1. Prelude to Atkins
The Atkins diet is nothing new. In the 1800s, an obese London undertaker, William Banting, wrote the first low carbohydrate diet. The word, "banting" is still used in Sweden to mean dieting. He tried everything and yet he kept getting bigger and bigger. When he started losing his hearing, his doctor told him that all his ailments were directly related to his weight. The doctor gave him a meal plan, which he followed and lost weight. To share his success, Banting published a pamphlet called "Letter of Corpulence," in which he described his experience. The news caught on and others began to follow his advice because they could relate to his struggles.
2. First Low-Carb Diet
The diet that Banting followed, though no one really understood the physiology was a precursor the Atkins-like idea of losing weight--to limit carbohydrates. Six foods were strictly prohibited. They were butter, beer, and bread, sugar and potatoes. Sound familiar? The diet went on to advise dieters to eat only vegetables that were grown above ground and to cook fruit without sugar. Banting ate four small meals instead of three large ones.
3. Not a new Diet Idea
In 1992, Dr. Robert Atkins wrote his book, "New Diet Revolution," and Banting's medical findings were validated. The Banta Diet closely follows the Atkins Diet plan. Fats and proteins provide the main bulk of this diet. While Atkins says that exercise is an important adjunct to overall weight loss, Banting raved about the fact that he did not have to exercise to see his dramatic changes.
4. Current Banta Dieters
Today, nutritionists and the Banta Diet followers agree that exercise is important to total health. Exercise protects against insulin sensitivity, the ultimate curse for people who crave sugar and other carbohydrates. Furthermore, aerobic activity is encouraged to control abdominal fat, where the carbs like to lodge. While dieting on a Banta or Atkins plan, start running, join an aerobics class or find other ways to increase your heart rate at least 30 minutes per day.
5. Calories Still Count
While the success of the Banta diet depends on counting grams of carbs, you will always see an association between calories and body weight. The point of a low-carb, high protein diet is that carbs increase appetite for some people. By eating fewer carbs, they actually will crave fewer calories naturally. Find a meal plan that limits carbs, not excludes them entirely; your body needs a certain amount of carbs for maximum health.
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