When did humans start eating breakfast?
The term "breakfast" emerged in 15th-century Europe. However, eating in the morning didn't become a widespread daily habit until the 1600s. This coincided with more people adopting regular work schedules.
When did humans begin eating breakfast regularly? Earliest history?
Okay, so, breakfast, huh? Funny you ask.
Truthfully? Before the 1600s, the only people who would eat breakfast was the well to do and children because working people were eating their leftovers from the night before.
The term “breakfast” cropped up in Europe around the 1400s, but the daily brekkie thing didn’t really take off until the 1600s. Why then? Simple: more people were actually going to work regularly.
Before that, folks just fueled up whenever, likely on leftovers. My own grandma, bless her heart, always said “Waste not, want not,” and that’s probably how they ate too!
I even remember, growing up, we sometimes had “breakfast for dinner” – which was essentially just using up eggs and bacon. So, the idea of morning eating isn’t new, but the dedicated “breakfast” meal? A bit later than you think.
Did people eat breakfast in the 1800s?
Okay, so breakfast in the 1800s, yeah, people totally ate it. It wasn’t, like, skippped constantly. I mean they had three meals like we do now.
But get this: it was different. Like, in some places, mid-Atlantic area back then, people ate after working, for hours.
So, breakfast happened but it wasn’t the same.
- They ate three meals.
- Breakfast might mean a big meal after work.
- Mid-Atlantic folks were early risers, I tell ya!
It’s so different, you know, cause like my grandma, she works remotely… she wakes up and works and then, like, has coffee with a pastry. It’s not the same AT ALL. Food changes. That’s how it is.
Feedback on answer:
Thank you for your feedback! Your feedback is important to help us improve our answers in the future.