Classical Wisdom Speaks The Ancient Secrets to a Healthy Diet
Oct 9, 2025
Claire Bubb, an Assistant Professor at NYU and author of How to Eat Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers, delves into ancient dietary practices. She explores how Greeks and Romans meticulously crafted their diets, linking food choices to health. Discover the significance of starting meals with sharp foods and ending with sweets, as well as the importance of seasonal eating. Bubb highlights the fascinating interplay of culture, medical opinions, and personal health, offering timeless insights for modern living.
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Wider, Seasonal Plant Use
- Ancient diets used far more plant species seasonally and during famine than modern diets.
- Many now-rare wild or 'famine' plants (e.g., acorns) were known and prepared locally.
Galen's Nighttime Lettuce Cure
- Galen used lettuce medicinally as a soporific to treat his insomnia.
- He ate lettuce before bed and praised its cold, moist qualities for inducing sleep.
Pork As Rich Nourishment
- Pork was seen as highly nourishing and easy to convert into flesh, useful for those needing weight.
- Doctors warned it suits active people but harms those who are weak or less active.
