Is there anyone out there that knows where I might find information about
foods native to Spain prehistorically?

My family is from there originally and as someone mentioned on this list some
time ago, perhaps it might be a good thing to try to mimic a diet that we
probably evolved from literally, assuming we know where we originated.

During my own research about this topic I learned that the Basque in Spain
are some of the oldest people known, similar to the Neanderthal's in France.
It is pure supposition on my part, and the fact that my family remembers no
other heritage, that I am believing my ancient roots to most probably be from
there.

I have also researched the present day diet(s) of Spain. If there are any
others here on the list that have Hispanic origins, you might find this
interesting. And since so much of the world was populated by the
Spanish....the odds are high....

They still eat primarily paleo foods, which some exceptions.  On the coast
you see primarily seafood, vegetables, nuts and some fruit.  Inland, it's
mostly pork, lamb, fowl and beef.  I think they're desserts are the most
telling, they use nuts a great deal,  almonds and walnuts mixed with honey
and fruits. They routinely have oranges, melons and grapes by themselves
(oranges by the way, are grown there year round, and considered almost a
requirement of good meal).

 What I think is most interesting about the desserts, is despite the advent
of heavy dessert foods like cakes, pies, ice creams etc that we are so
enamored to here in America, they don't consider those a mainstay of the
diet.  Yes, ofcourse, they will exist there, certainly we have all heard of
Flan, but this is again an egg dish made with relatively little sugar, and
milk, no flour. Bread is also used there now, but was not mentioned as a
traditional food.  Obviously the French have had an influence on the cuisine,
but surprisingly not a very big one. And ofcourse, olives are a big part of
their diet, their olive oil being some of the best in the world.

I have no doubt that I have missed some foods, but since my attention is on
the ancient rather than the present, I'll let that go for now.

I found this all very interesting because, as a hypoglycemic, I notice that
these foods are almost all low-glycemic foods and the foods I personally
thrive on.  There are ofcourse the Neolithic common foods like rice and black
beans, which is a huuuge staple there and a transplant to many Spanish
settlements around the world, but tend to fatten us up (as many of us know).
They also like cheese very much, but use primarily Ewe cheese as well as
Goat.  I have extrapolated (but still hoping to find research on this point)
that being some of the oldest people in existance, they probably were among
the first to use animal products like milk etc, in their diets.  I personally
tolerate milk very well, never had  a problem with it, nor has anyone in my
family that I know of.

 I would be very curious to know if lactose or wheat intolerance is a problem
among people of Spanish ancestry, as well as any problem with citrus fruits.
We are told citrus is a big problem with many people, but considering how
long it's been such an important part of the Spanish diet, I wonder if others
of you tolerate it as well as I do.

If there are any Spanish folks out there, I would love to hear about your
experiences with these and other foods.  And no offense to any others, but
considering how many hispanic colonies were created mixing Spaniards with
natives, I would like to keep my search narrowed to only Spanish heritage. I
believe native peoples have had a great deal of research done on their eating
habits already. They have been a great source of knowledge on proper eating,
but since I'm told I carry no native blood from any other origin, that
information might not apply to me.

Sorry for the long post, I hope it was of interest to even a few of you.
Hope to hear back from anyone that can help me in my search. Thanks for your
indulgence.

Anna L. Abrante
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"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

        -unknown author