Living on the land my ancestors would, I assumed, have a fair proportion of fruit and vegetables in their diet but not much meat. How typical the examples of diet I have discovered are I am not sure but I really did not expect almost a total absence of fresh vegetables and instead rice pudding (even in the workhouse). If anyone has any other examples of diet (as opposed to particular recipes) I would be pleased to have sight of them

In “The Industrial Revolution” by Peter Lane he quotes an ideal diet for a labourer as recommended at the time (late 1700s). If this was ideal I can only assume that many ate rather less well. There is a total absence of fruit, green vegetables (except celery) and variety and even the greatest rice pudding enthusiast would surely tire of eating nothing else 2 days a week.

Day One: Two pounds of bread, made from a mixture of wheat rye and potato. Two ounces of cheese. Two pints of beer

Day Two: Three portions of soup made from lean beef, pease, mealy potatoes, ground rice, onions, celery and salt and water.

Day Three: Rice pudding made with half a pound of rice, a little sugar and two quarts of skim milk.

Day Four: Quarter of a pound of fat beef and a quarter pound of potatoes baked together. Beer.

Day Five: Rice pudding.

Day Six Bread, Cheese and beer.

Day Seven (Sunday): Fat beef, potatoes, cheese, beer.

AGED, INFIRM,AND SICK DIETARY