The Banting diet that has swept South African communities around the world is set for another boost as it emerges that Usain Bolt – world’s fastest man after yet another victorious Olympic Games – adheres to the key themes in his eating: high protein, low carbs. While a high protein, low carbohydrate approach has proven to be excellent for Bolt’s muscle repair and ultimately sporting performance, the Banting diet is impressive for non-sporty types too. Real life examples abound of South Africans of all ages and states of health shedding layers of fat and improving their lifestyles. There’s no real physical hardship with the diet, with ‘Bantingers’ eating huge helpings of egg, bacon and cheese for breakfast and big slabs of meat at other meals. It’s an expensive way to eat though, with definite “no no’s” including pastry, pasta, pizza, bread and other traditional cheap staples. The key proponent of the diet in South Africa, scientist Tim Noakes, has found himself at the centre of controversy for highlighting the benefits of Banting. Noakes prefers low carbohydrate, high fat as a variation of Banting. Revelations on the global stage that people like Bolt favour a similar dietary approach are likely to add to the throngs of people turning to this way of eating. While Banting for many is a lifestyle issue, it’s big business, too. Noakes has sold an estimated 250 000 copies of his book Real Meal Revolution. Banting restaurants are mushrooming around South Africa and retailers have adjusted their supermarket ranges to cater for an insatiable demand for all-things Banting. While the Banting trend has been particularly big in South Africa, it is starting to pick up elsewhere. Late last year it emerged that US government health officials had changed their minds about fat and cholesterol, saying that only a small portion of cholesterol in the blood is linked to food intake – a report that supports the Banting movement. Interest in Banting-style food plans is likely to gather steam as news travels that Bolt is effectively a Banting boy. For a sustainable business theme, look to Usain Bolt and ultimately to Banting. There’s a rich seam of commercial opportunity in helping to reverse high obesity levels in the UK and other mature economies. Olympic dreams – and throughout it all they have to adhere to strict dietary requirements. To find out what sort of food it takes to fuel Bolt’s Olympic efforts, it’s worth taking a closer look at an Olympic sprinter’s ideal diet.