FOOD NEWS
Marie Antoinette's Daily Eating Habits, According To Historians
BY Zoë Lourey-Christianson
Marie Antoinette is an enduring historical figure whose story is uniquely connected to food. There are rumors of her having a sweet tooth and being known to overeat.
Unfortunately, many concrete details about Antoinette, including what she ate, are unknown. What is known is the fact she would have access to the world's finest offerings.
Though it can be hard to pin down the queen's exact diet, there are some verifiable accounts in the memoirs of Antoinette's chambermaids and ladies-in-waiting.
One lady-in-waiting, Madame Campan, noted that the queen didn't eat very much and preferred privacy during mealtimes. Her day would begin with hot chocolate and pastries or bread.
Then, she would only consume water and small portions of poultry throughout the rest of the day. This stands in high contrast to the notion of an overindulgent Marie Antoinette.
Typical dinners for French royals at the time began with starter dishes and soups, then moved on to opulent platters of roasted meats like boar and ornate pastries.
One item frequently mentioned regarding Antoinette's diet is chocolate. It was a delicacy during her time and a staple ingredient in the Versailles Palace.
When she married Louis XVI, Antoinette brought her own chocolatier from Austria to invent chocolate dishes scented with almonds, orange blossoms, and anything else she desired.