Research suggests that our ancient ancestors had a plant-based diet with limited amounts of meat, challenging the idea that they were primarily carnivorous hunters. Evidence shows that early humans consumed a variety of plant-based foods such as root vegetables, leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds. Studies have found remains of cooked plant foods dating back thousands of years, indicating a long history of plant consumption by both early modern humans and Neanderthals.

Furthermore, research suggests that carbohydrate consumption, particularly in the form of cooked starch, was crucial for the development of the human brain over the last million years. Starches were a significant source of glucose for our ancestors, contributing to the increase in brain size. This challenges the notion that meat was the primary energy source for ancient humans, highlighting the importance of a plant-based diet for our evolutionary history.