The 19th Century: Morality, Science, and the First Diets
Contrary to popular belief, diet culture is not a modern invention. Its true beginnings in America can be found in the 19th century, a period of significant social and technological change. This era saw the rise of the temperance movement and the broader push for moral reform, which extended into dietary habits.
Sylvester Graham and the Moral Diet
Perhaps one of the most significant figures in early American diet culture was Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham (1794–1851). He promoted a diet centered on grains, vegetables, and strict adherence to his prescribed regimen, believing it would purify the body and suppress sexual urges. Graham crackers, originally a bland, whole-wheat biscuit, were his creation. His philosophy introduced the powerful idea that food choices were not merely about health but were intrinsically tied to one's moral character and self-control. His teachings paved the way for associating a "good" diet with moral superiority.
The Banting and Salisbury Diets
In the mid-1800s, specific diet trends began to emerge. English undertaker William Banting published "A Letter on Corpulence" in 1863, detailing his success on a low-carb, high-protein diet prescribed by a doctor. The "Banting" diet became a sensation among the American middle class, who feared their increasingly sedentary lifestyles were making them weak. Similarly, Dr. James Henry Salisbury introduced a meat-only diet in 1888, advocating for meat patties to treat chronic illnesses. These early forays into fad dieting highlighted a growing obsession with achieving a specific body type and health through dietary restriction.
The Medicalization of Weight
Historians trace the formal medicalization of fatness to the late 19th century. While plumpness had traditionally been a sign of wealth, abundance, and health, new medical theories began to pathologize excess weight. The fear of "corpulence" and disease became a powerful motivator for dieting, shifting the perception of fat from a normal body state to a medical problem requiring a cure.
The Early 20th Century: Media, Flappers, and Calorie Counting
The early 1900s marked a dramatic acceleration of diet culture, fueled by mass media, changing fashion, and the popularization of scientific concepts like the calorie.
Lulu Hunt Peters and the Calorie
In 1918, physician Dr. Lulu Hunt Peters published the best-selling book Diet & Health: With Key to the Calories, which brought the concept of calorie counting to the masses. Peters' work framed fatness as unpatriotic and a waste of food resources, especially during a time of wartime rationing. This cemented the idea that managing calories was a civic duty, linking weight to behavior and national loyalty.
The Flapper and the Thin Ideal
The 1920s brought a significant shift in the ideal female body type. The flapper style, with its youthful, boyish silhouette, replaced the voluptuous hourglass figure of the previous century. Mass media—including magazines and movies—propagated this new thin ideal, creating intense pressure on women to conform. During this time, advertising also began to exploit body insecurity, with notorious campaigns like Lucky Strike cigarettes suggesting that smoking could curb appetite.
A List of Early 20th-Century Fad Diets
- Fletcherism (1903): Advocate Horace Fletcher suggested chewing every mouthful of food 32 times until it became a liquid.
- The Cigarette Diet (1920s): Ads encouraged women to "Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet" to control their appetite.
- The Grapefruit Diet (1930s): A restrictive diet claiming a chemical reaction with grapefruit burns fat.
Mid-20th Century: Convenience, Capitalism, and the Diet Industry
Following World War II, food production advancements led to an explosion of ultra-processed, high-calorie foods. The accompanying rise of the advertising and weight-loss industries cemented diet culture as a powerful capitalist force.
The Birth of Weight Watchers
In 1961, Weight Watchers (now WW) was founded, pioneering the organized weight-loss program format. Unlike previous fad diets, Weight Watchers framed weight loss as a lifestyle change managed through a points system. This approach normalized perpetual weight management, creating a loyal customer base and a highly profitable business model.
The Ultra-Processed Food Explosion
Food companies, using post-war technology, developed a massive supply of cheap, shelf-stable, and highly palatable ultra-processed foods. These products, often high in fat, sugar, and sodium, were aggressively marketed to American families. Ironically, as the food supply became more processed and calorie-dense, the diet industry grew exponentially to address the resulting weight gain.
Comparison of Early vs. Modern Diet Culture Influences
| Feature | 19th-Century Influences | Modern Era Influences |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Driver | Moralism and medicalization | Capitalism and mass media |
| Communication Medium | Books and public lectures | Social media and advertising |
| Social Pressure | Virtue and class status | Aesthetics and social validation |
| Perceived 'Authority' | Reformers and early physicians | Influencers and corporations |
| Diet Approach | Restrictive and moralistic | Fast-paced fads and 'wellness' trends |
The Modern Era: Social Media and the Acceleration of Diet Culture
In the 21st century, social media has become a primary driver of diet culture. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram allow diet fads and harmful misinformation to spread at an unprecedented rate.
The Rise of 'Wellness' and the Anti-Diet Movement
Today's diet culture often masquerades as a more benign "wellness" or "lifestyle" focus, but still promotes the belief that thin bodies are superior. This has led to a backlash in the form of the fat acceptance and body positivity movements, which challenge anti-fat bias and advocate for body diversity. However, the diet industry continues to adapt, often co-opting "wellness" language while promoting new products, from supplements to weight-loss medications like Ozempic.
The Capitalist Machine and Body Insecurity
The alliance between capitalism and diet culture is stronger than ever. The industry thrives by creating and exploiting body dissatisfaction, selling a constant stream of new products and plans. Research suggests that diets are often ineffective in the long term, and the cycle of failure benefits the companies, not the consumers. The current landscape shows how deeply entrenched diet culture has become, with its roots woven into centuries of American history.
For a deeper dive into the origins of American eating habits, consider exploring how industrialization changed food production and consumer expectations. See this detailed review: United States Dietary Trends Since 1800: Lack of Association Between Saturated Fatty Acid Consumption and Non-communicable Diseases - PMC.
Conclusion
From the 19th-century moral crusades of Sylvester Graham to the calorie-counting craze of the 1920s and the social media-fueled trends of today, diet culture in America has a long and complex history. It has been shaped by shifts in medicine, media, technology, and capitalism, consistently linking a person's body size to their moral worth, health, and social status. Recognizing these deep historical roots is essential to understanding its pervasive influence and challenging its harmful narratives today.
