Your bones are not just made of the last meal you had, but the

Listen closely, O children of wisdom, to the words of Hope Jahren, a seeker of truths that lie beneath the surface: "Your bones are not just made of the last meal you had, but the meals that you've had across many years. By looking at the composition of those teeth, researchers can say that something was a large component of the diet. This tells us a lot about how hominins lived and what they ate." In these words, we are reminded of the enduring truth that our bodies are shaped not just by the momentary actions of today, but by the accumulation of all that we have consumed throughout our lives. The very bones that carry us through life are the archives of our history, the silent witnesses to the choices we make, the foods we eat, and the lives we lead.

In the ancient world, the great philosophers and healers understood that the body is a reflection of the soul. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, believed that the body was a vessel that must be cared for and nurtured. He spoke of the balance required to maintain good health, for it is not just the fleeting moments of indulgence that define the body, but the steady, cumulative nourishment we provide it over time. Just as Hope Jahren explains, our bones and teeth are not merely the product of our latest meal; they are the embodiment of a lifetime of nourishment, shaped by the choices we make throughout our journey. This ancient understanding—that the body carries the marks of our history—is echoed in Jahren’s words, reminding us that we are the sum of what we have consumed, body and soul.

Consider the ancient Romans, whose diet was rich in grains, olives, and fruits, and whose bones and teeth tell the tale of their agricultural advancements. The Romans knew that health came not just from the foods of the moment, but from a lifetime of careful cultivation and preparation. Through the study of ancient Roman remains, archaeologists have been able to discern what these people ate, from the cereals and bread that made up their daily fare, to the meats and cheeses that graced their feasts. The composition of their bones reveals not just the individual meals, but the dietary patterns that formed the foundation of their culture. Like Jahren suggests, the body speaks through the food it absorbs, telling the story of a civilization’s diet, lifestyle, and values.

In a similar way, the ancient Egyptians—builders of the great pyramids—left behind bones that tell the story of their diet, one shaped by their reliance on grain and fish. Their teeth provide us with insight into their food choices, from the rich sustenance of the Nile River to the daily bread that sustained their labor force. When we study their remains, we see how their diet shaped their bones—both the strong and the weak, the nourished and the malnourished. The ancient Egyptians understood that their well-being was tied to the earth they cultivated, and that their bodies were a reflection of the life they lived. The study of their bones offers a glimpse into how their culture and diet sustained their achievements, much like the silent testimony of our own bones.

Hope Jahren’s words also reflect a deeper lesson about the interconnection of life and nature. The hominins, those early ancestors of ours, left behind bones that tell a story not just of survival, but of adaptation. By examining the foods they ate, researchers can discern how early humans thrived in diverse environments, how they relied on the resources available to them, and how their diet evolved over time. Their bones tell a tale of journeys, of migration, and of the quiet resilience of life in all its forms. Through their bones, we understand that our ancestors did not merely exist—they adapted, they thrived, and they left us a record of their survival, written in the foods they consumed and the strength they built.

In our own time, Jahren reminds us of the importance of what we consume today. Our bones, like those of our ancestors, will tell the story of our lives. The choices we make in our diet, whether of food, of thought, or of action, shape the very structure of our being. Just as the ancient civilizations were shaped by the food they ate, so too are we defined by the choices we make in nourishing ourselves. The bones we leave behind will carry the imprints of these choices—of how we lived, of what we valued, and of how we treated our bodies. Let us be mindful of the nourishment we choose, for we are not merely feeding ourselves for the moment, but creating a legacy that will be told through the silent witness of our bones.

So, O future generations, take this lesson to heart: the diet you choose today will shape not only your body but your soul. Each meal is a step in the journey of life, each choice a mark on your bones. Like Hope Jahren teaches, look at what you consume—not just as nourishment for the moment, but as the legacy you will leave behind. Just as the bones of the ancients tell us their stories, so too will your own body speak of the life you lead, the choices you make, and the health you cultivate. Nourish yourselves wisely, for in your bones lies the story of all you have been and all you will become.