Edward H. Dewey

Edward H. Dewey (1864–1938) was an American physician known for his work in the field of dietetics and nutrition. Dewey's contributions to the understanding of the role of meal timing and frequency in health and disease prevention were pioneering and have influenced various dietary practices and theories that followed.

Born in the United States, Dewey received his medical degree and began practicing medicine with a conventional approach. However, his interest in the effects of fasting and meal frequency on health emerged from his observations of patients and his own experiences. Dewey became a strong advocate for what he termed "therapeutic fasting" and the benefits of eating fewer meals, a practice he believed could prevent and cure a range of diseases.

Dewey's most notable work, "The No-Breakfast Plan and the Fasting-Cure," published in 1900, argued against the conventional wisdom of his time that emphasized the importance of a hearty breakfast. Instead, Dewey suggested that skipping breakfast could lead to better health and longevity. His ideas were controversial and met with skepticism from many in the medical community, but they also gained a following among those looking for alternative health practices.

Throughout his career, Dewey emphasized the importance of listening to the body's natural hunger signals rather than adhering to a strict meal schedule. He believed that many common ailments were the result of overeating and that the body could heal itself if given a rest from constant digestion.

Dewey's work laid the groundwork for later developments in dietetics and nutrition, including intermittent fasting and the understanding of metabolism's role in health. Despite the initial controversy surrounding his ideas, Dewey is now recognized as a pioneer in the field of nutrition and a proponent of the idea that less can be more when it comes to eating for health.