When we compare modern-day life with the past I think we can almost certainly say that we've become more image-conscious than ever before. This is probably thanks to shifts in society and the excessive use of social media and our constant access to photos, both taking and scrutinising them. We all want to look our best, and that desire has set the bar quite high.
Some folks spend countless hours at the gym, munching on broccoli, and sipping water, even hesitating to enjoy themselves. Looking after ourselves is undoubtedly important, but for some, it's taken to the extreme.
Then there's the other extreme—the ones who wake up one late June morning, realizing they're far from 'beach body ready' and desperately search for a quick fix.
So that’s where the world of 'crash diets’ enters into the equation promising miraculous weight loss like shedding 5 kilos in just 3 days. But, realistically, we all know how that usually ends.
This week, I’m going to be talking to you about the history of dieting and rapid weight loss. You might be surprised by what I've uncovered."
USEFUL VOCABULARY
To set the bar high - To establish very high standards or expectations for something, often implying a challenging or demanding level of performance or achievement.
To shed - to get rid of - lose something, often referring to the act of losing weight or disposing of unnecessary items. It can also mean to cast off or discard, such as shedding old skin or clothes.
A quick fix - A quick solution
Going back in time
It seems to be wired into our brains that we should look a certain way and people through the ages have come up with ways to adapt their bodies to certain fashions.
Throughout history, there have been times when being thin was fashionable and also being on the more plump side of the spectrum - what a relief that must have been!! 😂
If we go back as far as the Egyptians, they believed that certain foods held the key to the perfect body. One of their things was mixing honey and vinegar to help shed the pounds and be in tip-top condition.
In Ancient Greece, Pythagoras fully advocated a vegetarian diet - which to some extent is still a valid contribution to modern-day diets.
The Renaissance is the period in history where there was a huge shift in the concept of beauty. Pale pink skin and plump bodies were all the rage. It was fashionable to be chubby. However, in order to get the perfect skin colour, people often resorted to taking toxic substances in the name of vanity.
The 20th Century was when a huge amount of fad diets were cropping up everywhere. Some of them are totally absurd and to even think that some people have done them makes me question the future of humankind!
USEFUL VOCABULARY
To be all the rage - to be extremely popular or fashionable at a particular time, often used to describe trends, styles, or activities
To crop up - To appear or occur unexpectedly or suddenly, often referring to something that was not previously anticipated or
Find two synonyms for the word fat: Plump and chubby.
Let’s go on to talk about the craziness of 20th-century diets!
If you take a look back you will find all kinds of miraculous diets but here I am going to highlight the ones that surprised me the most.
The Tapeworm Diet
This diet dates back to the early 20th century and it is where people would swallow a live tapeworm larvae which would hatch out in their stomachs. The tapeworm would then consume the food in their stomachs and they would lose weight, become malnourished and probably get some serious infections. Do not try this at home, folks! Luckily, it is no longer a thing.
To swallow - To move food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach by using your throat muscles. It's a basic function of eating and drinking.
To hatch - To emerge or come out of an egg, typically referring to the process by which young birds or reptiles break through the shell and enter the world.
It’s no longer a thing - It’s no longer popular or fashionable
The Air Diet
I am actually chuckling to myself while thinking about this. This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. Apparently, this diet is based on the idea that humans can solely sunlight with sunlight and air. It even has a name - it’s called Breatharianism. I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian, I am a breatharian! Breatharians absorb, apparently, all the nutrients they need from the air. Call me sceptical, but I don’t know how that can be possible in this day and age with so much pollution! I think this diet’s days are numbered!
To chuckle: To emit a soft laugh, usually in response to something mildly funny or amusing. A chuckle is a quieter and less intense form of laughter.
Something’s days are numbered: Refers to something having a limited amount of time left before it ends.
The Cigarette Diet
Did you know that in the early 1930s, the cigarette companies latched on to the marketing idea that cigarettes were an appetite suppressant and therefore were brilliant for keeping hunger at bay - Don’t worry about your lungs being destroyed, as long as you were thin…
To latch on to - to adopt an attitude to gain benefit.
To keep something at bay - To prevent or hold off something undesirable or harmful from approaching, affecting, or harming you.
The Sleeping Beauty Diet
This may be Brad Pitt’s perfect diet ( he loves sleeping, in case you didn’t know). This diet involves taking sleeping pills in order to sleep for a long period of time. The theory behind it is that if you are sleeping for long periods of time, you can’t be eating and therefore you will lose weight! The potential health risks of being constantly sedated were obviously not taken into account when this diet was thought up.
The Cotton Ball diet
Yes, people have even gone to the extreme of swallowing cotton wool balls in order to lose weight. Absolute madness! It doesn’t matter that cotton wool balls are not meant for consumption, just dip them in a liquid such as juice and swallow them. Your hunger will automatically be suppressed!
To not be meant for - are not intended for / not designed for
To swallow (see above - tapeworm diet)
The Cabbage Soup Diet (1980s)
This one consists of making a watery grey cabbage soup and consuming nothing else for days on end. What a sad existence! It does apparently lead to weight loss but it is no wonder if you aren’t taking in any nutrients.
The Baby Food Diet
And of course, last but not least… The baby food diet. This has started to come about again and it is just as the title suggests. You only eat jars of baby food and you shed pounds. It’s no wonder you lose weight as you consume very few calories.
It’s no wonder - It’s no surprise
Which of these diets do you find the most absurd? Can you believe people actually tried some of these bizarre approaches to weight loss? If you know of any other crazy diets from the last century or have any dieting stories to share, I'd love to hear from you.
It's clear that throughout history, people have been willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve their ideal bodies. While some of these diets may seem comical now, they serve as a reminder of the importance of approaching weight loss and health with balance and a focus on sustainable practices.
In future articles, we'll explore modern-day dieting trends until then, remember that when it comes to diet and health, the most effective and lasting changes often involve a combination of informed choices, balanced eating, and regular physical activity.
Common mistake:
“To do a diet” - In English, you can’t do a diet
The correct way:
* You follow a diet
* You go on a diet
* We can say “to be on a diet”
Jokes!
* I’m on the seafood diet - I see food and eat it!
* I keep trying to lose weight but it keeps finding me.
That’s all folks! Thanks for listening! Please like and share.❤️
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