What if the key to a long and fulfilling life had nothing to do with the nutritional trends touted in magazines? Emma Morano, an Italian woman born in 1899, lived through three centuries and two world wars before passing away peacefully at the age of 117. Her daily diet? It might raise an eyebrow. And yet, there’s much more to learn from her story than what was on her plate.
A menu that defies all the rules
Forget green smoothies, quinoa bowls, and superfoods. Emma relied on eggs. Three a day, every day, for almost a century. Two raw eggs in the morning—on the advice of a doctor after the First World War to treat anemia—and one omelet at lunchtime. In the evening, a little chicken, simple and unfussy.
Over time, she simplified things even further: two eggs and a few biscuits. As for vegetables and fruit, almost nothing. And to top it all off, a small dose of homemade grappa, infused with herbs according to a family recipe. A ritual steeped in Italian tradition, with all the warmth and simplicity of grandmother’s cooking.
Of course, doctors now remind us that raw eggs pose health risks—Emma’s story remains a fascinating curiosity, not a prescription to be followed.
