I'm currently at the “Food & Health as Evolution Intended” Seminar in Sydney. Nora Gedgaudas is the main speaker and has just finished her first two lectures on “Diet and Evolution” and “Fats and Carbohydrates”. After first hearing Gedgaudas at the AHS, it's great to hear a lot more depth on these topics!
The lecture theatre is full of paleo curious Australians, the menu is provided by an organic paleo friendly restaurant – it's going to be a great day!
I'll post a full report about the day tomorrow!
Who Is Nora Gedgaudas?
Nora Gedgaudas is widely recognised in the ancestral health community as one of the leading voices in the space of evolutionary nutrition, neurobiology, and metabolic health. Based in the US, she is best known as the author of Primal Body, Primal Mind, a foundational book that delves into the role of fats, proteins, and carbohydrate restriction in supporting optimal health and brain function.
What sets Nora apart from many other Paleo speakers is her background in neurofeedback therapy and clinical nutrition, giving her a uniquely holistic and deeply researched perspective. Rather than just focusing on food as fuel, she frames nutrition as an integral driver of mental clarity, emotional resilience, and long-term well-being.
What the Seminar Covered
The Sydney seminar was titled “Food & Health as Evolution Intended” – a nod to the evolutionary biology that underpins the entire Paleo approach. The first two sessions of the day focused on:
1. Diet and Evolution
This talk explored how our modern food environment is starkly mismatched with the genetic blueprint shaped by millions of years of evolutionary pressure. Nora broke down the pitfalls of the modern industrialised food supply – from excess processed carbohydrates and inflammatory seed oils to the demonisation of dietary fat.
She challenged the outdated notions of the “balanced diet” that include whole grains and skim milk, making a compelling case that these foods are a recent – and biologically inappropriate – addition to our plate. Nora argued that understanding the evolutionary context of food isn't just theoretical – it’s key to reversing the epidemic of chronic disease and mental health issues.
2. Fats and Carbohydrates
The second lecture dove into the specifics of dietary fats and carbohydrates. Nora emphasised the crucial role of dietary fat in cognitive function, hormone production, and cellular health. Far from being the enemy, she explained, healthy fats (especially saturated fats from animal sources and monounsaturated fats from foods like avocado) are foundational to optimal health.
She contrasted this with the overconsumption of carbohydrates in the modern diet, particularly those from grains and sugar. Her position is that most people are far better off relying on fat for fuel (becoming fat-adapted), rather than depending on quick-burning glucose.
She also discussed the effects of blood sugar swings on mood, mental performance, and long-term disease risk. Her view is unapologetically pro-fat, pro-protein, and very cautious about carbohydrate intake – especially for those with metabolic issues or neurological concerns.
The Paleo Movement in Australia
Having an international speaker like Nora Gedgaudas in Sydney speaks volumes about the growing traction the Paleo movement is gaining in Australia. Just a few years ago, the word “Paleo” was rarely heard outside of fitness circles or alternative health forums. Now, we’re seeing packed lecture halls, community meetups, and more local authors and practitioners getting involved.
In many ways, the movement here mirrors what happened in the US a decade ago – people fed up with standard dietary advice, frustrated by persistent health issues, and willing to try a radically different approach grounded in ancestral wisdom.
It’s also clear from the event that Australians are hungry for deeper, science-backed education about nutrition. With so much conflicting information in the mainstream, events like this help people connect the dots and feel empowered to make their own decisions about what they eat – rather than blindly following food pyramids or government guidelines.
A Paleo-Friendly Event – Right Down to the Menu
One thing that stood out was the catering — how often do you go to a seminar and find yourself choosing between grass-fed beef, seasonal roasted veggies, and coconut-oil-roasted sweet potatoes?
The menu was supplied by an organic, Paleo-friendly provider and perfectly aligned with the values discussed from the stage. No sugary muffins. No gluten-laden wraps. No soft drinks or artificial juices. Just real food that kept everyone energised and focused throughout the event.
It really highlights the point that Paleo isn’t just a theoretical diet or a temporary detox. It’s a sustainable, real-world approach to living and eating – and it’s being embraced in more places than you might think.
Why This Event Matters
When someone like Nora Gedgaudas comes to speak in Australia, it’s not just about a one-day seminar — it’s a signal that the conversation around health is changing. That more and more people are starting to question the status quo. That maybe margarine isn’t better than butter. That maybe breakfast cereals aren’t the health food they claim to be. That perhaps we’ve been sold the wrong story about fat, cholesterol, and what it means to be healthy.
The paleo movement isn’t just about what’s on your plate — it’s about critical thinking, self-experimentation, and reconnecting with the rhythms and instincts our bodies evolved to follow.
What Nora Taught Me
Hearing Nora speak again (having first seen her at AHS), I walked away with several key takeaways:
- Never underestimate the power of fat – especially animal fat from quality sources. It supports hormones, brain health, and metabolism.
- “Calories in, calories out” is overly simplistic – hormones, micronutrients, and inflammation all play a role in how the body manages energy.
- We are not broken; we are mismatched – our bodies are responding exactly as expected to a toxic food environment they were never designed for.
- Resilience is built through simplicity – by stripping away modern food and lifestyle noise, we allow the body to do what it’s always done best: survive and thrive.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re new to Nora Gedgaudas or just want to explore more of what she covers, I highly recommend the following resources:
- Primal Body, Primal Mind (her bestselling book)
- Her talk on “Optimising Brain Function Through Diet” (available online)
- Her more recent work around ketogenic nutrition and neurobiology
Final Thoughts
Events like these are a rare opportunity to deep dive into the “why” behind the Paleo lifestyle. They remind us that we’re not weird for questioning modern food, and that yes – it’s totally okay to prefer butter over canola oil and bacon over cereal.
I’ll be posting a full write-up tomorrow with notes from the rest of the day, but in the meantime I’d love to hear:
- Have you ever seen Nora speak?
- What’s the best health event you’ve ever attended?
- Do you think there’s a future for more Paleo-focused events across Australia?
Let me know in the comments – and if you attended the seminar too, I’d love to compare notes!
