To these crazy diets believed the poets and thinkers of the 19th century - The bizarre diets of 19th-century literary giants revealed

The eating habits of famous 19th-century writers and thinkers were often as unusual as their works. From extreme diets to bizarre food choices, figures like Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, and Percy Shelley followed routines that would raise eyebrows today. Their culinary quirks reveal both personal struggles and the medical beliefs of their time.

Lord Byron took drastic measures to manage his weight. At one point, he survived on little more than biscuits, water, boiled potatoes, and vinegar. He also wrapped himself in layers of wool to sweat off excess pounds, a method far removed from modern dieting advice.

Percy Shelley stood out as an early advocate of vegetarianism, inspired by the ancient philosophy of Pythagoras. His stance was radical for the era, when meat-heavy diets were the norm. Charles Darwin's relationship with food was troubled. Chronic stomach issues plagued him, leading to frequent vomiting. Though doctors prescribed bland meals, he often ignored their advice, favouring cheese omelets and small servings of game or poultry. As a student, he even joined the 'Glutton Club,' where members dined on exotic meats. John Keats endured an extreme fasting cure under his doctor's orders. His daily intake was limited to a single anchovy and a scrap of bread. Meanwhile, Lewis Carroll incorporated opium into his diet, consuming it in snack form—a habit tied to the era's lax attitudes toward the drug. Charles Dickens, ever practical, swore by baked apples to ward off seasickness. He claimed they eased dizziness when transitioning from sea to land, a remedy likely born of personal experience.

These unusual diets reflect both personal eccentricities and the medical knowledge of the 1800s. Some, like Shelley's vegetarianism, were ahead of their time, while others, such as Darwin's stomach troubles or Byron's extreme fasting, highlight the era's limited understanding of nutrition. Their choices, whether by necessity or conviction, remain a fascinating footnote in literary and scientific history.