Pythagorean Diet: the revolutionary father of vegetarianism

Posted by

January 9, 2025

On November 23, 2023

Introduction to the Pythagorean Diet

I decided to write about the Pythagorean Diet just after the conference entitled “The Pythagorean Trapeza” held at the Pythagorean Museum here in Crotone; an occasion in which I participated as a speaker with a talk (to my delight, sincerely appreciated) entitled “Health and Sustainability at the Table: the Evolution of Pythagorean Thought“. At the end of the article you will find the video with a summary.
I learned many curious things from the research I did to prepare my talk, in addition to what clearly emerged from the speeches of other distinguished colleagues; and so I thought it useful to share them with you.

Let us begin by learning more about the revolutionary father of this diet.

Who was Pythagoras and how did he live?

Pythagoras, the Visionary Mathematician and Scientist

He is known as the inventor of the theorem about right triangles, where the square of the measure of the hypotenuse (let’s call it c) is equal to the sum of the squares of the measures of the legs (a and b), hence: a2 + b2 = c2.
However, Pythagoras was much more than a mathematician, although in that sense he was exceptional, since he revolutionized mathematics and shaped the minds of the great thinkers who followed him.
For example, he was also known as an astronomer, and always enlightened: in fact, he was one of the first scientists to suggest that the earth was not flat, but round; he also guessed that the moon’s light was not its own, but reflected!
Such an amazing brain could not fail to have an extraordinary body (to quote the famous saying – coined a good 500 ani later – “Mens sana in corpore sano“): perhaps partly due to genes (they say his mother was uniquely beautiful); but certainly due to his diet.

The vegetarianism of Pythagoras and his philosophy

Was Pythagoras a vegetarian or a vegan?
Without a doubt, we can call him the father of vegetarianism in the West.
So much so that in the 1600s in Paris or London, if someone decided to stop eating meat, they would say they were following a Pythagorean diet: a definition used until the 1800s.
Today, if we want to call his diet by a more common name, it could be roughly defined as a lacto-vegetarian diet: that is, meatless, with very few foods of animal origin such as honey and occasionally dairy products; but rich in vegetables and especially wild herbs and whole grains in the form of bread; fresh, dried and nuts and dried fruits.

Foods of the Pythagorean Diet

According to Diogenes Pythagoras, he ate bread with honey for breakfast; for the other meals of the day he enjoyed raw vegetables, olives, generous amounts of fruit, occasionally a small piece of cheese, but always accompanied by rye or oat bread; or barley or wheat bread, but always strictly whole grain (guada case right in line with what I suggested in my article "Healthy Bread"
While he also highly valued millet (his reasons were not much different from what I wrote in that article), he discouraged the consumption of wine, as it altered the mind and made learning difficult; the same with legumes, fava beans in particular.
So he was a somewhat atypical vegetarian compared to today: we are on the hunt for protein; he strictly rejected it, albeit of plant origin.
Certainly, some fears were understandable. Living in a time and geographical area where death from (as yet undiscovered) favism was almost unheard of, it is not surprising that fava beans were considered by Pythagoras to be something impure.
It is different, however, to understand the similar fate he reserved for all legumes.
They too were defined as impure, both because of their "shape" and because they were nothing more than "musical fruits": flatulence (or other stomach ailments) irreparably ruined the concentration of his students. Some even suggest that he thought they belonged to the world of the dead: perhaps because of the strong smell they emitted.
Whatever the real reasons, legumes were forbidden, just like meat. And despite the severe protein deficiency (for our times), Pythagoras had a long and healthy eventful life.

The impact and legacy of the Pythagorean diet

Health benefits of the Pythagorean Diet

Was the Pythagorean diet healthy?
Considering that on this diet he lived to the age of 75 (a considerable age for those times), traveled, formulated indispensable theorems that are still used today, taught, even coached the great Milo, and did not die of natural causes (rather of heartbreak after the revolt against his school), well, I would say that the answer is certainly affirmative.
And Pythagoras was extremely convinced of this, as he was constantly subjected to fierce criticism; due to the fact that he simply did not conform to the traditional styles.

The Importance of Pythagorean Thought in Modern Nutrition

The importance of Pythagorean thought in modern nutrition
But what was the real driving force behind this choice? What made Pythagoras give up the "delicacies" of the day?
Although he probably sensed that the abuse of animal protein might not be "good" for one's health, Pythagoras advised avoiding animal flesh so as not to risk eating one's friend or relative, since he believed in reincarnation!
But there is more, if you will, that is more current and communicable. He and his followers pointed to a broader philosophy that emphasized the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of harmony in the world.
Essentially, by abstaining from meat, people could achieve greater spiritual purity and enlightenment.

Conclusions and final thoughts

What can I say, Pythagoras was an inspiration then and we find he still is in modern times.
I am sure that the original motivations would have dovetailed with today’s far more powerful ones: the abuse of meat and industrial agriculture has caused and continues to cause irreversible damage to the environment and human health.
Just as Pythagorean thought revolutionized thinking, not just mathematical thinking, today we must embrace a broader revolution that allows participation by all: vegans, vegetarians, and especially omnivores.
There is no Planet B, we must unite and include everyone, because divided we lose, but united we win.
This is what my revolution is about, and providing the tools to fight back properly is and will remain the purpose of this site.
I am not asking you to become vegan, or even to adopt a sustainable diet like the CHEtarian diet, but at least to take small, very important steps: let us shop consciously, not waste, buy seasonal and reduce meat consumption.
This if we want to leave a “breathable” world for future generations, without forcing them to eat insects.
Pythagoras would have fully supported this other fundamental revolution, where the pollution of the soul is inseparable from the pollution of the body, our home and our future.