Origin ofHumanDiets

Study of earlyprimate diets

Humans are highlydeveloped primates

Shared evolutionary history

Prepared by:Alana L. Jolley

Professor ofAnthropology

itsallaboutculture.com

Table of Contents Humans Resemble Other Primates:

Morphology Night Vision Hands & feet Locomotion Movement Hearing & smell Large Brains Energy foods SociabilityEarly primate diets anddietary preferences

Locations and resourcesfor acquiring food

Dietary preferencesFood tastes/acceptability

Entomology and foodchoices

Food and consequences

Early Primate DietsEarly Primate Diets

Why study early primate diets?Why study early primate diets?

Primates are the most common of living mammalsPrimates are the most common of living mammals

Humans are highly developed primates Humans are highly developed primates So are chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans (non-human)So are chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans (non-human)

We have shared evolutionary history with primates We have shared evolutionary history with primates

Strategies for Acquiring FoodStrategies for Acquiring Food

Some primates are frugivores (fruit-eating)Some primates are frugivores (fruit-eating)

Some are folivores (leaf-eating)Some are folivores (leaf-eating)

Some are insectivores Some are insectivores

(insects/animal matter, small frogs, bugs)(insects/animal matter, small frogs, bugs)

Food ChoicesFood Choices

A few primates are carnivores – meat eating occasionally A few primates are carnivores – meat eating occasionally Not true carnivores like lions, or eagles.Not true carnivores like lions, or eagles.

Some primates are omnivores (eat meats & vegetables)Some primates are omnivores (eat meats & vegetables)

Humans are omnivoresHumans are omnivores: meaning they may eat any : meaning they may eat any kind of food, both animal and vegetable kind of food, both animal and vegetable

Humans are also primates Humans are also primates

What is an Omnivore?What is an Omnivore?

Pigs, rats, cockroaches; all are Omnivores! But they Pigs, rats, cockroaches; all are Omnivores! But they are not primatesare not primates

Omnivores eat a variety of foodsOmnivores eat a variety of foods Human diet is small compared to what could be eatenHuman diet is small compared to what could be eaten Some people eat/drink what others would not eat or Some people eat/drink what others would not eat or

drink – why?drink – why? Because food choices depend on: culture, genetics, Because food choices depend on: culture, genetics,

environment, nutrition, and taste . . .environment, nutrition, and taste . . .

Human Digestion DiagramHuman Digestion Diagram

Digestion begins in the mouth.

Non-Human PrimatesNon-Human PrimatesDigestive Systems DifferDigestive Systems Differ

Digestive systems are guides to what should be eaten or not eaten.

Where do we Forage?Where do we Forage?

Foraging VariablesForaging Variables

Where do we Forage?Where do we Forage?

In the Forest?

Where do we Forage?Where do we Forage?

On the Mountainous Savannah?

Where do we Forage?Where do we Forage?

In the Desert?

Where do we Forage?Where do we Forage?

In Green Valleys?

Where do we Forage?Where do we Forage?

In Supermarkets?

Is there competition in Foraging?Is there competition in Foraging?

EntomologyEntomology

Humans may eat insects, too Humans may eat insects, too

Many ways to be served!Many ways to be served!

Toasted TermitesToasted Termites

Roasted GrasshoppersRoasted Grasshoppers

Live Stinkbug QuesadillasLive Stinkbug Quesadillas

Some parts of Mexico

ParaguayParaguay

Guarani Indians often incorporate palm worms, which are a Guarani Indians often incorporate palm worms, which are a kind of beetle larvae, into their diet.kind of beetle larvae, into their diet.

Question?Question?

How did we get from there?

To there

Plant-based diet

Fast foods-saturated fats/transfats

Summary of Diet EvolutionSummary of Diet Evolution

Food Foraging and ScavengingFood Foraging and Scavenging Hunting and GatheringHunting and Gathering HorticultureHorticulture Agriculture/domestication of animalsAgriculture/domestication of animals Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution Technological RevolutionTechnological Revolution

TransportationTransportation Manufacturing, Refinement, ChemicalizationManufacturing, Refinement, Chemicalization

Human FoodHuman Food& Consequences& Consequences

Little resemblance to plant-based diets of ancestors.Little resemblance to plant-based diets of ancestors.

Many health problems, in advanced nations, are diet-related.Many health problems, in advanced nations, are diet-related.

TodayToday’’s diets and the diets, which we became adapted to over s diets and the diets, which we became adapted to over a long period of time, are a mismatch.a long period of time, are a mismatch.

We have plenty of energy-dense foods, but a poverty of We have plenty of energy-dense foods, but a poverty of nutrients - due to refinement and chemicalization.nutrients - due to refinement and chemicalization.

From the CanopyFrom the Canopyto the Golden Archesto the Golden Arches

Primate ancestors were partially omnivorous – Primate ancestors were partially omnivorous – supplementedsupplemented diet with insects.diet with insects.

Primates became fully omnivorous.Primates became fully omnivorous. Adapting to omnivore diet caused changes in digestive Adapting to omnivore diet caused changes in digestive

strategies.strategies.

Evolution of larger body, bigger brain, and behavioral traitsEvolution of larger body, bigger brain, and behavioral traits

More nutrients are necessary with a bigger body.More nutrients are necessary with a bigger body. Where do we go from here?Where do we go from here?