Anyone else tried/trying 'Carnivore Diet'?

sophleo7
sophleo7 Posts: 9 Member
in Food and Nutrition
🎶Bacon, eggs, chicken, deer, sausage & beef- these are a few of my favorite things! 🍗🥩🥓🍳 Sorry for the corny jingle, I couldn't help myself! 😋 So I've been on this carnivore 'all protein/meat' diet for about a week and I've had great results so far! Feel like I'm leaning out, losing more excess fat than muscles. 💪 Is anyone else trying this, and if so how is it going for you? Maybe we could exchange recipes? Also this app tells me I go over their recommended fat every day! Lol ...which I'm surprised by their pie chart ratio recommending 50% carbs, 20% protein, & 30% fat... But I guess thats normal in the American diet. 🤷 And I'm not a premium member so I don't know if those could be adjusted...

Replies

  • sophleo7
    sophleo7 Posts: 9 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I'm mostly carnivore but not quite all the way there. I still have stevia in my coffee (and coffee!) plus other incidentals here and there like flax in my protein powder or jalapeños in my smokies. I'm not that high protein though as I tend towards fattier meats. Maybe 100g a day in protein. Maybe 25%?

    There is a small group of mostly carnivores and true carnivores in the lower carb groups. They're just not vocal about it. It's still considered to be an odd way to eat. ;) But it really is growing in popularity.

    I have no special recipes. Meat is meat for me, and I'm trying to really limit plants to almost nothing as a health experiment so that leaves few options besides topping meats with eggs, cheese, or other meats. LOL It's pretty dull IMO, but I'm trying to make food more functional rather than entertainment. I do find it makes weight loss really easy. I've been losing about a pound a week without trying or logging. That aspect is rather freeing.

    If you do want to log, you can actually set your carbs to zero. I did. It's kind of funny to see.

    Ok awesome! 😁 Yeah I'm not 💯 there too because I do have coffee in the morning with stevia. That's a hard habit to break! 😆 And I tend to have all kinds of meats, fatty and lean, but I also have them with cheese occasionally...
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    edited August 2018
    WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »
    sugarlemonpie wrote: »
    Please be careful, a 'carnivore' diet can be extremely dangerous. Doctors won't be on your side with this for a number of reasons. The increased cholesterol from the meat, which clogs arteries. Your vitamins/minerals won't be met, and you will need supplements. You will also need to be sure to take fiber supplements, so you can use the bathroom as needed. The one "doctor" that actually promoted this diet lost his license. I'm not trying to be mean, it's just risky, and would hate for something bad to happen to anyone.

    There is so much wrong with this post.

    First, my doctor 100% supports my decision to do a Carnivore Diet. He understands the need for a strict elimination diet when people are dealing with multiple food intolerances. It’s also an inflammatory diet and since I’ve been diagnosed with inflammation of unknown cause, it’s a diet that makes sense for me.

    Second, dietary cholesterol does not clog arteries. Ancel Keys releases his Seven Countries Study which HYPOTHESIZED that dietary cholesterol increases blood cholesterol. That hypothesis was never proved, in fact, it has been debunked many times over.

    Third, animal products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that you need and are often more bioavailable than those in plants. Many plants also contain anti-nutrients which animal products do not. Thanks to our depleted soils our fruits and vegetables are no longer the national powerhouse they used to be.

    Fourth, you do not need to take a fiber supplement. You only need fiber to help move carbohydrates through the system. If you aren’t eating carbs, you don’t need fiber.

    Fifth, it is not risky as you say. Inuit peoples have sustained on a Carnivore and/or near Carnivore Diet for over 100,000 years and seem to be doing just fine.


    Why not just keep notes of what you eat that causes you problems? Then, you can just eliminate those foods. Takes a little work, but might make life a little easier. Can you stay on this diet forever? I mean, do some soul searching. If yes, stick with it, if not.... think of a plan b... btw, the sad does not really exist. It can vary from region to region. Btw2... the Inuit people have not been in the North American continent for 100,000 years. They have been here long enough to adapt... I say adapt to a certain diet, but the same can be said for South American natives of the rainforest. Protein is scarce, so if fat. High in carbs though. Probably 70% if my memory serves me correctly. Why not adapt a higher carb diet?
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    psychod787 wrote: »
    WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »
    sugarlemonpie wrote: »
    Please be careful, a 'carnivore' diet can be extremely dangerous. Doctors won't be on your side with this for a number of reasons. The increased cholesterol from the meat, which clogs arteries. Your vitamins/minerals won't be met, and you will need supplements. You will also need to be sure to take fiber supplements, so you can use the bathroom as needed. The one "doctor" that actually promoted this diet lost his license. I'm not trying to be mean, it's just risky, and would hate for something bad to happen to anyone.

    There is so much wrong with this post.

    First, my doctor 100% supports my decision to do a Carnivore Diet. He understands the need for a strict elimination diet when people are dealing with multiple food intolerances. It’s also an inflammatory diet and since I’ve been diagnosed with inflammation of unknown cause, it’s a diet that makes sense for me.

    Second, dietary cholesterol does not clog arteries. Ancel Keys releases his Seven Countries Study which HYPOTHESIZED that dietary cholesterol increases blood cholesterol. That hypothesis was never proved, in fact, it has been debunked many times over.

    Third, animal products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that you need and are often more bioavailable than those in plants. Many plants also contain anti-nutrients which animal products do not. Thanks to our depleted soils our fruits and vegetables are no longer the national powerhouse they used to be.

    Fourth, you do not need to take a fiber supplement. You only need fiber to help move carbohydrates through the system. If you aren’t eating carbs, you don’t need fiber.

    Fifth, it is not risky as you say. Inuit peoples have sustained on a Carnivore and/or near Carnivore Diet for over 100,000 years and seem to be doing just fine.


    Why not just keep notes of what you eat that causes you problems?     Then, you can just eliminate those foods. Takes a little work, but might make life a little easier. Can you stay on this diet forever? I mean, do some soul searching. If yes, stick with it, if not.... think of a plan b... btw, the sad does not really exist. It can vary from region to region. Btw2... the Inuit people have not been in the North American continent for 100,000 years. They have been here long enough to adapt... I say adapt to a certain diet, but the same can be said for South American natives of the rainforest. Protein is scarce, so if fat. High in carbs though. Probably 70% if my memory serves me correctly. Why not adapt a higher carb diet?

    That can be tricky when it comes to food intolerances. Symptoms can arrive within minutes of eating foods but it can also be as delayed as 72 hours or so. Plus symptoms can last hours to dweebs which can make it harder to figure out.

    I have arthritis which is bothered by certain foods. The symptoms can show up the next day but it can creep up on me too and becomes apparent after a few exposures which makes pinpointing the food harder. Symptoms do not resolve until days or weeks later. Sometimes eliminating a LOT of foods makes it easier to identify a problem food when you add it back in.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    somethingsoright wrote: »
    WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »

    Third, animal products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that you need and are often more bioavailable than those in plants. Many plants also contain anti-nutrients which animal products do not. Thanks to our depleted soils our fruits and vegetables are no longer the national powerhouse they used to be.

    If our soils are depleted to the point where the nutrient level in produce is affected, wouldn't that also mean grazing animals aren't getting in those nutrients? And therefore, our meat products are lower in nutrients?

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.
  • somethingsoright
    somethingsoright Posts: 99 Member
    rsclause wrote: »

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.

    It makes sense on the surface. So then if that's the case, only farming practices that deplete the soil would change nutrient levels. I know next to nothing about farming and wonder what would cause that. Certain pesticides? Not switching out crops properly? I should really learn more about something so basic to living.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    somethingsoright wrote: »
    rsclause wrote: »

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.

    It makes sense on the surface. So then if that's the case, only farming practices that deplete the soil would change nutrient levels. I know next to nothing about farming and wonder what would cause that. Certain pesticides? Not switching out crops properly? I should really learn more about something so basic to living.

    Some of the nutrient depletion comes from turning over the soil every year. leaving land fallow, allowing decomposition and soil layers to build, tends to help regain nutrients in the soil. As far as I understand it.

    I imagine a pasture will have richer soil than land that is tilled frequently.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    rsclause wrote: »
    somethingsoright wrote: »
    WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »

    Third, animal products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that you need and are often more bioavailable than those in plants. Many plants also contain anti-nutrients which animal products do not. Thanks to our depleted soils our fruits and vegetables are no longer the national powerhouse they used to be.

    If our soils are depleted to the point where the nutrient level in produce is affected, wouldn't that also mean grazing animals aren't getting in those nutrients? And therefore, our meat products are lower in nutrients?

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.

    Depends on the grazing land. Also, are you really buying animals products that are exclusively fed from grazing?
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    somethingsoright wrote: »
    rsclause wrote: »

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.

    It makes sense on the surface. So then if that's the case, only farming practices that deplete the soil would change nutrient levels. I know next to nothing about farming and wonder what would cause that. Certain pesticides? Not switching out crops properly? I should really learn more about something so basic to living.

    Some of the nutrient depletion comes from turning over the soil every year. leaving land fallow, allowing decomposition and soil layers to build, tends to help regain nutrients in the soil. As far as I understand it.

    I imagine a pasture will have richer soil than land that is tilled frequently.

    "Pasture" = small-scale meat production, doesn't it? You have to have lots of land to raise larger numbers of animals from grazing (or foraging, in the case of pigs and poultry).
  • Sloth2016
    Sloth2016 Posts: 838 Member
    I have not; I'm happy being an omnivore, actually.
  • Keto_Vampire
    Keto_Vampire Posts: 1,670 Member
    I'm very much a carnivore (dairy, meat, fish mostly). Has nothing to with ethical reasons.
    One of my favorite aspects of this diet is being very low-residual; no GI issues or stomach upset, very little gas. If anything, this is just very convenient not having to deal with bloating
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    The only active MFPer on a meatcentric diet I know of is @midwesterner85

    You could reach out to him OP.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »
    sugarlemonpie wrote: »
    Please be careful, a 'carnivore' diet can be extremely dangerous. Doctors won't be on your side with this for a number of reasons. The increased cholesterol from the meat, which clogs arteries. Your vitamins/minerals won't be met, and you will need supplements. You will also need to be sure to take fiber supplements, so you can use the bathroom as needed. The one "doctor" that actually promoted this diet lost his license. I'm not trying to be mean, it's just risky, and would hate for something bad to happen to anyone.

    There is so much wrong with this post.

    First, my doctor 100% supports my decision to do a Carnivore Diet. He understands the need for a strict elimination diet when people are dealing with multiple food intolerances. It’s also an inflammatory diet and since I’ve been diagnosed with inflammation of unknown cause, it’s a diet that makes sense for me.

    Second, dietary cholesterol does not clog arteries. Ancel Keys releases his Seven Countries Study which HYPOTHESIZED that dietary cholesterol increases blood cholesterol. That hypothesis was never proved, in fact, it has been debunked many times over.

    Third, animal products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that you need and are often more bioavailable than those in plants. Many plants also contain anti-nutrients which animal products do not. Thanks to our depleted soils our fruits and vegetables are no longer the national powerhouse they used to be.

    Fourth, you do not need to take a fiber supplement. You only need fiber to help move carbohydrates through the system. If you aren’t eating carbs, you don’t need fiber.

    Fifth, it is not risky as you say. Inuit peoples have sustained on a Carnivore and/or near Carnivore Diet for over 100,000 years and seem to be doing just fine.


    dietary does clog arteries if you have something called familial hypercholesterolemia. for those of us that have FH we have to eat low fat/cholesterol as those things do effect our levels. and a person doesnt need fiber if they arent eating carbs? ask people who do the keto diet who complain of being constipated. and for us with FH we need excess fiber in out diets. and the inuits arent eating now like they did 100,000 years ago.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    musicfan68 wrote: »
    rsclause wrote: »
    somethingsoright wrote: »
    WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »

    Third, animal products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that you need and are often more bioavailable than those in plants. Many plants also contain anti-nutrients which animal products do not. Thanks to our depleted soils our fruits and vegetables are no longer the national powerhouse they used to be.

    If our soils are depleted to the point where the nutrient level in produce is affected, wouldn't that also mean grazing animals aren't getting in those nutrients? And therefore, our meat products are lower in nutrients?

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.

    I live in Iowa - farm country. This time of year, I see cattle in harvested fields eating what is left on the fields. Our cattle by and large also eat corn as their main diet.

    Crops are rotated every year so that nutrients aren't depleted from the soil. One year soybeans, the next, corn.

    Yes, cows and pigs both are fed high amounts of corn.

    I have been eating carnivore for most of last year and this year. Before that, I ate keto, and low carb before that. Basically went low carb and kept cutting to zero over a couple years. I took a break for almost 3 months to do a Modified PSMF diet and then a real diet break. After the results of the real diet break (i.e. eat whatever I want, including carbs), I can't do that ever again.

    I have type 1 diabetes and must manage carbs for that reason. I feel better (energy, GI issues) with a zero carb carnivore diet. Maybe the lack of fiber is what makes a difference. Either way, I intend to remain either zero carb / carnivore or keto for life. Or maybe will reassess if a cure for T1D is discovered.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    edited October 2018
    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    somethingsoright wrote: »
    rsclause wrote: »

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.

    It makes sense on the surface. So then if that's the case, only farming practices that deplete the soil would change nutrient levels. I know next to nothing about farming and wonder what would cause that. Certain pesticides? Not switching out crops properly? I should really learn more about something so basic to living.

    Some of the nutrient depletion comes from turning over the soil every year. leaving land fallow, allowing decomposition and soil layers to build, tends to help regain nutrients in the soil. As far as I understand it.

    I imagine a pasture will have richer soil than land that is tilled frequently.

    "Pasture" = small-scale meat production, doesn't it? You have to have lots of land to raise larger numbers of animals from grazing (or foraging, in the case of pigs and poultry).

    Around here, most animals are raised on pastures, supplemented with hay, and then shipped to feedlots to be finished. They do not usually spend their lives there. At least not in Alberta.

    In the feedlots, cows up here get more barley, Corn is harder to grow out here.
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    midwesterner85 wrote: »
    musicfan68 wrote: »
    rsclause wrote: »
    somethingsoright wrote: »
    WholeFoods4Lyfe wrote: »

    Third, animal products contain all of the vitamins and minerals that you need and are often more bioavailable than those in plants. Many plants also contain anti-nutrients which animal products do not. Thanks to our depleted soils our fruits and vegetables are no longer the national powerhouse they used to be.

    If our soils are depleted to the point where the nutrient level in produce is affected, wouldn't that also mean grazing animals aren't getting in those nutrients? And therefore, our meat products are lower in nutrients?

    I think grazing land is left in a more normal balance than farmed land but that is more of a guess than knowledge.

    I live in Iowa - farm country. This time of year, I see cattle in harvested fields eating what is left on the fields. Our cattle by and large also eat corn as their main diet.

    Crops are rotated every year so that nutrients aren't depleted from the soil. One year soybeans, the next, corn.

    Yes, cows and pigs both are fed high amounts of corn.

    I have been eating carnivore for most of last year and this year. Before that, I ate keto, and low carb before that. Basically went low carb and kept cutting to zero over a couple years. I took a break for almost 3 months to do a Modified PSMF diet and then a real diet break. After the results of the real diet break (i.e. eat whatever I want, including carbs), I can't do that ever again.

    I have type 1 diabetes and must manage carbs for that reason. I feel better (energy, GI issues) with a zero carb carnivore diet. Maybe the lack of fiber is what makes a difference. Either way, I intend to remain either zero carb / carnivore or keto for life. Or maybe will reassess if a cure for T1D is discovered.

    With current research on artificial pancreas and stem cell use, they may not be too far off a cure! Or at least highly effective treatment. Type 2, not so much :(

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