The Pre-Diet Lifestyle of Extreme Excess
Before his widely publicised attempts to lose weight, Barry Austin's diet was characterised by extreme and unchecked consumption. Fuelled partly by a competitive nature and a desire for fame, his diet spiralled into a dangerous pattern of overeating that resulted in his peak weight of 65 stone (approximately 413 kg). Media attention initially seemed to encourage this behaviour, with local restaurants reportedly feeding him for free. The sheer volume of food and drink he consumed is staggering and paints a vivid picture of the scale of his addiction.
A typical day's eating during this period, as documented in media reports and documentaries, was a marathon of unhealthy, high-calorie foods. His daily intake was an epic journey through the menus of Britain's worst dietary habits, a clear contrast to any standard, healthy meal plan.
A Typical Day of Consumption at Peak Weight
- Breakfast: A massive full English fry-up, consisting of approximately one pound of bacon and sausages, six to eight eggs, and fried bread.
- Lunch: Multiple portions of fish and chips, often with a large amount of curry.
- Dinner: Up to nine large portions of curry, served with over a kilogram of rice and several naan breads.
- Snacks and Drinks: Consumed up to 20 large bags of crisps, family-sized cream puddings, chocolate bars, and an incredible 12 to 17 litres of cola.
- Weekend Binge: His weekend consumption was even more extreme, including up to 40 pints of beer, spirits, and more takeaway curries.
The Wake-Up Call and Initial Diet Reduction
The turning point for Austin came in September 2005, largely triggered by a television documentary, Inside Britain's Fattest Man, that detailed the severe health risks he faced due to his size. Recognising the grave danger, he made a life-altering decision to drastically cut his daily calorie intake. In a bid to save his life, he reduced his consumption from a shocking 29,000 calories to a mere 1,500 calories per day.
This new, healthier approach to eating was a world away from his previous habits. His revised diet focused on moderation and lean, healthier foods, showing a significant commitment to change.
| Barry Austin's Diet Transformation: Before vs. After (2005) | Meal | Before Diet (Peak) | After Diet (Initial Change) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Large fry-up (1lb bacon/sausage, 6-8 eggs) | Small bacon sandwich (2 slices bacon, 1 egg) | |
| Lunch | Multiple portions fish and chips | Chicken salad sandwich | |
| Dinner | 7-9 portions curry, rice, naan | A single, lean dinner | |
| Drinks | 12-17 litres fizzy drinks, 40 pints beer (weekend) | Litres of water | |
| Snacks | 20+ bags crisps, family desserts | None reported |
Subsequent Efforts and the Long-Term Struggle
While Austin's initial weight loss was impressive, his journey was not a simple, linear path to success. The battle with addiction and the psychological factors behind his overeating continued to pose significant challenges. He often gained back weight and had to restart his efforts. In 2009, he weighed 40 stone and was reported to be starting a new plan to lose 10 stone. A later diet plan, reported in 2014, included muesli for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and lean meat with jacket potatoes for dinner. He also shifted from standard cola to a reduced-sugar version.
Austin’s later years were filled with regret and a desire to serve as a cautionary tale for others. He spoke openly about his belief that overeating is a psychological illness, and that his size was an addiction, not a choice. He even asked local takeaways and restaurants to refuse him service in an effort to get help. For more on his reflection on his condition, you can read What can we learn about morbid obesity from Britain's fattest man?.
Conclusion: The Diet as a Symptom of a Deeper Issue
Ultimately, Barry Austin's diet was more than just a collection of unhealthy choices; it was a symptom of a deep-seated psychological struggle with food addiction. His immense calorie intake was both a cause and a consequence of his morbid obesity. While he made significant efforts to change his life, his long-term health had already been irreparably damaged by decades of excessive consumption. His death in 2021 at the age of 52 from a heart attack serves as a final, tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of extreme eating habits. His story remains a powerful, if cautionary, lesson on the complex interplay between diet, psychology, and health.
