We all have our favorite foods. These are the things we turn to as a comfort eat, or when we are craving something in particular. And for most of us, that is not a problem (unless you are actually allergic to something and then you shouldn’t be eating it anyway).
However, if you are a member of the royal family, there are some things you simply can’t do or eat. For Meghan Markle, who married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, this means having to give up one of her favorite foods, or at least when she is in the presence of the queen.
It turns out there are actually a number of foods that the queen has banned, with one of them being Markle’s favorite, pasta. According to the Daily Express, when in attendance at Buckingham Palace, pasta is not allowed. And that is not all the newly minted Duchess of Suscopulation has had to give up, as she is also not allowed to eat seafood when doing her royal duties on the road.
Among the other foods that the queen has banned from the menu at Buckingham Palace, are rice and potatoes, while garlic and onion are limited, if not outright eliminated from the menu. Apparently, this is all due to the queen’s own ban on starchy foods that are jam-packed with carbohydrates, as she is looking out for her own health and well-being. And when it comes to garlic and onions, this stems from the fact that the royal family often has interact with the public and having bad breath is highly frowned upon.
Considering Meghan Markle is primarily a vegan, and has always lived a more health-conscious lifestyle, the limitations on the Buckingham Palace menu are likely not that big of a deal. Of course, when your favorite dish is a pasta dish made with "slow-cooked courgette," it might be a bit disappointing being unable to indulge whenever you want to.
Honestly though, we have to think that since Meghan Markle does not live at Buckingham Palace (as she lives with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace), these restrictions are probably only in effect when she and the queen are dining together. Of course there are some bans and rules that are permanently in effect for the royal family even outside of the queen’s residence, but pasta is perhaps not one of them. This means that if Markle really is in the mood for a scrumptious pasta dish, she should be able to indulge, as long as she is at home and not with the queen.
However, one has to think that the queen seems to have the right idea when it comes to her list of banned foods. While she is said to have a bit of a sweet tooth, she still lives with the idea of "eat to live," which means eliminating foods that are less than healthy for you.
For many of us looking to lead a healthier life, the idea of giving up our favorite foods may seem daunting, yet also rather rewarding in the long run. Considering the queen is 92-years-old and still going strong with her royal duties, it appears as if she might know what she is doing by avoiding certain foods and limiting others.
While there are plenty of reasons for the ban on different food items at Buckingham Palace, we totally appreciate eating healthier and avoiding foods that are more likely to tire you out and make you feel sluggish.
In fact, we think maybe following the queen’s diet is a great idea for a lot of us, as it will likely improve not only our overall health, but maybe even help us live as long as the monarch has. And while she may have a number of foods she chooses to avoid, the fact that she will still indulge herself in a bit of chocolate here and there means we wouldn’t be giving up everything we love.
It may be time to follow the queen’s example and start avoiding those starchy foods, especially if we hope to live a long and vibrant life, just like she has.
Photo Credit: Terry Kearney via Flickr