Fletcher, Horace, 1849-1919

Food and health faddist in the early 20th century. Self-taught nutritionist, lecturer, author, world traveler. Taught that food should be chewed 30-40 times before swallowing.

Fletcher, an American businessman, was best known for his writing and lectures on popular nutrition. His major innovation in eating habits, called Fletcherism, prescribed eating in small amounts only when hungry and chewing food thoroughly. He was president of the Health and Efficiency League of America, subsidized research on nutrition, and worked in Belgium during World War I teaching refugees his system of vital economics: how to make the most of their scant rations.

Horace Fletcher (1849-1919), an American businessman from Lawrence, Massachusetts, was best known for his writing and lectures on popular nutrition. His major innovation in eating habits, called Fletcherism, prescribed eating in small amounts only when hungry and chewing food thoroughly. Numerous celebrities of the time, such as John D. Rockefeller, Upton Sinclair, and Henry James, followed Fletcher's advice.

Fletcher was president of the Health and Efficiency League of America, subsidized research on nutrition, and worked in Belgium during World War I teaching refugees his system of vital economics: how to make the most of their scant rations.