Podcast Summary
Liz Wolf shares insights on debunking food myths and reclaiming health: Liz Wolf's book 'Eat the Yolks' debunks common food myths and promotes understanding of the importance of nutrition for optimal health and sustainability.
In this episode of the School of Greatness, Lewis Howes welcomes his high school friend Liz Wolf as a guest. Liz is an author of a new book called "Eat the Yolks," where she discusses the importance of nutrition and debunking food myths to reclaim your health. They reminisced about their high school days and how they reconnected three years ago at the CrossFit Games. Liz's book, Eat the Yolks, covers various food myths related to Paleo, cholesterol, sugar, and dairy, among others. She practices what she preaches by living sustainably on a farm with chickens, cows, pigs, and planting her own crops. The conversation provides valuable insights into understanding the importance of what we put in our bodies to achieve greatness and make a positive impact on the world.
Discovering Paleo through CrossFit and a Book: Find joy in eating real, whole foods like properly raised meats, veggies, fruits, and whole grains while debunking dietary hype and propaganda.
The speaker's introduction to the paleo lifestyle came from his experience at the CrossFit Games and a chance encounter with the author of a forthcoming book on the subject. The speaker found the book to be both hilarious and informative, and he appreciated the author's perspective on paleo as a way of eating real, whole foods and eliminating processed foods marketed as health food. The speaker also emphasized the importance of not getting too bogged down in rules and finding joy in the process. The speaker's own approach to paleo is to focus on properly raised meats, veggies, fruits, and whole real foods, rather than getting too caught up in specific rules or measurements. The speaker found the author's upcoming book to be a valuable resource for debunking dietary hype and propaganda and embracing a healthier way of eating.
Finding a balanced approach to food and health: Embrace a personalized approach to food and health, focusing on complete proteins and sustainable production, while avoiding unnecessary stress
Everyone's relationship with food and health is unique, and what brings joy and sustenance to one person may not be the same for another. Stressing over food choices can actually harm our health more than the food itself. It's essential to find a balanced approach that works for us, whether that's a plant-based diet, a more relaxed attitude towards food, or something in between. The book discussed in the interview debunks various dietary myths and emphasizes the importance of complete proteins, not just from an amino acid standpoint but also considering the ethical and sustainable production of animal foods. Ultimately, the goal is to find a way of eating that supports our overall health and happiness without causing unnecessary stress.
The importance of quality animal products: Animal products provide dense nutrients like fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and B12. Ethical and sustainable farming practices are crucial for their production.
Prioritizing quality animal products is important due to their dense nutrient content, including fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and B12. The speaker acknowledges the health and vitality of vegans, but emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of animal food as a valuable source of sustenance. The speaker advocates for ethical and sustainable farming practices, and the importance of understanding the animal's living conditions and treatment. The speaker's personal journey towards raising his own animals and plants aims for self-sustainability and respect for the natural cycle of life and death.
The Importance of Grass-Fed, Sustainably Raised Meat and Butter: Grass-fed, sustainably raised meat and butter from ruminant animals contribute to human nutrition and a sustainable food system, as they provide nutrient-rich meat, help manage land, and are better for both our health and the environment.
Consuming grass-fed, sustainably raised meat, particularly ruminant meats like bison and cows, is important for human nutrition and can be part of a sustainable food system. These animals are meant to eat grass, not corn or soy, and when they do, they provide nutrient-rich meat and help manage land by eating weeds and recycling nutrients back into the soil. Additionally, butter from appropriately raised animals is a nutrient-dense food and should not be avoided. The industrialization of agriculture, which led to the widespread use of corn and soy in animal feed, was facilitated by the byproducts of margarine production. So, buying grass-fed, sustainably raised meat and butter is not only better for our health but also for the environment.
Understanding individual nutritional needs and exploring alternatives to dairy: Butter is a nutritious food, but not suitable for everyone due to dairy intolerances or allergies. Consider alternatives like ghee or egg yolk-based substitutes for similar benefits.
While butter is a nutritious and historically significant food source, it may not be suitable for everyone due to dairy intolerances or allergies. For those individuals, alternatives like ghee or butter substitutes from egg yolks can provide similar nutritional benefits. Dairy has a long history in human diets, particularly in the form of milk from domesticated animals, but its suitability varies from person to person. The paleo community, which advocates for ancestral eating, continues to evolve and expand our understanding of appropriate foods and individual tolerances. Conventional dairy can be inflammatory for many people, and removing it from one's diet may lead to improved health. The ongoing conversation within the paleo community emphasizes the importance of understanding individual nutritional needs and experimenting with various food sources to determine what works best for each person.
Focusing on Whole Foods and Awareness of Food Sources for Optimal Health: Embrace whole foods for optimal health and be mindful of their source, cutting out processed foods including dairy, gluten, and sugar for better wellbeing.
Focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods and being aware of where our food comes from is essential for maintaining good health. The discussion highlighted examples of profound health transformations, such as those seen in the "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" documentary and the Paleo community. The importance of cutting out processed foods, including dairy and gluten, was emphasized. However, it's important to note that everyone's body reacts differently to different foods, and some may not tolerate certain foods, even if they're from healthy sources. The speaker also mentioned the importance of being mindful of the treatment of animals and avoiding GMO foods. The vegan diet, while it can be based on gluten and soy, there are plenty of vegans who avoid processed foods and focus on whole foods. The speaker shared personal experiences of cutting out sugar and gluten and the positive effects it had on their health. Overall, the key takeaway is to focus on whole foods and be aware of their source for optimal health.
Gluten's Impact on Health: Personal Experience and Potential Effects: Gluten can cause health issues by affecting gut chemistry and allowing foreign proteins to enter. Ignoring food sensitivities or intolerances in adolescents can lead to symptoms often attributed to puberty.
Gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains, can have negative effects on some people's bodies. The speaker shared a personal experience of feeling sick after consuming gluten and how it might have contributed to feelings of exhaustion during his high school and college athletic days. Gluten has the ability to act on a chemical in the gut called zonulin, which can open up spaces between gut cells and allow foreign proteins to enter. This can potentially lead to various health issues. The speaker also reflected on how food, including gluten, can be overlooked as a cause of health problems in adolescents, who may exhibit symptoms like tiredness, mood swings, and acne, which are often attributed to puberty. Overall, the speaker emphasized the importance of being aware of how food affects individual bodies and considering potential food sensitivities or intolerances.
Eliminating processed foods can lead to gut healing and improved health: Eliminating processed foods, including sugar, can lead to weight loss, increased energy, and potential symptom improvement for those with celiac disease. However, everyone's body responds differently to different foods.
Eliminating processed foods, including sugar, can lead to gut healing and improved health. This was shared by the speaker, who had personally experienced significant weight loss and increased energy after giving up sugar and adopting a diet focused on whole, real foods. The speaker also noted that some individuals with celiac disease had seen improvements in their symptoms when they eliminated gluten and other processed foods. However, it's important to note that everyone's body responds differently to different foods, and what works for one person may not work for another. The speaker also touched on the topic of sugar, explaining that while all carbohydrates provide energy, refined sugars and flours can be inflammatory and deplete the body of essential nutrients. The speaker also mentioned colonics as a potential LA trend, but expressed uncertainty about their effectiveness and preferred the less invasive option of enemas as part of holistic cancer treatments.
The importance of regular bowel movements for overall health: Regular bowel movements are crucial for optimal health. Individual food intolerances and dietary habits can impact frequency and urgency. Tools like the squatty potty can help improve elimination.
Maintaining proper motility, or regular bowel movements, is essential for overall health and well-being. This topic was discussed in depth during the conversation, with the importance of pooping regularly being compared to a report card for the food we consume. The urgency and frequency of bowel movements can vary depending on individual food intolerances and dietary habits. For instance, some people may need to go after every meal, while others may only need to go once a day. The use of tools like the squatty potty can help improve elimination by bringing the body into a more anatomically correct position. Overall, the conversation emphasized the significance of paying attention to our bodies and making necessary adjustments to ensure regularity and promote optimal health. Additionally, Liz's book "Eat the Yolks" covers a wide range of topics related to nutrition, offering valuable information and insights on various vitamins, minerals, and food choices.
Focus on whole foods and their source: Embrace real food, prioritize whole ingredients, and be patient in your journey to better nutrition. For convenience, consider delivery services like Pete's Paleo.
Real food and a connection to the source of that food is essential for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. The guest, Liz, embodies this philosophy through her farm life and the writing of her book, "Eat the Yolks." She encourages listeners to focus on whole foods with minimal processing and to be patient with themselves in their journey towards better nutrition. For those constantly on the go, she suggests looking into delivery services like Pete's Paleo for convenient, whole food options. Ultimately, the goal is to fuel our bodies with real food from the start of the day to optimize energy and overall well-being.
Ancient civilizations faced similar health issues: Excessive consumption of refined foods leads to poor health and nutrient deficiencies, as evidenced by ancient civilizations like the Permians who experienced tooth decay.
The excessive consumption of refined foods like white flour and sugar, common in modern civilization, contributes to poor health and nutrient deficiencies. This issue is not unique to us, as even permits (ancient civilizations) that adopted similar diets experienced tooth decay. From my research on various permits around the world, I've learned valuable wisdom that can help us achieve stronger, healthier bodies with fewer diseases. By embracing their accumulated knowledge, we can make more informed food choices and reap the benefits of a more balanced diet.
