I Took A DNA Test And It Changed How I Eat Forever

How My 23&Me Results Solved My Bloating, Fixed My Energy, and Made Me Stop Guessing What Foods Work For My Body

I Can’t Take Another Diet Anymore

Not another person recommending more superfoods.

Not another doctor prescribing more supplements.

Not another shock when I look into my bank account and realize all my savings have been spent on things to try and make me healthy.

Why does it have to be so hard?

I hear stories about grandparents and older people, and all they had to do was be themselves and they were thriving. Why do I have to eat all these crazy diets and do so much just to feel good?

For years, I’ve tried loads of diets to understand what my body liked best—from carnivore diet, keto diet, alkaline diet, paleo diet, and a whole bunch of others in between.

I was always so confused, and my body never responded as well as I thought it would. If I heard something online, I would jump on it immediately because it was supposedly the holy grail, but it never worked.

But after years of researching and trying all of this, I came to a simple conclusion: what if true health—the kind that makes us thrive—is just being as close to our ancestry as possible?

What if it means eating, being, and acting as close to ourselves as we possibly can?

The Science Behind Eating For Your DNA

When my ancestry results came back, they were surprisingly specific: 50% Greek, 50% Croatian.

Two Mediterranean populations separated by the Adriatic Sea, yet united by the same foods.

Olive groves, fresh seafood, and lots of bread. Bread!

But why does this matter? Why should eating like my ancestors make any difference to my health today?

Weston A. Price’s Revolutionary Discovery

In the 1930s, a dentist named Weston A. Price did something revolutionary: For 10 years he traveled all the world documenting the healthiest populations on Earth.

From African tribes to Inuit populations and even Swiss alpine communities, he interviewed the civilians, monitored their health, and observed what they ate.

And it was amazing because it contradicts what we assume today.

There is not a single “one size fits all” diet.

Every community was eating different foods, yet they were all incredibly healthy, showing virtually no signs of any chronic disease.

What Happens When We Abandon Ancestral Diets

Price also observed something interesting.

Most of these communities were distant from industry and city life. So when “city” people came to their villages, they often brought what you could consider Western Diet food: canned foods, processed meals, etc.

And what did he observe?

Once they started adopting these patterns, they started experiencing the same diseases we face today.

Your DNA Has Food Preferences (Yes, Really)

This is the science of epigenetics and nutrigenomics and everything in between.

Your DNA has on and off switches that are determined by your environment. Your environment includes the foods you eat, the lifestyle you live, the toxins you’re exposed to, etc.

So when we have genes that thrive on specific foods and a way of living, and then you go the opposite direction, they start acting out.

And based on where you’re from and the regions—tropical, northern, southern, you have different genetic variations that determine how your body processes food.

AMY1 Gene (Starch Digestion)

This gene controls how efficiently you digest starches.

Populations near the equator—tropical regions with year-round access to starchy plants—tend to have 6-8 copies of this gene. Arctic populations only have 2-4 copies.

This explains why some people thrive on sweet potatoes and rice, while others feel better on lower-carb diets.

Lactase Persistence (LCT Gene - Dairy Digestion)

About 65% of the global population loses the ability to digest lactose after infancy.

But Northern European, some African, and certain Middle Eastern populations developed lactase persistence due to thousands of years of dairy farming.

My Irish roommate used to do GOMAD (gallon of milk a day) to gain weight, and he thrived on it—built a ton of muscle.

I tried it for about a week and had the worst stomach pain of my life. I felt bloated like a cow on growth hormones.

My Personal Journey to Ancestral Eating

So after learning all this, I was convinced.

My genes held the blueprint for what I should be eating and, frankly, how I should be moving, working, and being in general.

But in order to do anything, I had to have some resources and a decent outline of how to even start. I needed a practical plan—not just theory.

Here’s the step-by-step process I followed (and you can too):

Step 1: Determine Your Genetic Lineage

Start with an ancestry DNA test to identify your genetic heritage.

While privacy concerns are valid (and yes, there have been data security questions), these tests provide invaluable insights into your ancestral geographic origins.

You can also just ask your parents or close relatives about where you’re from—the countries and specific regions.

Recommended testing companies:

• AncestryDNA: Most comprehensive ethnicity estimates and largest database for genealogy research

• 23andMe: Includes health predisposition reports and trait analysis (APOE4 status, lactose intolerance, etc.)

• Living DNA: Detailed regional breakdowns within countries

What you’ll discover: Your genetic makeup likely reflects multiple geographic regions.This is important because diet changes by the region. People in Sardinia, Italy eat lots of meat, while people in Sicily eat lots of eggplant.

Nice science break for a pretty photo of Italy:)

Step 2: Research What Your Ancestors Ate

Once you know your genetic lineage, investigate what your ancestors and heritage ate traditionally.

You can find this through a couple of resources:

• Weston A. Price Foundation (westonaprice.org): Comprehensive traditional foods database organized by culture

• Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon: Has numerous cultural dishes in there—a very traditional, amazing cookbook

• Grandparents, cousins, any family members who you have a connection with!

For my Greek/Croatian heritage, I discovered:

• Heavy emphasis on olive oil, wild-caught fish, and seasonal vegetables

• Fermented dairy (yogurt, kefir, aged cheeses)

• Whole grains (not refined): barley, farro, ancient wheat varieties

• Limited but nutrient-dense sweets: honey, figs, dates, grapes

Step 3: Build Your Personalized Food Framework

1. Core proteins: What animal proteins did your ancestors prioritize? (Fish, poultry, ruminant meats, wild game)

2. Primary fats: Traditional fat sources from your heritage (olive oil, butter, ghee, coconut oil, animal fats)

3. Carbohydrate sources: Seasonal, minimally processed options your ancestors ate (root vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits)

4. Fermented foods: Culture-specific probiotics (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, etc.)

5. Seasonal vegetables: What grows locally during each season

6. Herbs and spices: Traditional seasonings from your culture (oregano, dill, garlic, paprika, etc.)

Me, eating some traditional foods, and writing Biohack with Jack!

Step 4: Get Advanced Genetic Insights

These are some of the sites that provide pretty cool insights.

Once you take a DNA test, you give them the data and then they analyze it and determine really cool metrics like whether you can drink lots of coffee or none at all. (This is determined through the CYP450 gene!) The more you know :)

Advanced genetic nutrition platforms:

• Nutrition Genome: Comprehensive analysis of genes affecting nutrient metabolism, including MTHFR, COMT, APOE, AMY1, and detoxification pathways. Provides personalized food recommendations based on 75+ genetic markers.

• StrateGene: Focuses on methylation, detoxification, and neurotransmitter pathways. Excellent for understanding how your genes influence response to specific nutrients and supplements.

Step 5: Test, Track, and Refine

Track these key indicators:

• Digestive comfort (no bloating, gas, or stomach pain after meals)

• Energy levels throughout the day

• Sleep quality and morning alertness

• Mental clarity and focus

• Mood stability

• Skin appearance and inflammation markers

• Physical performance and recovery

Step 6: Always Work With a Really Good Doctor

I always recommend working with a doctor while at the same time because we can eat as ancestrally as we want, but if we’re dealing with health conditions like SIBO, IBS, autoimmune issues, gut dysbiosis, fungal overgrowth, or environmental toxic load (mold exposure, heavy metals), then we aren’t thriving as best as we can.

So find a really good doctor and tell them about the cool biohacking you’re learning from Biohack With Jack!

Here are some really amazing platforms for finding doctors:

• Institute for Functional Medicine (ifm.org): Find certified functional medicine practitioners

• Dr.David Morcom (Integrative Wellness): My practitioner who helped me with my mold and candida issues.

• Kresser Institute: Find trained practitioners in ancestral health and integrative health

Your Invitation to Eat Like Your People

Here’s the beautiful truth: you don’t need another restrictive diet plan, another expensive supplement protocol, or another guru promising the “one true way” to eat.

What you need is already encoded in your DNA.

Start small:

• Get your DNA tested if you haven’t already, or learn from your family

• Research one traditional meal from your ancestral culture and make it this week

And remember: if you’re dealing with complex health challenges—autoimmune conditions, severe gut dysfunction, chronic illness, or metabolic disorders—please work with qualified practitioners.

The food on your plate is information. Make sure it’s speaking a language your body understands.

Want to connect? Drop a comment below sharing your ancestral heritage and what traditional foods you’re curious to explore.

I’d love to hear about your journey.

---

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare practitioners before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications.