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During his global travels, Dr. Weston A. Price, DDS observed that all healthy traditional peoples ate raw animal foods, in addition to cooked animal foods. In contrast, meat and milk in today’s modern diet is mostly cooked and pasteurized. The average American is fearful of food that isn’t sterile; however, our ancestors knew the benefits of eating foods full of enzymes and life.
Weston A. Price, a 20th century dentist, observed cultures without access to processed foods, and he determined that, as a consequence, these peoples had far superior health in comparison to modern Westerners. He traveled the globe and studied primitive cultures in an effort to restore knowledge lost in industrialized societies. The Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) is dedicated to educating people today about how to use traditional foods and therapies to heal from the diseases of modernity, using the diet of our pre-industrialized ancestors.
The WAPF has digested Price’s work and synthesized 11 principles to help guide our dietary choices. This article is the fourth in a series to address and add context to each of the principles. The second principle of the Weston A. Price Foundation’s “Principles of Traditional Diets” states:
“All traditional cultures cooked some of their food but all consumed a portion of their animal foods raw.”
The thought of eating raw animal foods is uncomfortable for many people, due to safety concerns. However, with proper sourcing (high quality foods) and handling, risks can be minimized.
Why Eat Raw Animal Products
The technology of fire to cook our food is one of many characteristics of humans that set us apart from other animals. Cooking food, especially meat, makes it highly palatable and helps with digestion but it does destroy some nutrients. Eating raw animal products gives the person a high amount of water soluble vitamins B and C (often destroyed in cooking meat), are good for digestion and very bioavailable nutrition (as is the case for raw egg yolks), and have beneficial enzymes present (as is the case for raw milk). Add some raw foods is a way to balance out a mostly cooked diet.
How to Regularly Consume Raw Animal Foods
1. Switch to Raw Milk
Conventional milk simply cannot compare to the experience of drinking raw milk. Raw milk is a living food that contains beneficial bacteria, enzymes, immunoglobulins, and vitamins that are not present in pasteurized milk! Many vitamins are destroyed by heat, which is why some milk has been fortified with synthetic vitamins. Raw milk is excellent for digestion, as it contains protease enzyme, which aids in the digestion of proteins, and lipase enzyme, which aids in digestion of fats. Our raw milk is certified organic and 100% grass fed!
Concerned about the safety of raw milk? Chris Kresser of the Functional Medicine Institute has done an excellent series that dives deep into the safety data on raw milk. Educate yourself about the risks, you’ll be surprised how safe it is.
2. Add egg yolks
Raw egg yolks are deliciously creamy and surprisingly versatile. Add an organic, pastured egg yolk to your warm oatmeal, fruit and raw milk smoothie, or whipped into coffee for extra protein and fat-soluble vitamins. Yolky coffee tastes like cream in coffee, try it with maple syrup for a delightful morning drink!
3. Consider raw beef liver
Many cultures consume meat and organ meats raw or very lightly cooked. Consider the classic French beef tartare or the Italian beef carpaccio. Raw meat, when well sourced and frozen for at least 14 days, can be a healthful addition. Raw beef liver has become infamous in the alternative health world for providing energy (from a plethora of water soluble B vitamins). The primary ways to eat raw beef liver include doing raw liver shots (chopping up into pill size and swallowing), adding the liver to a smoothie, or grating frozen liver onto oatmeal, scrambled eggs, or other savory dishes. The Weston A. Price foundation has more information about consuming raw beef liver.
When it comes to eating raw meat, it’s important to do your own research to understand the risks and safe handling procedures to make the best decision for you.
Eating raw animal products is one of many ways we can re-wild ourselves and return to the traditions of our ancestors. Drinking raw milk may be the easiest and arguably most enjoyable way to incorporate raw animal foods into our daily lives.
