Theories behind Aristocratic Food. Aristocratic diet was far more diverse than that of the medieval peasant, and several factors affected it: religious prohibitions, a product's availability, and medical theories. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays were officially fast days, when meat and eggs were prohibited; the same fasting rules applied to evenings before major religious holidays and to Lent, the forty days before Easter. Like the medieval peasant diet, aristocratic menus were tied to the growing season. Yet, while certain foods were not available at some times of the year, a member of the upper nobility had the resources to take advantage of whatever distribution facilities might be available. Medical theories at both popular and learned levels helped guide food choices and preparation. The proper diet was considered essential to maintaining a healthy balance of the four humors in...