To these crazy diets believed the poets and thinkers of the 19th century - How 19th-century British writers starved, snacked, and experimented their way to health

Nineteenth-century British writers and thinkers often adopted unusual diets to manage health or weight. Some methods were extreme, while others reflected personal beliefs. A few of these habits, like vegetarianism, have lasted far longer than the era itself. Lord Byron took drastic measures to stay slim. He ate mostly biscuits, water, boiled potatoes, and vinegar. At times, he wrapped himself in thick wool to sweat off extra weight.

Percy Shelley became one of the earliest modern advocates of vegetarianism, inspired by Pythagoras. Yet his commitment wavered, and he later returned to eating meat. Unlike many quirky diets of the time, vegetarianism remained popular long after the 19th century. Charles Darwin struggled with chronic stomach issues. As a student, he belonged to the 'Glutton Club', which experimented with exotic meats. Later in life, he stuck to simple meals like cheese omelets and small servings of game or poultry. John Keats followed a strict fasting plan under his doctor's orders. Some days, he ate only a single anchovy and a piece of bread. Meanwhile, Charles Dickens believed baked apples could ward off seasickness and relieve dizziness. Lewis Carroll took a different approach by consuming opium in snack form. His habit was far from typical, even among the eccentric diets of his peers.

These writers and thinkers tried everything from extreme fasting to unusual foods for health or personal reasons. While most of their methods faded, vegetarianism endured well beyond their time. Their diets offer a glimpse into the quirks and struggles of 19th-century intellectual life.