If you have an interest in any of the paleo/slow carb/soylent/other-food-hack type blog posts, then you’re likely used to a format that includes some reference to white papers and “facts” that “prove” that the diet in question will have all kinds of benefits that are backed by science. The insinuation is that there should be no argument about the greatness of the diet, because the creators of it have done a better job than anyone else at interpreting all the data that has ever been collected on diets, and have a uniquely profound answer to the question of What Should We Eat?

I’m not going to attempt that.

I’m just suggesting a minor diet change for you that you can consider to test for yourself if you want. Do it in consultation with a doctor if you have any concerns. It’s my answer to the question of What is the Healthiest Possible Breakfast?

Some background on how I came up with this recipe (skip to the end if you just want the recipe):

I read Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World which made me rethink my opinions about dairy. They ate plenty of it and according to some researchers their diet was a unique factor in their physical strength and ability to win battles[1]. From the book:

The Chinese noted with surprise and disgust the ability of the Mongol warriors to survive on little food and water for long periods; according to one, the entire army could camp without a single puff of smoke since they needed no fires to cook. Compared to the Jurched soldiers, the Mongols were much healthier and stronger. The Mongols consumed a steady diet of meat, milk, yogurt, and other diary products, and they fought men who lived on gruel made from various grains. The grain diet of the peasant warriors stunted their bones, rotted their teeth, and left them weak and prone to disease. In contrast, the poorest Mongol soldier ate mostly protein, thereby giving him strong teeth and bones. Unlike the Jurched soldiers, who were dependent on a heavy carbohydrate diet, the Mongols could more easily go a day or two without food.

In the past I have enjoyed experimenting with juicing and juice fasts because of increased energy levels and a sense of health and well being. The problem I found with juicing was that, unless you’re doing an actual fast, it doesn’t really solve the problem of where to get calories. It’s only a compliment to whatever existing (and probably less than ideal) diet you’re living on.

Finally, my doctor recently questioned my cholesterol levels and suggested I try a diet with more “rabbit” food.

So why not experiment with foods inspired by what the Mongols ate, includes lots of vegetables, and that “plays nice” with the standard advice you’d get from any doctor’s office about reducing saturated fats, eating more vegetables, etc.

With that in mind, I iterated my way into a unique breakfast salad which I now eat daily for my morning meal and have been raving about to anyone who would listen. (This post in particular goes out to Cathy at Wholefoods and my friend Kuni who seemed particularly interested in it).