What was the average, daily calorie intake for people in Regency England?
Three links might help to answer the question. Both are on Jane Austen’s World blog: The Diet of 18th Century Handloom Weavers: http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/a-snapshot-in-time-the-diet-of-18th-century-handloom-weavers/ Caloric Requirements of a Seamstress, Servant and Washwoman: http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2007/10/21/interesting-fact-caloric-requirements-of-a-seamstress-servant-and-washer-woman/ An English Meal: http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2006/09/02/an-english-meal/ In the above link, Louis Simond, an American traveler to London, describes a typical meal he had in Regency England. You can add up the calories if you give him a generous serving of each of the courses. In addition, breakfasts were simple affairs in the early 19th century and not so elaborate as they became in Victorian England. Lunch or nuncheon consisted of enough food to “fill the palm of your hand.” People generally drank ale or wine, since unboiled water was riddled with diseas
