What Is | Carnivore Concerns | Health Benefits | How to
What are your thoughts on participating in a strict dietary challenge that promised you substantial weight loss, better digestion, and increased energy (plus SO much more) after just 30 days?
Tell me more…
What if I told you those 30 days would involve eating only meat (and fat).
Seriously?!
Would you do it?
I did. And it rearranged EVERYTHING I thought I knew about nutrition.
What is the Carnivore Diet?
The carnivore diet is pretty much as straightforward as it sounds. It involves eating all the animal parts. No fruits. No vegetables. No carbs. But all the steak and eggs you can stomach. This can be a tough sell because the USDA tells us that fruits and vegetables are essential components of a healthy diet and that eating too much meat is bad for our heart. Therefore, we would assume a carnivore diet couldn’t possibly be healthy for the human body.
I get it. Admittedly, I shared these beliefs.
When carnivore began gaining attention on Instagram and Facebook I thought, what a radically unhealthy way to drop a few pounds. Honestly, it wasn’t until Joe Rogan started talking about his experience with carnivore that my ears perked up.
Way to go on that celebrity endorsement! đ
Beyond loving the Rogan Experienceâ the man clearly does his homeworkâ perhaps it was time to do mine. But before diving on in, I had to address some serious apprehensions.
5 Common Carnivore Concerns
1. Wouldn’t Carnivore Cause Constipation?
What about fiber?! Honestly, this was my initial concern regarding the carnivore diet. Being prone to constipation, I was downright terrified of a fiber-free diet. So when I committed to the 30-day challenge, I had one big exceptionâ if it made me constipatedâ game over!
Interestingly enough, I’ve never been more regular in my life. No bloating. No gas. No explosive diarrhea (guess that’s a thing on carnivore). And certainly no constipation. My digestive system was actually loving carnivore!
This seriously blew my mind. All this time I had been psycho about my water and fiber intake in order to stay regular. And as it turns out, all that fiber may have actually been contributing to my constipation.
Hear me out.
Fiber: Is it Necessary for a Healthy Gut?
First off, there are two types of dietary fiber: insoluble and soluble.
Insoluble fiber is the stuff we’re told to eat in order to “keep stuff movin,'” although insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water. In fact, it passes through our digestive tract virtually untouched. Not even the bacteria in our gut flora can easily digest it. It’s said to be good for us because it can “bulk up our stool,” but there’s mounting evidence to support that it can actually be detrimental to digestive health. Rather than aiding our bowels, it can elongate and irritate them. What’s more, studies have shown that reducing fiber consumption actually reduces constipation.
2. Isn’t Eating Too Much Meat Bad for the Heart?
For years public health officials have encouraged us to limit our consumption of meat (especially red meat) due to its connection with heart disease and cancer. However, despite popular opinion, there is no strong evidence that links cardiovascular disease and intake of meat, cholesterol, or total fat.
In fact, according to the New York Times, “In 2019 an international collaboration of researchers produced a series of analyses concluding that this advice, a bedrock of almost all dietary guidelines, is not backed by good scientific evidence.”
The analyses are among the largest such evaluations ever attempted and may influence future dietary recommendations. To no surprise, the analyses have already been met with fierce criticism from The American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, amongst others.
Of course it’s important to keep in mind that revealing such findings carries the weight of responsibility. In a statement, scientists at Harvard warned that the conclusions âharm the credibility of nutrition science and erode public trust in scientific research.â
Perhaps so. But don’t we deserve to know the truth? Shouldn’t the peoples right to make educated dietary decisions trump the desire to save face?
The Bottom Line: I would encourage you to do your own research. Make your decision based on the evidence you feel most comfortable with.
3. How Will I Survive on Zero Carbohydrates?
Prior to my experience with carnivore, I paraded around touting the benefits of an ultra-low-carb diet, but poo-pooed the idea of a zero-carb diet. I just couldn’t fathom how a zero-carb diet could be healthy when the brain relies on glucose for fuel.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that glucose is the brain’s preferred source of fuel. And this is true (to some extent). When your body is programmed to rely on carbohydrates as its primary source of fuelâ as in the Standard American Diet (SAD)â itâs estimated that the brain needs roughly 130-145 grams of glucose (from the breakdown of carbs) per day in order to function optimally.
However, once an individual becomes “keto-adapted” and is able to rely on ketones for fuel, the brain will eventually be able to use fat-derived ketones for about 50-75% of its energy requirements.
So what about the other 25-50%?
This is where the misunderstanding occurs. If your body (and brain) is relying on ketones for fuel, it’s no longer relying on glucose. However, the brain does require some glucose for optimal function. The good news is, your liver can make all the glucose it needs through a process known as gluconeogenesis (literally âmaking new glucoseâ).
What Compounds are Necessary for Gluconeogenesis to Occur?
There are three compounds the liver uses to synthesize glucose.
- Amino acids from eating protein (or, under conditions of inadequate protein intake or periods of starvation, from muscle breakdown.)
- Glycerol (part of a triglyceride molecule) from the breakdown of body fat or dietary fat.
- Pyruvate and lactate, which are molecules created by the breakdown of glucose during energy metabolism that can be joined back together to re-create glucose.
The Bottom Line: Your brain can satisfy its energy demands from stored glucose, gluconeogenesis or ketone productionâ whether or not you eat any carbs at all.
4. What About Essential Vitamins and Minerals?
This was also a big concern of mine. I wasn’t experimenting with carnivore to fit into my skinny jeans. I was aiming for cellular restoration and optimal performance. And I knew damn well a nutrient-deficient diet wasn’t going to get me there.
I was already well aware that fruit was an unnecessary addition to my diet as long as I was consuming the right vegetables. However, if vegetables were out of the picture, how would I possibly meet my nutritional needs without supplementing?
Much to my surprise, beef (especially the liver) is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planetâ more nutritious than kale, blueberries, or any other well-known “superfood.”
Don’t believe me?
I was hard-pressed to believe this until I saw the numbers. Luckily, an international bestselling author, Maria Emmerich has done the work for us. In her latest book, The Carnivore Cookbook Maria illustrates the nutritional breakdown of kale versus beef. I’ve made a replica of the graph, so you can see the numbers for yourself.
The Bottom Line: if your carnivore diet is focused around eating nutrient-dense meats (and all the parts) such as beef, liver, cartilage, collagen and marrow then you’re covering your bases in terms of optimal nutrition.
5. Isn’t Eating Lots of Meat Bad for the Planet?
If you purchase beef from conventional factory farms then yes, you should be deeply concerned about your impact and the sustainability of our planet. The thing is, factory farms or, in industry lingo, Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) such as Tyson, JBS, Cargill, Smithfield, and Perdue mass produce their meat at the expense of your body, the animal, and our planet.
So what are factory farms exactly?
Factory farms are large, industrial operations that are more concerned with the bottom line than they are with animal or planetary welfare. These commercialized slaughterhouses keep animals in such horrific conditions that the animals are often pumped full of antibiotics in order to ward off disease.
How Does Factory Farming Impact the Planet?
Factory farms contribute directly to global warming by releasing vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphereâmore than the entire global transportation industry.
What’s more, according to EcoWatch.com, “Factory farms indirectly contribute to climate disruption by their impact on deforestation and draining of wetlands, and because of the nitrous oxide emissions from huge amounts of pesticides used to grow the genetically engineered corn and soy fed to animals raised in CAFOs. Nitrous oxide pollution is even worse than methaneâ200 times more damaging per ton than CO2. And just as animal waste leaches antibiotics and hormones into ground and water, pesticides and fertilizers also eventually find their way into our waterways, further damaging the environment.”
And just so we’re clear, over 95% of farm animals in the U.S. are raised in factory farms. So the fact that you shop at Whole Foods or dine out at expensive restaurants means next to nothing. I’m not saying that you can’t find consciously sourced products at Whole Foods or select restaurants, I’m just saying, you’re going to have to do your homework.
What Do the Food Labels Mean?
Just in case you’re not in the mood to do homework, I’ve done the work for you. First, you should know that words on a package mean basically nothing. Written words on packaged goods do require governmental approval. However, you can imagine how companies often abuse this. For instance, a product could claim “all-natural” because their livestock isn’t fed plastic. Labels, on the other hand, are far more significant. Labels require specific certifications, ensuring a higher-quality product.
How to Select High-Quality Meat
To ensure you’re doing right by your body (and the animal), you’ll need to pay attention to packaging labels. The following is a list of labels to look out for when purchasing meat.
Hormone Free
In the U.S. it’s actually illegal to use hormones in the production of chickens or pork. So when you see pork labeled as “Hormone Free,” that basically means the company is complying with U.S. law. What’s more, the reason for this legislative action has little to do with health and more to do with effectiveness. Hormones are not as effective at causing rapid weight-gain in pigs and chickens as antibiotics are.
Antibiotic Free
Antibiotics wreak havoc on our gut microbiota. And our gut microbiota influences essential human functions including digestion, energy metabolism, and inflammation response.
The problem with “Antibiotic Free” labels is that they’re fully loaded, and largely unregulated. Meaning producers must send documentation to the USDA to support their claims, but there are no mandated inspections. And considering the statistics, I think it’s safe to assume that few are holding true to their word.
âSome 80 percent of all antibiotics sold in the U.S. are given to animalsânot peopleâin their feed or water, mostly to promote growth and/or prevent disease,â says Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives at Consumers Union, the advocacy division of Consumer Reports. âAnd thatâs a major contributor to the public health threat of antibiotic resistance, which is when the bacteria that cause infections become resistant to the effects of the drugs designed to kill them.â
The Bottom Line: Antibiotic-free alone isn’t enough. Pay extra for organicâ or even betterâ spring for Animal Welfare Approved.
Certified Organic
Organic meat is a good place to start considering routine antibiotic use is prohibited. However, keep in mind that an organic label tells us nothing about animal welfare or additional “natural” additives such as sugar or MSG. So it doesn’t necessarily ensure that we’re practicing conscious carnivorism.
Certified Humane
Certified Humane is an even better choice than organic. Certified Humane ensures continuous outdoor access for ruminants. Although, outdoor access is not required for birds and pigs, unless the words âfree-rangeâ or âpastureâ also appear on the packages. What’s more, Certified Humane prohibits cage confinement, hormones, and subtherapeutic antibiotics. Certified Humane represents a significant improvement over conventional standards.
Animal Welfare Approved
Currently, the “Animal Welfare Approved” label is as good as it gets. Under this seal, animals are ensured continuous access to pasture or range, which means, there are no feedlots. What’s more, Animal Welfare Approved prohibits cage confinement, hormones, and subtherapeutic (preventative or growth-promoting) antibiotics. Even better, these standards extend to breeding animals, transport and slaughter. And just to be sure the farm is in compliance, every Animal Welfare Approved farm is subject to audit.
Click here for a complete breakdown of meat labels.
What about conscious carnivorism?
Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t show up today to bash farming practices as a whole. There’s a whole movement of folks doin’ it right! According to FoodPrint.org, “Sustainable livestock farmers use a wide variety of practices, not only to raise animals humanely, produce better products and provide a living for themselves and their families, but also to build soil and sequester carbon, mitigating the effects of greenhouse gases.” In fact, properly raised ruminants such as cows that graze on grass actually help remove carbon from the environment.
The Bottom Line: When it comes to eating meat, quality is essential! Be sure that your beef carries one of the “checkmarked certifications,” or falls within the following “higher-welfare brand list.”
6 Health Benefits of Carnivore
Now that we’ve dispelled some common misunderstandings regarding the carnivore diet. Let’s discuss some reasons why you may want to consider carnivorism.
1. Reduces Inflammation
The carnivore diet cuts out inflammatory sugars, sweeteners, grains and fats. Sugar, whether natural or refined is one of the biggest causes of inflammation in the body. By cutting out sugar, half the work is done. What’s more, carnivore eliminates inflammatory grains and starches which can lead to leaky gut and common food allergies. Even better, the carnivore diet removes omega-6 vegetable and seed oils. Omega-6 fats are easily oxidized and when they become oxidized, they cause inflammation and damage to free radicals.
2. Heals Leaky Gut
What is Leaky Gut?
Weâre all aware that the gut refers to the abdominal region. Specifically, the gut is a long tube that begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. The gut is responsible for digestion as well as the absorption and expulsion of food. 90% of digestion and nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestines. A healthy small intestines maintains a semi-permeable membrane, inhibiting harmful materials such as gluten, proteins, bad bacteria, and toxins from leaking into the bloodstream. In individuals with leaky gut syndrome, the small intestines develop larger holes or passageways for these harmful substances to enter the bloodstream.
There are a number of foods that contribute to leaky gut syndrome such as:
- Conventional (inorganic, pesticide-laden) produce
- Gluten: wheat and other un-sprouted grains
- Conventional dairy (derived from conventional meat + pasteurized)
- Tap water (containing fluoride and chlorine)
- Conventional meat (antibiotic and hormone pumped)
- Antibiotics
- Suger
- Soy
Conscious carnivorism serves to eliminate ALL of the foods contributing to leaky gut syndrome.
3. Reverses Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is essentially the dysfunction of insulin signaling in the body. The most common cause of insulin resistance is excess fat on the body. The carnivore diet is highly effective at shedding weightâ making it a great treatment option for type 2 diabetics, as well as pre-diabetics.
4. Eliminates Cravings
Cravings are simply our body communicating its needs. Often when we crave sugar, what our body is actually asking for, is more fuel. Carnivore satiates our body in a way most diets can’tâ both nutritionally and calorically. And you’ll find, when your body is satiated, your cravings will naturally diminish.
5. Improves Digestion
Believe it or not, humans are not actually built to consume large amounts of plant matter. The human small intestine is much larger than that of other plant-based animals, and the colon is much smaller. Large colons are built to handle large amounts of plant matter such as leaves, stems, stalks, and fiber. What’s more, humans don’t have a cecum large enough to ferment plant matter (cellulose or fiber) into energy (fatty acids), that’s why insoluble fiber goes right through us.
Our human biology indicates that we are primarily carnivores. This doesn’t mean that we can’t digest plant foods (or aren’t meant to eat them), it just means we’re not designed to digest significant amounts of them.
The carnivore diet is eating in biological alignment, which means that (after the initial adaptation phase) your digestion should feel better than ever on carnivore.
6. Simplifies Eating
The carnivore diet is actually SUPER simple to implement. Most people don’t have to worry about macros, portion control or calorie counting because you can only eat so much meat. The whole idea is that you eat until you’re satisfied. I have a big appetite, with big cravings, but I was actually shocked at how little I was eating on carnivore.
Implementing The Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet consists entirely of animal foods. Meaning, if your meal had parents at some pointâ it’s fair game. If you’re all in for one hell of a challenge you could consider the lion’s diet. The lion’s diet involves consuming water, salt, beef tallow, organ meats and bone marrow as well as beef cuts. This is the strictest form of carnivore because it doesn’t allow for anything else (no seasoning, no dairy, no anything else).
If you’re not up for the lion’s diet (don’t worry, I wasn’t either) you could consider adding or eliminating any of the following foods listed below.
Meat
All animal meat is fair game meaning ruminants such as beef, elk, bison, lamb, etc. as well as non-ruminants such as pork, chicken, seafood, and fish. More often than not, you’d be wise to reach for nutritionally (and calorically) dense cuts, which meansâ the fattier the better. Processed meats such as bacon and sausage are on the table as wellâ just be sure to purchase high-quality meats. I’d advise against purchasing cold cuts. Processed cold cuts are generally pumped full of sodium and nitrates in order to retain their shelf-lifeâ no bueno.
Fat
Animal-derived fats and lards are a go! Beef or bison tallow, pork lard or bacon grease, duck fat or rendered chicken fatâ have at it.
Dairy
Dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter all come from animals and are technically admissible, although you’d be wise to omit some and limit others. Milk for example contains heaps of lactose (I wouldn’t do it on carnivore or keto), same goes for yogurt. You can get away with some cheese and butter on carnivore, but try not to make it a daily fix.
Organs, Marrow and Eggs
Organs, marrow and eggs should ABSOLUTELY be on your menu. Liver is one of the healthiest foods under the sun. Marrow promotes loads of health benefits, and eggs, well eggs are just delicious (and nutritious).
Supplements
There are a few supplements that would be worthy of investing in prior to taking on the carnivore diet. I’d recommend the following (especially if you’re aiming for optimal health and performance).
Exceptions
It’s up to you to draw the line on which sorts of exceptions you’re willing to consider. Here are a few exceptions I made for myself.
- Homemade blue cheese dressing
- Epic pork rinds
- Low-sugar spices
- Homemade mayonnaise
- The New Primal Buffalo Sauce
- Don Julio tequila
Ready to Go-Carnivore?
If youâre thinking of giving this 30-day challenge a-go. Keep in mind that this is a very extreme dietary decision and one that will certainly come with challenges (especially in the adaptation phase). If you’re coming off a ketogenic diet, carnivore should be a relatively seamless transition. However, if you’re coming off a Standard American Diet, initially you’ll likely experience some unpleasant side-effects such as fatigue, digestive upset, headaches, cravings, etc. Click here to learn more about keto/carnivore flu.
Another thing to consider would be investing in a cookbook. At times, carnivore can feel boring and limiting. Having a cookbook may inspire you to cook in new and inventive ways, making the whole process much more exciting. I’d recommend, The Carnivore Cookbook by Maria and Craig Emmerich. This book has been super helpful throughout my carnivore challenge.
Good luck to you, and please don’t hesitate to comment below about your experience with the carnivore diet. đ
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Katie Rodriguez nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
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