What food did poor people eat in the 1600s?

The diet of poor people in the 1600s was starkly different from the wealthier classes and varied greatly depending on location and climate. Here's a general idea:

Staples:

* Bread: The most common food was bread, often made from rye or barley, which were cheaper than wheat. This bread was often coarse and dark, sometimes containing other ingredients like oats, beans, or even nuts.

* Porridge: Made with oatmeal, barley, or rye, porridge was a filling and inexpensive breakfast or meal. It was sometimes cooked with milk, but more often with water.

* Beans: Dried beans, such as peas, lentils, and broad beans, were a cheap source of protein. They were cooked in stews, soups, or eaten as a side dish.

* Roots and Vegetables: Turnips, carrots, onions, cabbage, and other vegetables were grown in gardens or foraged. These were often eaten boiled or stewed.

* Meat: Meat was a luxury for most poor people. They might occasionally get some cheap cuts of meat, like bacon, or hunt small game.

* Fish: People living near the coast had access to fish, which was often preserved by drying or salting.

Other Foods:

* Fruits and Nuts: These were foraged or grown in gardens.

* Honey and Milk: These were occasionally available, but were more common in rural areas.

* Eggs: Eggs were a cheap source of protein, especially if people raised chickens.

Important Considerations:

* Availability: The specific foods available depended on the location and climate.

* Seasonality: Diets varied greatly by season, with fresh produce more readily available in summer.

* Food Preservation: Since refrigeration wasn't available, food was often preserved by drying, salting, or pickling.

* Dietary Deficiencies: The poor diet often lacked essential nutrients, leading to health problems like scurvy and rickets.

Overall, the diet of poor people in the 1600s was often simple, monotonous, and lacking in variety. It was focused on filling the stomach rather than providing a balanced and healthy diet.

It's important to remember that these are just general guidelines. The specifics of a poor person's diet depended on a variety of factors.