Can man live by anything alone?

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

Following on from Cecil’s answer to “can man live by bread alone” (see here. Basically, no, and it would be a horrible, painful demise.)
I wonder, is there any one simple thing that man can live on alone? And if not, what would be the simplest healthy diet (only 2 or 3 things?)

Looking around I’ve found a few suggestions that pop up again and again: oatmeal, potatoes, bread, bananas, apricots, peanut butter, cereal, milk…

But there doesn’t seem to be a conclusive answer anywhere. I’m sure there’s some way you could cheat nature by wolfing two foods and a multivitamin, but would anyone out there be able to clarify?

Thanks :slight_smile:

2

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=600970&highlight=bachelor+chow

There’s an older thread about “bachelor chow” that goes into much more depth.

3

Thanks man. Searched around and couldn’t find anything. Didn’t realise it was called “bachelor chow”. Feel a bit silly now, but thanks for the quick reply :smiley:

4

An even better plan here–see post# 20 for details (which are taken from the article linked in post #9, which is sadly no longer available).

(You might die, but it beats the living hell out of monkey chow.)