Why read Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public?

Book cover of Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public

Book description

Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public is a booklet by William Banting, who is known for being the first to popularize a weight loss diet based on limiting the intake of carbohydrates, especially those of a starchy or sugary nature. The booklet contains the particular plan for the diet…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Letter on Corpulence, Addressed to the Public as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Roy Taylor

Author

First published in 1869, this short account describes the outrageous effects of ‘corpulence’ on the author’s daily life and his search for a solution. Routine advice was ineffective. For a decade he rowed a heavy boat on the river for two hours every morning. He ‘gained muscular vigour but with it a prodigious appetite’ and his weight increased. But eventually he found a doctor who had wise insight. He was advised to avoid foods that were easy to eat in quantity but did not satisfy appetite—bread, butter, beer, milk, sugar, and potatoes. He lost 50 pounds in weight, and over…

From Roy's list on The best books on type 2 diabetes: making sense of muddled advice.