The carnivore diet is essentially a diet that is high in protein and devoid of carbohydrates. While increasing protein intake and reducing carb consumption, especially refined carbs, can be a healthy choice for certain individuals, the carnivore diet takes this concept to an extreme level.
This diet shares similarities with other popular dietary patterns such as keto, low carb, and high protein. Recent consumer surveys have shown a high demand for these approaches, and the carnivore diet aligns with specific aspects of these patterns, particularly very low carbohydrate and high protein intake.
However, the question remains: is it truly safe to solely consume animal products and completely eliminate carbohydrates from your diet? Here is what you need to know about the carnivore diet.
The carnivore diet originated from a book published in 2019 by Dr. Shawn Baker. In his book and on his website, Dr. Baker shares stories of patients who have successfully managed or even reversed autoimmune conditions and/or diabetes by adopting this diet. He also presents evidence supporting its effectiveness for weight loss and mental health. Additionally, the book offers recipes, meal plans, and tools to help incorporate the diet into your daily routine.
This dietary pattern eliminates all plant-based foods and relies solely on animal products, primarily meat, eggs, and small amounts of dairy, as the main sources of nourishment. Advocates of the diet provide anecdotal evidence suggesting that it can aid in weight loss, improve metabolic markers, and even reverse certain autoimmune conditions. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is currently lacking.
If you choose to follow the carnivore diet, your food list will mainly consist of meat, fish, eggs, some animal products like yogurt and bone broth, and seasonings like salt and pepper.
It is important to note that adopting a carnivore diet means giving up fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and unsaturated fats like extra virgin olive oil. This highly restrictive nature of the diet may make it difficult to sustain in the long term.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2023 found that extreme dietary habits could have a negative impact on mortality risk. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the potential risks associated with the carnivore diet before deciding to follow it.
0 Comments