What Was the Banting Diet Known For?

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

First popularized in the 1860s, the Banting diet is known for its focus on limiting carbohydrates in favor of consuming higher amounts of fat. Named after obese British undertaker William Banting, this eating plan became widely known through his influential booklet, Letter on Corpulence, which detailed his dramatic weight loss and improved health. It established one of the earliest foundations for modern low-carb, high-fat diets.

Quick Summary

The Banting diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan originated by William Banting in the 19th century and popularized by Tim Noakes. It prioritizes whole, unprocessed foods to promote fat burning and weight loss.

Key Points

Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat (LCHF) Focus: The Banting diet is most famously known for its emphasis on minimizing carbohydrate intake while increasing healthy fat consumption.
Pioneering Origin: It was one of the first popular weight loss regimens, established in the 19th century by William Banting, a British undertaker who detailed his success in a widely read pamphlet.
Promotion of Whole Foods: A core tenet of the Banting diet is the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods, with a strict avoidance of sugar and refined ingredients.
Modern Resurgence with Tim Noakes: The diet gained renewed popularity in the 21st century through Professor Tim Noakes, who adapted it into a four-phase plan with detailed food lists.
Association with Weight Loss: William Banting's personal success made the diet known as an effective method for significant weight reduction, and this association continues today.
Controversial But Influential: The diet is both praised for its health potential and criticized for its restrictive nature, yet it has undoubtedly influenced modern low-carb dietary trends like the ketogenic diet.
Emphasis on Natural Fats: Unlike low-fat diets, Banting is known for embracing healthy fats from sources like avocado, nuts, and butter as a primary energy source.

Origins and the Original Banting Diet

Named after the English undertaker William Banting, the diet rose to prominence in the mid-19th century. Banting, who struggled with his weight, found relief under the care of his physician, Dr. William Harvey, who recommended a new eating plan dramatically restricting starchy and sugary foods. In 1863, Banting published Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public, a personal testimonial detailing his struggles and success with the low-carb, high-fat approach. His experience was so widely recognized that the term "to bant" became a verb synonymous with dieting in some parts of the world.

The Dietary Principles of Banting

Central to both the original and modern versions of the Banting diet is minimizing carbohydrate intake to encourage the body to use fat for energy, leading to weight loss. The diet focuses on whole, unprocessed foods while avoiding sugar and refined carbohydrates. The modern form, popularized by Professor Tim Noakes, categorizes foods into tiered lists.

Green List (Eat Freely): Includes healthy fats, proteins, and low-carb vegetables.
Orange List (Eat in Moderation): Contains foods with higher carbohydrate counts, such as nuts and some fruits.
Red List (Avoid Completely): Consists of processed foods, refined sugars, grains, and high-starch vegetables.

Banting vs. Other Low-Carb Diets

While Banting is often compared to other low-carb eating plans, such as the Atkins or ketogenic diets, there are some key distinctions. The Banting approach emphasizes whole foods and includes different phases.


Feature	Banting Diet	Atkins Diet	Ketogenic (Keto) Diet
Carb Intake	Very low to low, depending on the phase.	Very low initially, increases in later phases.	Very low, typically under 50g per day, to induce ketosis.
Fat Intake	High, from natural and unprocessed sources.	High, but less emphasis on specific fat sources.	Very high, aiming for up to 80% of daily calories to achieve ketosis.
Protein Intake	Moderate amounts.	High levels of protein encouraged.	Moderate, excessive protein can prevent ketosis.
Phased Approach	Yes, modern Banting includes observation, restoration, transformation, and preservation phases.	Yes, a four-phase plan.	Not inherently phased; the goal is to maintain ketosis.
Food Quality	Strong emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods and avoidance of processed sugar.	Also promotes whole foods but less focused on specific fat quality.	Focuses on macronutrient ratios, but not all versions prioritize food quality as strictly as Banting.

Health Benefits and Criticisms

Proponents claim benefits beyond weight loss, including improved energy and blood sugar control. Eliminating processed foods and sugar leads to higher intake of nutrient-dense foods. Critics worry the restrictive nature is difficult to maintain and could lead to nutrient deficiencies due to the exclusion of certain food groups. Concerns about high saturated fat intake and cardiovascular risks have also been raised.

The Enduring Legacy of Banting

The Banting diet was one of the first popular low-carbohydrate weight loss plans, predating modern movements by over a century. Its revival demonstrates continued interest in LCHF lifestyles. William Banting’s efforts influence dietary discussions, and his name is still recognized as a verb for dieting. The emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods remains a universally praised aspect.

Note: Consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet.

How to Follow a Banting-Inspired Lifestyle

Focus on core principles: prioritize unprocessed proteins, healthy fats, and low-carb vegetables. Eliminate processed foods and sugar. Stay hydrated. If following the modern plan, be mindful of the phases.

Conclusion

The Banting diet is primarily known for its pioneering low-carbohydrate, high-fat principles from the 19th century. It gained acclaim for weight loss and remains foundational for modern low-carb movements. Modern interpretations by Tim Noakes added a tiered food list system. While praised for whole foods and potential benefits, it faces criticism regarding restrictiveness and sustainability. Its historical significance and influence are firmly established.

Final Recommendations

If considering the Banting diet, focus on its strengths: prioritizing whole foods and reducing refined sugars. Adapting principles rather than strict adherence may be better for long-term health. Consulting a healthcare professional is recommended before starting any new diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Banting diet is named after William Banting, a 19th-century British undertaker who detailed his successful weight loss journey on a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet prescribed by his doctor, William Harvey.

The main goal of the Banting diet is to encourage the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, leading to weight loss and improved metabolic health.

The Banting diet is similar to the keto diet in its low-carb, high-fat approach. However, modern Banting, popularized by Tim Noakes, uses a tiered food list system and includes different phases, whereas the keto diet is typically more focused on strict macronutrient ratios to achieve ketosis.

The Banting diet restricts refined sugars, processed foods, grains, starchy vegetables like potatoes, and certain high-sugar fruits. Modern interpretations use tiered 'Red' and 'Orange' lists to guide food choices.

Reported health benefits include weight loss, improved blood sugar control, increased energy levels, and better blood pressure, though more research is needed to fully clarify the long-term effects.

Some nutritionists express concern that the diet's restrictive nature may be difficult to sustain long-term and could lead to nutrient deficiencies. The high intake of fat has also raised some concerns about cardiovascular risk.

The term 'to bant' or 'banting' became synonymous with dieting in the 19th century due to the popularity of William Banting's weight loss story. It is still occasionally used to refer to a low-carb eating plan.

No, the Banting diet is not a modern fad. While it has seen a resurgence in popularity, its origins trace back to the mid-19th century, making it one of the earliest documented low-carbohydrate diets.