Ancestral Superfoods: Timeless Nourishment for a Modern Life
There is something deeply comforting about returning to the foods that nourished the generations before us. Long before trends and supplements, people relied on simple ingredients that were rich in natural vitamins minerals and life giving energy. These foods were prepared with intention and enjoyed in a way that honoured both the land and the body.
Today there is a growing appreciation for this way of eating once again. It feels familiar and grounding and it brings us back to a slower and more mindful rhythm. Below are some of the most powerful ancestral superfoods and the reasons they continue to matter in our modern world.
Liver:
Liver has been treasured in many cultures for centuries. It is often called nature’s multivitamin because it contains an extraordinary amount of bioavailable vitamin A, vitamin B12, folate and iron. These nutrients support energy production, skin health, hormonal balance and overall vitality.
In the past, families often enjoyed liver once a week whether in the form of a simple pan fry or a luxurious pate. A small amount goes a long way and it remains one of the most concentrated sources of essential nutrients available. These days we have the luxury of encapsulated organ meats, like Higher Healths Liver Capsules, which offer convenience, compliance and effortless daily use.
Eggs:
Though modest in size, an egg holds all the building blocks for new life and its nutritional power reflects that. Eggs offer high quality protein, healthy fats, choline and important minerals that support brain health, metabolism and cellular repair.
Generations before us understood the value of a morning meal built on eggs gathered from pasture raised hens. There was no fear of the golden yolk. It was seen as the most valuable part and rightly so.
Grass Fed Tallow:
We absolutely had to include this one in the list. Tallow is one of the most time honoured ingredients in traditional cooking. It is rich in fat soluble vitamins including A, D, E and K and it remains remarkably stable during heating (400F/204C). This makes it ideal for high temperature cooking, baking and everything in between.
Tallow is a deeply nourishing superfood that supports both simplicity, versatility and whole body goodness, from frying potatoes to moisturizing skin. Our very own cooking tallow is on the way but until then we invite you to browse our complete tallow skincare line.
Bone Broth:
Bone broth is the essence of traditional cooking. Long simmering draws out collagen, gelatin, amino acids and minerals in a way that quick cooking cannot achieve. It supports joint health, digestion and a sense of warmth from the inside out.
Historically bone broth was a daily staple because nothing was wasted. Every part of the animal served a purpose and the resulting broth was both nourishing and deeply comforting.
Fermented Foods:
The original source of natural probiotics. Before refrigeration people relied on fermentation as a way to preserve and enhance food. This ancient practice created foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi and kombucha. These ingredients support a balanced gut and a resilient immune system.
Fermented foods carry the wisdom of a slower time when food preparation was a daily ritual rather than a chore.
Wild Caught Fish:
For generations, communities around the world relied on wild caught fish as a primary source of nourishment. These foods are rich in essential omega three fatty acids along with vitamin D, protein and trace minerals.
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies and sardines were especially treasured because they provided steady strength through long seasons and changing climates. They were preserved through drying, smoking and salting and were considered staples in many ancestral diets.
A Return to Simple and Time Honoured Nourishment
Ancestral superfoods remind us that the most powerful forms of nourishment are often the simplest. These foods supported the generations before us and they can support us just as beautifully today.
