, we are trying to reduce inflammation and support our overall well-being. 

Balancing The Diet

While we try to follow the key parts of this diet, perfection isn’t my goal. Occasionally, I love to indulge in foods outside of the diet but it’s helpful to understand that balance and moderation are key. After all, my goal is to nurture a sustainable approach to eating that supports my  health without feeling too restrictive.

For example, strict animal-based diets typically exclude coffee, I love starting my mornings with my Nespresso Ice Leggero espresso shots! I’ve learned to balance my love for coffee by limiting my intake to certain days, and on other mornings, I opt for a refreshing matcha tea to start the day.

When I crave specific foods or treats, we enjoy creating healthier versions at home. They may not taste exactly like the originals, but they are pretty close and satisfy the craving with wholesome ingredients that align with our commitment to healthier eating.

It’s important to note that depending on what website or article you’re reading, the animal-based diet guidelines can vary. Some people may follow stricter guidelines than others but my approach is about finding what works best for my body and lifestyle. 

After dinner I love to have at least one bite of something sweet to end the day on! To avoid consuming refined sugars and unnecessary additives, we’ve been experimenting with homemade treats like ice cream sweetened with honey and dark chocolate bites made with coconut oil and honey. It is fun to experiment and find new recipes that taste delicious and are good for our bodies. Check out my post about seed-oil free snacks that we love, there are some sweet treats included in there too!

Benefits of the Animal-Based Diet

The animal-based diet offers a number of benefits, including reducing inflammation, supporting mental clarity and well-being, healing the gut, and providing our bodies with balanced nutrients in forms that are easily absorbed! By following this diet, we are embracing our ancestors dietary patterns that we’ve evolved with for over two million years. It’s a return to eating food that promotes overall health! Woohoo!