ABSTRACT
The Egyptians had three meals a day, while the king and court had five meals a day. All in all, the Egyptian diet, which consisted of coarse bread, milk, vegetables, fish, and occasionally meat, was well balanced and conducive to health. Great stress was placed upon the cleanliness of the dwelling, the care of the body, and on dress and diet. Care of the body – skin, hair, eyes, and teeth – was important to the Egyptians in different ways. It is clear that the ancient Egyptians did not smoke, had no syphilis, and very rarely tuberculosis; diabetes and hypertension were uncommon. Their diet and hygienic conditions were as Siculus Diodorus said, “The whole manner of life was so evenly ordered that it would appear as though it had been arranged according to the rules of health by a learned physician, rather than by a law-giver”.
