| Atkins diet was unknown 35 years ago. Though | | | | The olympians also ate more rich-protein |
| it seems that ancient people - athletes | | | | legumes which their bodies needed to keep a |
| particularly - followed a strict diet which | | | | boost of energy. |
| is likewise Atkins basic. | | | | |
| | | | Moreover, according to food historian |
| Strict diet and severe exercises for Ancient | | | | Francine Segan, an ancient Olympic runner was |
| Greeks | | | | put to undertake a meat-only diet. It seems |
| | | | that this tough exclusive diet was a must to |
| Long before dr Atkins finished his theory | | | | win a competition. That works for runners. |
| about ketosis and established his famous | | | | The fact that runners ate only meat started a |
| diet, ancient people had undertaken it, | | | | sort of meat diet craze, pointed out the |
| without any clue at all. Not only they were | | | | historian. Another condition to complete |
| eating Atkins-style, but also they were | | | | athletes' diet was to expel bread right |
| strongly practicing regular exercise, as dr | | | | before competition, eating dried figs |
| Atkins now recommends. Ancient Greeks spent a | | | | instead. Francine Segan admitted that he |
| lot of time educating their bodies. Gymnastic | | | | discovered that while he was searching |
| exercises were very appreciated, children | | | | information about famous Mediteranean |
| were trained and directed to follow a daily | | | | cuisine. |
| training program. After years of strict diet | | | | |
| and heavy gymnastics, Greeks finally admitted | | | | Their diet was directed according to |
| that "too much and too strict" is not good | | | | Pausanias. Those practicing heavy exercise |
| for health, because this regimen exhausted | | | | ate pork and a particular kind of bread. |
| the human constitution. | | | | Also, it seems that beef was later introduced |
| | | | in the ordinary diet of the athletes. Goat |
| Greek Olympians followed meat-only diet | | | | meat is mentioned, too, in "A Dictionary of |
| | | | Greek and Roman Antiquities". Meat |
| In fact, we talk about Greek people who ate | | | | consumption was highly encouraged, as on the |
| fruits, vegetables, a lot of fish, breads. | | | | Atkins diet plan. Fats, too, since pork, is a |
| This was a regular eating regimen for | | | | fat meat. |
| ordinary Greeks, with the amendment that fish | | | | |
| was the most common meat eaten in that | | | | Ancient preoccupation with health, diet and |
| seafaring region. Quite interesting is the | | | | exercise is praiseworthy. A low-carbohydrate |
| fact that Greek olympians had a bit different | | | | daily regimen, along with regular exercise |
| eating regimen, a meat-heavy regimen, like | | | | are a simple and efficient scheme for losing |
| the low-carb Atkins's (not so refined, of | | | | weight and shaping the body. The ancient |
| course, no phases at all). The goal was to | | | | people knew it by trying it only. No |
| develop a lot of muscles and meat was | | | | theories, no calories, no ketosis, no debates |
| enormously necessary. But not any Greek could | | | | around. Maybe they didn't need to know how it |
| daily afford meat on the table. Only upper | | | | works. "Mens sana in corpore sana" worked |
| social strata from Greece could afford it. | | | | best for them. |