Is Tim Noakes’ Banting Diet “Criminal”?

Cape Town seems to have taken to the ‘banting’ diet much more stringently than other cities in South Africa, and many of the restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon to cater for the cult-like following.

“I’m overwhelmed by what’s happening. I never planned this revolution. I never set out to change the world, it just happened,” said an incredibly modest Noakes regarding his book, The Real Meal Revolution, which is based on other researchers’ theories.

Eating establishments are now altering and adding items to their menus in order to attract ‘banters’ across the Mother City.

“They are responding to consumer demand. It’s adapt or die,” proclaimed Noakes.

The UCT professor also said that vegan diets aren’t responsible and are a “complete disaster.”

There has been some resistance to Noakes’ rallying though, as cardiologist Dr Anthony Dalby described Noakes’ advice to heart patients to exchange cholesterol-lowering drugs for his diet as “criminal”.

It could exacerbate heart disease, worsen diabetes and osteoporosis and cause gall and kidney stones, says Van der Merwe, honorary Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Pretoria.

“If you have got familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), the chances that you will develop a sinister cholesterol profile is a reality,” she added

What are your thoughts on the high-fat, low-carb diet? Let us know in the comments section below.