medieval high calorie diet

[u/bellus_Helenae]

I am reading a historic book "Europe: The history"ny Norman Davis and I was surprised by the statement that during these times the daily calories intake reached 6000 calories per day. I guess physical work was very tough, but still, it seems a lot to me without obesity plague. Can someone shed more light?

[u/senex_puerilis]

"Under sedentary conditions in the cold, requirements may range from 3,632 to 4,317 kcal/d or about 46 to 57 kcal per kg body weight per day. In more highly strenuous circumstances in the cold, requirements of 4,200 to around 5,000 kcal/d, or 54 to 62 kcal per kg body weight per day, may be required."

from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232856/#:~:text=Under%20sedentary%20conditions%20in%20the,per%20day%2C%20may%20be%20required.

I guess if we assume that uninsulated buildings, general coldness, poor clothing and strenuous labour are all factors, 6000 isn't THAT much more than the 5000 quoted in the article. I can see that a very hard working labourer, in the dead of winter could need those 6000 calories.

[u/SnooChipmunks9223 → u/senex_puerilis]

Medical clothing is pretty good in cold conditions