Was Medieval Food Healthy?

Medieval Food: Was it Healthy?

Food from the Medieval era has been studied extensively by historians and food enthusiasts alike. In this article, we take a look at what kind of food people ate during this period and whether it was healthy or not.

The most common type of food eaten in the Middle Ages was grain-based. Bread was the main staple and accounted for up to three-quarters of all caloric intake.

Other grains such as oats, barley, and rye were also eaten in various forms such as porridge, gruel, and pancakes. In addition to grains, fruits and vegetables were consumed in large amounts by both peasants and nobles alike. Fruits such as apples, pears, and cherries were widely available while vegetables included cabbage, onions, turnips, carrots, and parsnips.

Meat was also popular during this period but was generally expensive and hard to come by for the majority of people. The most common types of meat consumed were beef, pork, lamb, goat meat and poultry such as duck or goose. Fish was also eaten on a regular basis but usually only by those living near bodies of water.

In terms of nutrition, medieval diets were generally quite healthy due to the variety of foods that were available. People ate a wide array of fruits and vegetables which provided essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for good health. Meat provided necessary protein while grains provided carbohydrates for energy.

Conclusion:

Overall it can be said that despite the limited availability of certain foods during the Medieval era, diets were generally healthy due to the variety of foods consumed by people from all social classes. The combination of grains, fruits/vegetables and meat provided essential nutrients for good health which made Medieval food healthier than many modern-day diets.