The low-carbohydrate diet, however, can be traced back further, to an undertaker in London named William Banting. In 1863, he published an unusual diet in a popular book titled Letter on Corpulence.

Banting had suffered from weight problems for 20 years, and sought help from leading doctors. But only when he followed an odd diet prescribed by an ear specialist did Banting lose weight. Banting lost 46 pounds in a year, and kept the weight off.

The diet calls for no bread, butter, milk, sugar, beer or potatoes, but it allows meat, except for pork.

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