Have you surpassed the longevity of a Roman? The astonishingly contemporary advice on living a long life, drawn from ancient wisdom, remains applicable today.
**Ancient Greek and Roman Diet: A Holistic Approach to Health**
In the ancient world of Greece and Rome, maintaining good health was not just about medical treatments but also a lifestyle choice. The physicians of the time, such as Hippocrates, Galen, and Diocles, viewed diet as central to health and wellness. Their advice was shaped by observations of the body, the environment, and the qualities of various foods.
The core principles of ancient medical diet revolved around balance and humoral theory. Greek and Roman physicians believed health was maintained by balancing internal forces and external conditions—food, temperature, movement, and even the seasons all played a role. Diet was seen as a key tool for preserving this balance according to the humoral theory, which classified foods and bodily states using qualities like hot, cold, wet, and dry.
Ancient doctors advised adjusting diet with the seasons and local conditions. Eating certain foods at the wrong time or in the wrong environment could upset the body’s balance. For instance, fruit, especially softer and wetter varieties like peaches, was viewed with suspicion by physicians such as Galen. The rapid decomposition of fruit was thought to cause similar processes in the stomach, potentially leading to illness or chronic conditions.
Vegetables and herbs, on the other hand, were generally favored for their health benefits. Asparagus was considered invigorating and aphrodisiac, with Roman cooks preparing it using methods that preserved texture and flavor. Herbs were commonly used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Greek and Roman physicians, including Hippocrates and Galen, recommended a variety of herbs—some local, some imported—for their therapeutic properties.
Physicians emphasized moderation in all things, including diet. Galen’s own father strictly regulated his fruit intake, allowing it only once a year, highlighting the belief that excessive or imbalanced consumption could be harmful. Grains and legumes were dietary staples for most people, while meats and fish were consumed less frequently but valued as sources of strength.
Wine was often consumed with meals, sometimes diluted with water. The use of herbs and flavorings, such as olive oil, honey, and vinegars, was widespread in ancient recipes, reflecting a preference for balanced, flavorful dishes.
In summary, ancient Greek and Roman physicians advised a diet rich in grains, legumes, and vegetables, with limited fruit due to concerns about spoilage and health risks. Herbs were valued for both flavor and medicine, and all aspects of diet were to be adapted to the seasons and individual constitution.
The beliefs of Greco-Roman physicians about health being proactive, holistic, and within one's power to manage and control have echoes in modern wellness. Modern wellness might seem different from ancient rules and advice, but it shares the same question fixated by ancient thinkers: what does it mean to live healthily and be well?
| Food Group | Typical Advice/Use | Physician Commentary | |-----------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Grains/Legumes | Daily staples; main energy source | Essential for balance | | Fruit | Limited, especially soft/wet types | Suspected of causing illness[1] | | Vegetables | Encouraged, prepared with herbs/oils | Good for health, moderation advised | | Meat/Fish | Eaten in moderation | Strengthening but not essential | | Herbs | Medicinal and culinary | Key part of remedies[2] | | Wine | Consumed with meals, diluted | Moderation important |
[1] Galen, On the Properties of Foodstuffs, Translated by Kenneth S. Guthrie. [2] Galen, On the Therapeutic Method, Translated by Arthur John Brock. [3] Hippocrates, Aphorisms, Translated by W. H. S. Jones. [4] Apicius, The Art of Cooking, Translated by Joseph Dommers Vehling.
- In line with the ancient Greek and Roman dietary principles, science suggests that a balanced approach to health-and-wellness, which includes a diet rich in grains, legumes, and vegetables, is preferred, with moderation in the consumption of fruits and limited intake of soft or wet varieties due to concerns about spoilage and health risks.
- The fitness-and-exercise regimens of the ancient Greeks and Romans placed significant emphasis on the importance of diet, aligning with contemporary nutrition knowledge that a balanced diet is integral to overall health, wellness, and fitness.
