The Banting diet has a long and complicated history. It was first proposed in the 1860s by a British undertaker named William Banting. He had been struggling with his weight for years and claimed that he’d finally found the answer in a diet low in carbohydrates. The Banting diet quickly caught on, and by the early 1900s, it was one of the most popular diets in the world. But as with any fad diet, there were skeptics. The medical community was largely skeptical of the Banting diet, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that it began to be taken seriously again (6). In the early 2000s, a new wave of interest in low-carb diets began, led by doctors like Robert Atkins and Tim Noakes. The Banting diet and various versions of it suddenly became popular again, and it has remained one of the most popular diets in the world ever since. So, how does the Banting diet work? Read on to find out.
The original Banting diet was very simple: eat as much meat, fat, and vegetables as you want, and avoid sugar, starch, and beer (6). This is still the basic premise of the diet today.
The Banting diet is based on the theory that carbohydrates are the main cause of weight gain (2).
When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into sugar, which is used for energy with any excess being stored as fat. By avoiding carbohydrates, you can supposedly lose weight without having to calorie count or exercise (2).
Tim Noakes, one of the most prominent proponents of the Banting diet, claims that it’s not just about weight loss. He says that the Banting diet can also help improve your overall health by reducing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (12).
In his book, The Real Meal Revolution, Noakes revised the original Banting diet into four distinct phases.
For the first week, you’re simply supposed to observe and take note of how your body reacts to different foods. There’s no strict list of what you can and can’t eat, but Noakes recommends avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, bread, pastries, rice, pasta, potatoes, fruit, and beer.
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Depending on how much weight you need to lose, you’ll spend anywhere from two to twelve weeks in phase 2. This phase is designed to restore gut health and jumpstart weight loss. During this phase, you’ll slowly acclimatize to the low-carbohydrate diet.
You’ll start to follow Noakes’ food list which classifies foods as:
Phase 3 is the fat burning stage of the Banting diet. The goal is to achieve ketosis, a state in which your body is using fat for energy instead of carbs. To achieve ketosis, you’ll need to stick to the green and orange foods on the food list.
You’ll also need to test your ketone levels regularly to make sure you’re in ketosis. This can be done with urine strips, breathalyzer, or blood tests.
Once you reach your goal weight, you’ll need to stay in phase 4 for the rest of your life to maintain your weight loss. The maintenance phase is similar to phase 3, but you can add in some of the light red and gray foods back into your diet.
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There is limited research on the Banting diet’s effectiveness for weight loss. However, there’s some evidence supporting the Low Carb, High Fat (LCHF) approach. Here is how it works:
When you restrict carbohydrates, your body is forced to burn fat for energy. This process is known as ketosis.
Ketosis has several possible benefits, including weight loss, reduced hunger, and improved mental clarity (11).
A meta-analysis found that people who followed a very low-carb diet lost more weight than those who followed a low-fat diet (11).
Another study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that a low-carb diet was more effective for weight loss than a low-fat diet (13).
There are several mechanisms that explain how the LCHF diet might cause weight loss.
First, when you restrict carbohydrates, your body is forced to burn fat for energy. This process is known as ketosis and it has several possible benefits, including weight loss, reduced hunger, and improved mental clarity (11).
Second, low-carb diets tend to be higher in protein and fiber, both of which are satiating nutrients that promote fullness and reduce hunger (13).
Thirdly, the thermogenic effect of eating protein is higher than that of carbohydrates and fat, meaning that your body burns more calories digesting protein (13).
Fourthly, low-carb diets tend to reduce water weight, which can lead to quick initial weight loss (13).
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Following a LCHF diet like the Banting diet may have other health benefits:
Metabolic markers are biomarkers that indicate how well your metabolism is functioning. Several studies have shown that low-carb diets can improve metabolic markers, including (9):
A review of 23 studies found that both low-carb and low-fat diets can improve all of these markers (5).
Inflammation is a normal immune response that helps protect the body from infection and injury. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to a variety of health problems (3).
Low-carb diets have been shown to reduce inflammation markers in the blood. This effect might be credited to the reduced intake of pro-inflammatory foods, such as refined carbs and sugar, and the increased intake of anti-inflammatory foods, such as fatty fish and olive oil (3).
In one study, people with obesity who followed a low-carb diet for eight weeks had significantly lower levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) than those who followed a low-fat diet (3).
A study in mice found that a ketogenic diet can help protect the brain from damage caused by traumatic brain injury by reducing inflammation and improving nerve function (8).
Test tube and animal studies also suggest that one ketone in particular may help protect neurons in models of Alzheimer’s disease (11).
Banting applies the same principles as the ketogenic diet and may have similar effects on brain health, however more research is needed to understand the implications in humans.
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While the Banting diet is generally thought to be safe for those who aren’t pregnant and who don’t have any medical conditions, there are a few potential risks to be aware of:
Highly restrictive diets are often difficult to follow long-term and may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
The Banting diet is a prime example of this, as it eliminates entire food groups, including fruits, starchy vegetables, legumes, and dairy.
This lack of variety can make the diet difficult to stick to in the long run and may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
For example, eliminating dairy means you’ll miss out on important nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D.
Additionally, cutting out starchy vegetables and legumes can lead to a lack of fiber in the diet. Fiber is important for gut health and promoting regularity (7).
Saturated fat is the type of fat that is most associated with heart disease (4). Like most LCHF diets, the Banting diet includes large amounts of saturated fat.
Animal protein, such as red meat and full-fat dairy, is also high in saturated fat. While this type of fat isn’t necessarily a problem in small amounts, eating too much of it can increase your risk of heart disease (4).
Additionally, the Banting diet includes large amounts of animal protein, which has been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer (1).
To reduce your risk of these health problems, it’s important to limit your intake of saturated fat and animal protein. Lean poultry, fish, and plant-based proteins are all good alternatives.
The Banting diet is safe for most people, but there are a few potential side effects to be aware of, such as (14):
These side effects are typically mild and go away on their own as your body adjusts to the diet. However, if you experience any severe or persistent side effects, stop following the diet and consult your doctor.
Following a high-fat diet like Banting may increase your risk of kidney stones. This is because eating more fat can lead to higher levels of calcium in the urine (10).
Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They are typically painless but can cause severe pain if they become lodged in the urinary tract (10).
If you have a history of kidney stones, you may want to avoid following the Banting diet or any other high-fat diet.
If you’re interested in trying the Banting diet, there are a few things you should know. First, the diet is not for everyone. If you have diabetes or another medical condition, you should speak to your doctor before starting the diet. Pregnant women should not limit their carbohydrate intake.
Second, the diet can be difficult to follow. It’s very restrictive and requires you to give up many foods that you may enjoy.
Third, the diet may not be sustainable in the long-term. This is because it’s very difficult to stick to such a restrictive diet for a long period of time.
Fourth, the diet may not be safe for everyone. Some people may experience side effects such as fatigue, headaches, and constipation (14). If you experience any of these side effects, speak to your doctor.
If you want to try the Banting diet, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success:
Meal planning is essential on the Banting diet. This is because you’ll need to be very mindful of the foods you’re eating and make sure you’re getting enough nutrients.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when meal planning:
It’s important to listen to your body when following the Banting diet. This is because the diet can be very restrictive and may not be right for everyone.
If you’re feeling fatigued, headaches, constipation, or any other side effects, speak to your doctor. They may recommend that you stop following the diet.
Additionally, if you’re struggling to stick to the diet, it may not be right for you. It’s important to find a diet that you can stick to in the long-term.
Since the Banting diet eliminates entire food groups, it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients. This is especially important if you’re following the diet for an extended period of time.
Some nutrients you may need to focus on that may be lacking on the diet include:
If you’re struggling to get enough of these nutrients from food, speak to your doctor. They may recommend supplements to help you meet your needs.
The Banting diet is a safe and effective weight loss tool that can also improve various other health markers. However, it is a highly restrictive diet that may be difficult to follow over the long-term.
If you’re considering following the Banting diet, speak to your doctor first to make sure it’s right for you. They can help you create a personalized plan and provide guidance on how to make the diet sustainable in the long term.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!