Diets Through History: The Good, Bad, and Scary

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From the tapeworm diet to Weight Watchers, the high—and low—points in dieting history.

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Slimming down through the ages

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Fad diets come and go, but the idea of dieting itself has been around for centuries. From President Taft to Victoria Beckham, and the Grapefruit Diet to Slim-Fast, here's a look at some of the most famous (and infamous) moments in dieting history.

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1820

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Lord Byron popularizes the Vinegar and Water Diet, which entails drinking water mixed with apple cider vinegar.

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1903

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President William Howard Taft pledges to slim down after getting stuck in the White House bathtub.

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1925

Stanford University (tobacco.stanford.edu)

The Lucky Strike cigarette brand launches the "Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet" campaign, capitalizing on nicotine's appetite-suppressing superpowers.

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1930s

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The Grapefruit Diet—a.k.a. the Hollywood Diet—is born. The popular low-cal plan calls for eating grapefruit with every meal.

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1950s

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The Cabbage Soup Diet promises you can lose 10–15 pounds in a week by eating a limited diet including cabbage soup every day.

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Mid-1950s

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Urban legend has it that opera singer Maria Callas dropped 65 pounds on the Tapeworm Diet, allegedly by swallowing a parasite-packed pill.

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1963

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Weight Watchers is founded by Jean Nidetch, a self-described "overweight housewife obsessed with cookies."

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1970

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The Sleeping Beauty Diet, which involves sedation, is rumored to have been tried by Elvis.

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1975

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A Florida doctor creates the Cookie Diet, a plan where you eat cookies made with a blend of amino acids. Hollywood eats it up.

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1977

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Slim-Fast—a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, then a sensible dinner—becomes a diet staple.

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1978

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Herman Tarnower, MD, publishes The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet. Two years later he is shot by his girlfriend.

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1979

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Dexatrim, a diet drug containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA), appears on drugstore shelves. Its formula changes after PPA is linked to an increased risk of stroke in 2000.

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1980s

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A popular appetite-suppressing candy called Ayds is taken off the market after the AIDS crisis hits.

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1982

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The aerobics craze steps into high gear when Jane Fonda launches her first exercise video, Workout: Starring Jane Fonda. Her catch phrase: "No pain,  no gain."

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1983

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Jazzercise, founded in 1969 by professional dancer Judi Sheppard Missett, hits all 50 states.

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1985

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Harvey and Marilyn Diamond publish Fit for Life, which prohibits complex carbs and protein from being eaten during the same meal.

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1987

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In her memoir-slash-self-help book, Elizabeth Takes Off, actress Elizabeth Taylor advises dieters to eat veggies and dip each day at 3 p.m.

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1988

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Wearing a pair of size 10 Calvin Klein jeans, Oprah walks onto the set of her show, pulling a wagon full of fat to represent the 67 pounds she lost on a liquid diet.

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1991

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Americans go low-fat, eating foods like McDonald’s McLean Deluxe burger.

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1992

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Robert C. Atkins, MD, publishes Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, a high-protein, low-carb plan.

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1994

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The Guide to Nutrition Labeling and Education Act requires food companies to include nutritional info on nearly all packaging.

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1995

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The Zone Diet, which calls for a specific ratio of carbs, fat, and protein at each meal, begins to attract celeb fans.

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1999

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Victoria Beckham starts the blink-and-it’s-gone baby weight trend following the birth of her first son, Brooklyn.

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2000

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Gwyneth Paltrow lends cred to the Macrobiotic Diet, a restrictive Japanese plan based on whole grains and veggies.

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2001

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Renée Zellweger packs on nearly 30 pounds to play Bridget Jones. She quickly (and controversially) sheds the weight only to gain it back for the 2004 sequel.

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2003

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Miami doctor Arthur Agatston, MD, adds fuel to the low-carb craze by publishing The South Beach Diet, seen as a more moderate version of Atkins.

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Early 2004

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The FDA bans the sale of diet drugs and supplements containing ephedra after it's linked to heart attacks.

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Late 2004

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The Biggest Loser

makes its TV debut, turning weight loss into a reality show.

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2006

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Beyonce admits to using the Master Cleanse, a concoction of hot water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper, to shed 20 pounds for Dreamgirls.

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2007

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Alli hits the market. The nonprescription drug is taken with meals to keep your body from absorbing some of the food you eat.

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2010

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Jennifer Hudson loses a jaw-dropping 80 pounds on Weight Watchers.

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2011

HCG Diet

The HCG Diet, which combines a fertility drug with a strict 500- to 800-calorie-a-day regimen, invites interest—and criticism.

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2012

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Jessica Simpson loses 60 pounds of baby weight on Weight Watchers.

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Diets Through History: The Good, Bad, and Scary

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Slimming down through the ages

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1820

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1903

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1925

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1930s

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1950s

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Mid-1950s

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1963

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1970

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1975

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1977

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1978

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1979

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1980s

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1982

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1983

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1985

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1987

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1988

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1991

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1992

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1994

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1995

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1999

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2000

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