Spartan warrior diet
Natural food, grown locally by the helots was were most of the Spartan diet would come from. In ancient Sparta the diet was typically basic and limited by the local resources of the Greek landscape. Environment, Fitness, Health, powerlifting, RKC, strength, training program, Vibram Five Fingers. Their theory on food meant that they ate to be strong and healthy, and not to over indulge. Drink as much water as you want of course. The Spartans did eat bread, although it was not a staple of their diet. Typically barley was used over wheat to create bread, although it is believed that on special occasions wheat bread would be made. Follow the VERY HEALTHY order of salad first, then your veggies, then your protein and if you have room, your carbs. The Spartan society was very self sufficient and this shines through in their approach to food. Designed for efficiency and maximal energy, it seemed like a no-brainer since my journey as a new father has been tough on the eating and sleeping schedule, 2 vital components of any successful fitness program. Common foods were meat and fish, with a wide variety of animals and fish consumed. And of course fresh fruit would grow well in the warm Greek weather, providing the Spartans with lots of variety albeit rather basic. Think predator, hungry, strong and driven to survive and thrive. Squeeze some fresh veggies and fruits and guzzle it down, chew on some raw almonds, cashews or pistachios.
The milk would additionally be used to create cream and cheese for use in various dishes, and sealing cheese was a well known skill in all of Sparta. The Spartans would use any animal they hunted for food, even though it was also considered a sport to them, they would not waste any fruits of their hunt. Dairy was also commonplace in the Sparta diet, with milk sourced from local sheep and goats. I can almost see your furrowed brow on one side, raised brow on the other side. The Spartans as with everything put their military above all, and their food and diet was no different. You eat enough to sustain and actually stimulate insulin release and get you going, burning fat and preserving muscle. Hofmekler has you eat only live and raw foods during the day. On Sunday, December 12, 2010, I participated, along with 3 other tough guys, in an event called the Spartan Race. Honey, milk, cheese and bread were also common, as were figs and wine. See, the Warrior Diet has you go through periods of controlled under-eating during the day alternating with over-eating at night. When a big cat like a lion or a tiger feasts, they eat till satisfied, unsure of when their next meal comes. Well, for starters, if my own coaches and RKC comrades have been raving about it, it was endorsement enough for me to give it a shot. The Spartan diet would regularly consist of meat, including pigs, goat, and sheep. Fish would also be eaten when available, and of course and spoils from hunting would be on the menu too, including animals like wild boar and rabbits. The Spartans were not as in love with their food as most of ancient Greece, and their diet was more humble and basic. While asleep (night time, circadian rhythm), you only use enough calories to rebuild your muscles from your hunt (I mean, training), while stocking up energy for the day ahead. As is now, over indulgence would have had a negative effect on not only the physiques of the Spartan warriors but also their energy levels, and as we already know peak fitness and performance was essential to be a Spartan citizen.
