Some centuries ago there were certain rules about eating food that amounted to religions laws. These laws applied to people like Muslims who were forbidden alcoholic beverages and pork. The Jews were also forbidden to eat, pork and the meat of certain other animals. Many Muslims and Jews still observe these rules strictly as part of their religions traditions.

In Europe, when the early inhabitants stopped being wandering shepherds and settled down to farming, men began to eat more grain foods. At first they used spelt, an inferior form of wheat still grown in mountain regions of Europe. From this they made porridge-like meals and it was not for several centuries that farmers began to grow a better-quality wheat with which to make bread.

Other foods in those days included pickled olives, hard cheese and eggs.