Have you heard of the Carnivore Diet? Can it help us lose weight? Is it a healthy choice? Read on for more.

What is the Carnivore Diet?

The Carnivore Diet is a diet plan that includes only foods of animal origin. It is a form of ketogenic diet focused on high protein intake, with very low carbohydrates. What sets the Carnivore Diet apart is the complete exclusion of plant-based carbohydrates and fats. The only permitted foods are:

• Meat
• Fish
• Eggs
• Dairy products of animal origin
• Animal fat
• Animal bone broth

Why has the Carnivore Diet received so much interest from the public?

Supporters of the carnivore diet believe that it helps with rapid weight loss. This belief is reinforced by the increasing number of people on social media who claim that adopting the Carnivore Diet helps them control their weight and stay fit. In the short term, such a restrictive diet can reduce overall calorie intake by cutting out many high-calorie processed foods, like sweets, crisps, soft drinks, and ready meals.

Is carnivore diet scientifically supported?

So far, there are no scientific studies supporting the positive effects of the Carnivore Diet on weight loss and long-term health maintenance.

Effects of the Carnivore Diet

Excluding entire food groups can lead to micronutrient deficiencies. The absence of fruits and vegetables from the diet results in a lack of essential vitamins. For example, antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are associated with a lower risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and various types of cancer. Additionally, fiber helps maintain bowel function. On the other hand, animal-based foods, which are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, are linked to an increased risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Finally, such a restrictive diet is not sustainable in the long term. People who follow these diets often cycle through various diet plans, viewing diet solely as a means of weight management. It is better, therefore, to avoid extreme measures and understand that the solution lies in balance. A balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, has proven to be the best choice for maintaining health.

For more information on diets that promise immediate weight loss, such as the Carnivore Diet, you read the article FAD diets-What are they?

Bibliography

Lennerz BS, Mey JT, Henn OH, Ludwig DS. Behavioral characteristics and self-reported health status among 2029 adults consuming a “carnivore diet”. Curr Dev Nutr. 2021 Dec;5(12):nzab133. Published online 2021 Nov 2. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzab133.

O'Hearn A. Can a carnivore diet provide all essential nutrients? Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2020 Oct;27(5):312-316. doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000576.