What can you eat? The bread was often a staple, usually dark and coarse (think as whole grain as possible). Rice, maize, millet, and sorghum were commonly grown in many parts of the world. Legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils were a significant part of the diet. Eggs, cheese, and butter were also consumed, as well as fruit and nuts. The meat was limited and generally only for special occasions. Vegetables were highly seasonal and varied depending on what part of the world you were in. They were generally eaten cooked not raw. Eating two meals a day (one in the morning and one in the evening) was a common practice. Spices were rare and expensive, so use only a tiny amount or none at all. Herbs can add flavor (e.g. parsley, thyme, rosemary), as can mustard and vinegar. Food preparation was boiling,
stewing and frying and for an authentic experience try using only your hands or one simple utensil such as a spoon.
Write down what you ate, how you prepared it, and what your experience of it was like. How would this diet differ from what you currently eat? How would it change your lifestyle and attitude toward food if you ate in this way all the time?
Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, or struggles in the Life Experiments Discussion forum.