What Was the Fad Diet in 1863? Uncovering William Banting's Low-Carb Plan

December 23, 2025 •

3 min read

In 1863, an English undertaker named William Banting published a self-help pamphlet that quickly became a sensation, pioneering the idea of a low-carb diet for weight loss. His publication, Letter on Corpulence, detailed a revolutionary eating plan that represented the definitive answer to the query, 'What was the fad diet in 1863?'.

Quick Summary

The popular 1863 weight loss plan was the Banting diet, a low-carbohydrate, high-fat regimen documented by William Banting in his viral pamphlet, Letter on Corpulence.

Key Points

The Banting Diet: The fad diet in 1863, a low-carb eating plan popularized by undertaker William Banting.
Origin of the Plan: Aural surgeon Dr. William Harvey advised Banting to cut out sugar and starch to treat his obesity and deafness.
Dietary Restrictions: The diet involved avoiding bread, sugar, milk, beer, and starchy vegetables like potatoes.
Publication: Banting published his experience in a pamphlet, Letter on Corpulence, which became a widely read bestseller.
Cultural Impact: The word 'banting' became synonymous with 'dieting' in England and laid the foundation for modern low-carb approaches.
Health Improvements: Banting reported significant weight loss (46 pounds) and improved mobility and hearing by following the plan.

Who Was William Banting?

William Banting (1796-1878) was a prosperous English undertaker and carpenter from Victorian London. Despite leading an active lifestyle, Banting found himself struggling with severe obesity as he grew older. By 1862, at the age of 64, he weighed 202 pounds, a significant burden for his 5'5" frame. This corpulence led to numerous health issues, including deafness, knee pain, an umbilical rupture, and general physical discomfort that impacted his daily life. After years of trying various unsuccessful treatments prescribed by different doctors, Banting was at his wits' end.

The Encounter with Dr. Harvey

His luck changed when he sought help for his hearing problems from an aural surgeon, Dr. William Harvey. Harvey, having recently attended a lecture on diabetes and the liver's role in processing sugar and starch, connected Banting's obesity to his diet. This was a novel idea for the time, as the link between diet composition and weight was not widely accepted. Dr. Harvey's prescribed plan was radical for the mid-19th century: severely restrict carbohydrates while increasing protein and fat intake.

The Banting Diet Revealed

Banting's plan focused on eliminating or drastically reducing specific food groups believed to cause corpulence. He was instructed to avoid what were termed 'starch and saccharine matter'.

Foods Banting avoided:

Sugar
Bread and pastries
Milk
Butter (originally believed to contain starch)
Beer and other sugary alcoholic beverages (port, champagne)
Potatoes and other starchy vegetables

Foods Banting consumed:

Protein: Beef, mutton, broiled fish, bacon, kidneys, and game.
Fat: Healthy fats found in meats and certain foods.
Vegetables: Non-starchy vegetables.
Fruit: Fruit from a pudding (without the pastry), a few ounces of fruit at tea.
Beverages: Dry wines (claret, sherry, Madeira), grog (gin, whisky, brandy without sugar), and tea (without milk or sugar).

Banting's Success and Public Influence

Within a year of adopting this new dietary regime, Banting achieved remarkable results. He lost 46 pounds and 12¼ inches from his waist. Crucially, many of his associated ailments improved dramatically, including his deafness, joint pain, and mobility. He was so impressed that he decided to share his story, self-publishing Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public in 1863. The pamphlet became an overnight sensation, as Banting's credibility as a respected layman gave weight to his personal testimonial. The term "banting" entered the English language as a verb synonymous with dieting and continued to be widely used for decades. The pamphlet's reach extended globally, influencing weight loss practices well into the 20th century. You can read the original text online via resources like the Wellcome Collection.

Reception and Legacy

While immensely popular with the public, the Banting diet sparked controversy within the medical community. Many physicians dismissed the diet as unscientific and took issue with a layman's advice overshadowing their own expertise. Later, a German doctor, Felix Niemeyer, adapted the plan to align with prevailing theories, shifting the emphasis to a low-fat, high-protein approach, which became the standard for many subsequent diet fads. However, Banting's original low-carb, high-fat philosophy remains a key historical precedent for modern low-carbohydrate diets like Keto and Atkins.

Comparison to Modern Low-Carb Diets


Feature	The Banting Diet (1863)	Modern Keto Diet (Example)
Carb Source Restriction	Strict avoidance of starchy foods, sugar, and flour-based products.	Extreme carb restriction (under 20-50g/day) to induce ketosis.
Fat Emphasis	Moderate to high fat from meat and healthy sources.	Very high fat (60-80% of calories) to fuel ketosis.
Protein Intake	Moderate protein intake.	Moderate protein to avoid gluconeogenesis, but higher than Banting.
Foods Allowed	Meat, fish, non-starchy vegetables, some fruit, dry wines.	Meat, fish, eggs, cheese, high-fat dairy, low-carb vegetables, nuts, seeds.
Beverages	Tea (no milk/sugar), dry wines, grog.	Water, coffee, tea, unsweetened almond milk, some alcohol in moderation.
Processed Foods	Focus on whole, unprocessed foods.	Focus on whole foods, but allows for keto-friendly packaged products.

Conclusion

What was the fad diet in 1863 was more than just a passing trend; it was a watershed moment in the history of weight loss. William Banting's account not only validated a low-carbohydrate approach but also created the template for the modern diet book: a personal testimonial combined with a detailed plan. His name became a verb, and his revolutionary idea laid the groundwork for the low-carb movements that continue to influence weight management and nutrition today. Banting's success story and the widespread popularity of his booklet cemented his legacy as the father of the modern low-carbohydrate diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

The popular diet in 1863 was the Banting diet, a low-carbohydrate eating plan based on consuming meat, fish, and non-starchy vegetables while avoiding sugar, starch, and flour.

The Banting diet was created based on the recommendations of Dr. William Harvey, an aural surgeon who advised his patient, William Banting, to restrict carbohydrates to manage his obesity.

William Banting wrote Letter on Corpulence to share his successful experience with a low-carbohydrate diet, which helped him lose significant weight and alleviate various health problems.

The Banting diet restricted foods high in sugar and starch, such as bread, sugar, milk, beer, and potatoes.

The Banting diet was controversial; while it worked for Banting and many followers, some in the medical community at the time viewed it with suspicion because it contradicted established norms and was promoted by a non-medical professional.

The Banting diet is considered a major milestone in diet culture, popularizing the low-carbohydrate approach and creating the model for the modern diet book as a personal testimonial.

Yes, the Banting diet is seen as a precursor to modern low-carb, high-fat diets like the Atkins and Keto diets, though Banting's original plan was more moderate in its approach than some modern versions.