Carnivore diet

The Carnivore Diet: Yet Another Low Carb Diet...

The Carnivore Diet is a restrictive diet plan that includes only meat and animal products, excluding all other types of food. It's an extremely high-protein, zero-carb diet that is sometimes also referred to as "zero carb" diet or "all meat" diet.

Here's a general overview of the Carnivore Diet:

1. Meat and Animal Products Only:

The diet involves eating meat (both lean and fatty), fish, poultry, eggs, and certain dairy products. Organ meats, like liver and kidney, are also recommended due to their nutrient density.

2. No Plant-Based Foods:

The diet excludes all fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, and even certain dairy products like milk (because of its lactose content, which is a sugar and thus a carbohydrate).

3. No Processed Foods:

Processed foods, even if they are animal-based, are usually discouraged. This includes sausages, hot dogs, and other processed meats which often contain additives and preservatives.

4. Hydration:

Water is the primary beverage, with other drinks like coffee and tea being subject to individual preference, but typically not encouraged.

False Premises

The premise of the Carnivore Diet is based on the belief that our ancestors ate mostly meat, which proponents claim is the diet humans are evolutionarily designed to eat. However, this assumption is not fully supported by historical and scientific evidence, as it's widely believed that our ancestors had diverse diets depending on their geographic location and available resources.

Dangerous

From a health perspective, this diet raises several concerns among health professionals. By eliminating plant-based foods, followers of the diet miss out on many essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, fiber, and several important phytochemicals, which have been shown to provide a variety of health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and certain cancers.

Moreover, consuming a diet high in red and processed meats can increase the risk of certain health conditions, including heart disease and colorectal cancer. Long-term adherence to such a restrictive diet may also negatively impact gut health due to the lack of dietary fiber, which is essential for a healthy gut microbiome.

While some individuals may report weight loss or improved health markers on the Carnivore Diet, it is important to note that individual experiences can vary greatly and these short-term results might not translate into long-term health benefits.