Letter on Corpulence

by William Banting

In what's billed as the "world's first diet book," William Banting offered his strategy for losing weight. He ate four meals a day, didn't exercise much, drank alcohol, and swore off only a few foods. And, what's more, anyone familiar with current low-carb diets will find similar advice here -- advice given in 1864. William Banting was a carpenter in Victorian London whose weight spiraled out of control. His eyesight and hearing failed, he had weak knees, and he suffered an umbilical rupture, health problems he attributed to his weight. He consulted doctors but nothing helped. Then Banting discovered this diet and got results within just a few days. He ate lots of meat, a few vegetables, shunned some foods that he's previously overindulged in, and drank alcohol with lunch and dinner. He lost fifty pounds, and his health improved. He published this pamphlet detailing his diet and distributed the copies for free. By its third printing it had sold 63,000 copies, and the term "Banting" became synonymous with "dieting" in England.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Diets, Nutrition, Food

64 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2005

Reviews

[Scott Jann · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a hundred years ago, William Banting figured out more than most medical professionals know these days.

[Jen Hamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after seeing it mentioned in Taube's excellent book Why We Get Fat. It's interesting as a historical footnote in the history of weight loss strategies, but don't expect anything too surprising.

[Galicius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only a small amount of this purported to be the first diet book is on what the author ate and most on promoting weight loss for health--low carbohydrates and high protein. Green vegetables get mentioned in a one line at the end. Salmon may not have been available in 1864 London 1864 but why does he disallow it?

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heard about this book from The Diet Fix by Yoni Freedhoff. Not only is it amazing that it is still in print and can be easily found (although, I chose to download it through Amazon), it falls under the category of "the more things change, the more they remain the same." I would recommend it as a historical read, not as a diet book.

[Manoj Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1863 and known as the first diet book written in the world - This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. Interestingly I found it after I have nearly achieved my ideal weight and a great control over diabetes - hope many who may benefit from it may take notice of this ...

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

[Andy]

DNF. Too much repetitive hot air.

[Choukri AOUSSAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I can now confidently say that quantity of diet may be
safely left to the natural appetite; and that it is the
quality only, which is essential to abate and cure corpulence.”1863

“My impression is that any starchy
or saccharine matter tends to the disease of corpulence
in advanced life, and whether it be swallowed in that
form or generated in the stomach, that all things tending
to these elements should be avoided, of course always
under sound medical authority.
WILLIAM BANTING.” 1863

“My impression from the experiments I have tried on
myself of late is, that saccharine matter is the great moving
cause of fatty corpulence. I know that it produces
in my individual case increased weight and a large
amount of flatulence, and believe, that not only sugar,
but all elements tending to create saccharine matter in
the process of digestion, should be avoided.” 1863


“In my humble judgment the dietary is the principal
point in the treatment of Corpulence, and it appears to
me, moreover, that if properly regulated it becomes in a
certain sense a medicine. The system seems to me to
attack only the superfluous deposit of fat, and, as my
medical friend informs me, purges the blood, rendering
it more pure and healthy, strengthens the muscles and
bodily viscera, and I feel quite convinced sweetens life
if it does not prolong it.” 1863

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fascinating to read this and to know that this was a known fact back in the 1800's and that obesity was a "problem" back then.

Diet is still the answer and there are many factors inhibiting this knowledge to rid ourselves of obesity. Even after the COVID 19 pandemic, where obesity was one of the major risk factors, we continue to ignore the health crisis of obesity.

[Michael Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Especially for anyone unsure of the keto diet.

I also enjoyed William Banting’s biography by Greg Critser. You can find it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardi...

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

1864
It's a quick read and well worth it. Again, 1864 is the copyright date...

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost a No-op! Very little factual content or even advice... mostly boastful of personal success.
This said, the book/letter stands as an historic marker for the LCHF Ketogenic diet of today!