Addressing The Native American Nutrition Gap Through Old-School Ways Of Eating

Indigenous Americans have long faced a disparity in the quality of nutrition when compared to other citizens of North America. A 2019 study published by Oxford Academic highlighted this: good nutrition, or a deficiency thereof, is linked to higher incidence rates of diabetes, cancer and heart disease in Native American populations. There are numerous social and historical causes for this, but in the modern day, there are ways to help prevent poor nutrition and ensure that both current and future generations of indigenous American peoples are able to enjoy the best quality of life while protecting their natural environment.

Benefiting from keto

One potential way to ensure good nutrition is through the keto diet. This is something of a modern food trend that has captured the attention of Americans looking to continue enjoy meat and fatty foods while protecting their health, and an increasing number of people are now learning how to integrate it into family life. Keto works by minimizing the intake of carbohydrates, and it benefits health through maximizing good proteins and prioritizing the use of vegetables in cooking – including as a carbohydrate replacement. Studies of the impacts of keto diets have yielded positive results, including in American indigenous populations. In particular, native Americans living in colder climates have exhibited higher levels of proteins and amino acids that are positive to overall health and physical resilience, according to the BMJ. Of course, the keto diet is nothing new to indigenous American communities – it is simply a re-branding.

A diet to stand the test of time

Cuisine magazine Bon Appetit highlighted the healthy and delicious nature of many Native American diets and how they they have underpinned healthy eating for hundreds of years. Focusing on the use of corn, poached eggs, and black beans, their highlight of a classic Sioux meal brings into focus how the indigenous American family can eat healthily – and even inspire other American families. The influence of modern mass-produced food, cheap and plentiful, has arguably taken indigenous families away from the root of their eating habits and created unhealthiness.

A wide appeal

As one study published by the Journal of Ethnic Foods outlines, the Native American food-eating tradition is actually one shared by people all over the world. The natural history and movement of indigenous American populations spread these techniques, and has influenced far more cuisines than you might at first think. In many ways, getting a better diet is about going back to basics and looking at the origins of the many cuisines that call on native American techniques and spreads for their own craft. Look at simple proteins, stay away from sugars and simple carbs, and look to improve the quality of the proteins by prioritizing fresh, sustainably farmed meat, and sustainably farmed legumes and pulses.

Nutrition is undoubtedly a tricky subject for many Native Americans. Decades of poor food quality have seen overall health concerns on the rise. However, a glance to history shows the healthy and still-delicious way forward. The world owes a lot to Native American cuisine, and it’s arguably time to take a little back.

By Kylee Carter