What did nobles eat in the Middle Ages?

Members of the upper class in the Middle Ages knew very little about nutrition and would base meals on meats, fish, bread, spices and very little vegetables. They believed it was more important to achieve a beautiful food presentation, which meant they enjoyed expensive spices including saffron, black pepper, cinnamon and cloves.

Because thought was not given to proper nutrition, noblemen in the Middle Ages often suffered from a variety of health problems that included skin disease and bad teeth. Dairy products were often only eaten by those who were poor. Other foods enjoyed by the lower classes included bread, stew, nuts, honey and homegrown fruits and vegetables.