Diet Resolution Week – January 1, 2027

History of Diet Resolution Week

An English doctor called George Cheyne started the first public diet. He consumed large quantities of rich food and drink which made him overweight. Cheyne began a meatless diet that included only milk and vegetables. This diet helped him become healthy. George Cheyne publicly recommended his diet as a solution for obesity. In 1724, he published his work “An Essay of Health and Long Life” where he recommended healthy lifestyle choices like exercise, getting fresh air, and avoiding rich foods.

In 1797, John Rollo, a Scottish military surgeon, published his work “Notes of a Diabetic Case.” Rolo wrote about how a meat diet can be beneficial to those who have diabetes. This diet was developed for those suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.

In 1863, an Englishman called William Banting wrote a booklet called “Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public.” Banting advertised his version of a healthy diet, popularly known as ‘Banting’. This diet comprised four meals per day which included meat, greens, fruits, and dry wine. William Banting aimed to create a no-carb diet that we are all now familiar with. He eliminated foods like sugar, starch, beer, milk, and butter. This pamphlet was contemporary and relevant for years beyond William Banting’s time. Modern diets have also been inspired by his diet. Banting became popular for a cool advertising gimmick in the form of a question on the pamphlet saying, “Do you bant?”. This catchphrase popularized the diet plan.

In 1918, Lulu Hunt Peters wrote her book, “Diet and Health: With Key to the Calories.” This became the first weight-loss book to achieve bestseller status. It was also the first weight-loss book that promoted counting calories.

It was estimated that over 1000 weight-loss diets have been developed by 2014.