Carnivore diet
Replies
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4
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I respond exceedingly well to a fairly strict low carb diet so tried an all meat diet back in January I think (whatever world carnivore month was). I didn't experience any benefit -- other than deeper ketosis if that can be considered a benefit which I do not like. So of course I didn't stick with it.
I will say that between a plant based low carb diet (that still includes meat just the majority of food coming from plants) and a meat based diet (that still includes plants) I do better on a meat based diet eating less vegetables. I still eat them with every meal -- I love fruits, vegetables, nuts and all of that so it's not a hardship -- but I no longer eat them with a "more is better" mindset and feel better for it.
Excellent resource if anyone is interested:The Ultimate Guide to the Carnivore Diet
Table of Contents
1. What is the carnivore diet?- Keto vs Paleo vs Carnivore: just a new trend?
3. Are there any dangers to carnivore diets?
4. Humans: carnivores or omnivores?- Humans need meat
- Don't humans need plants?
- Anti-nutrients and metabolic changes
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin C
6. Won’t the carnivore diet leave me fiber deficient?
7. Can a carnivore diet be healthy?
8. Are carnivores just as crazy as vegans?
9. Why are so many carnivores into Bitcoin?
10. Conclusion
Co-Written by L. Amber O’Hearn and Raphael Sirtoli
Scientifically Reviewed by Sarah Neidler, PhD3 -
lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html3 -
@kshama2001 I am very familiar with coyote scat, I see scat everywhere I hike and even on my driveway. I live on a ravine and i hear them at night. My cats and dog love to go outside but I keep a very close eye on them. Lol I have taken pictures of the scat on our driveway and sent it to my husband, just in case he does not believe.1
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kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Love the link. I see coyote scat pretty often on trail. I'm sure I have some photos I've taken on my phone somewhere. Don't know why but I find their poop so interesting along with every other type of animal scat that I find.
My comment was based on personal experience solely. My digestion works so great now that my fiber intake is always north of 50 grams. I didn't even realize how "hard" I had it before. 😁2 -
Anyone have any experience with the carnivore diet? Good or bad? Thanks.
I've been experimenting with it for a bit now, do you have any specific questions? I'm not full carnivore at this point, but mix in carnivore days/weeks into my LC plan. On my carnivore days I eat mostly beef, but do add in small amounts of eggs, seafood, pork and then dairy (HWC and ghee mostly), when I feel like it. I also still drink coffee and uses spices.0 -
lalalacroix wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Love the link. I see coyote scat pretty often on trail. I'm sure I have some photos I've taken on my phone somewhere. Don't know why but I find their poop so interesting along with every other type of animal scat that I find.
My comment was based on personal experience solely. My digestion works so great now that my fiber intake is always north of 50 grams. I didn't even realize how "hard" I had it before. 😁
You and @L1zardQueen are making me feel less weird for my interest in coyote scat, lol!
It may not have been obvious, but I was agreeing with you on fiber. I certainly need fiber to be regular. A human with a Carnivore WOE wouldn't be getting all the fiber carnivores in the wild get.2 -
kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Love the link. I see coyote scat pretty often on trail. I'm sure I have some photos I've taken on my phone somewhere. Don't know why but I find their poop so interesting along with every other type of animal scat that I find.
My comment was based on personal experience solely. My digestion works so great now that my fiber intake is always north of 50 grams. I didn't even realize how "hard" I had it before. 😁
You and @L1zardQueen are making me feel less weird for my interest in coyote scat, lol!
It may not have been obvious, but I was agreeing with you on fiber. I certainly need fiber to be regular. A human with a Carnivore WOE wouldn't be getting all the fiber carnivores in the wild get.
Just my n=1 but I've had no issues with a zero fiber way of eating. I still continue to have daily bm's. Removing fiber has eliminated bloating and gas though. Others may have different experiences but it really hasn't been an issue for me to ditch the fiber
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kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Love the link. I see coyote scat pretty often on trail. I'm sure I have some photos I've taken on my phone somewhere. Don't know why but I find their poop so interesting along with every other type of animal scat that I find.
My comment was based on personal experience solely. My digestion works so great now that my fiber intake is always north of 50 grams. I didn't even realize how "hard" I had it before. 😁
You and @L1zardQueen are making me feel less weird for my interest in coyote scat, lol!
It may not have been obvious, but I was agreeing with you on fiber. I certainly need fiber to be regular. A human with a Carnivore WOE wouldn't be getting all the fiber carnivores in the wild get.
Just my n=1 but I've had no issues with a zero fiber way of eating. I still continue to have daily bm's. Removing fiber has eliminated bloating and gas though. Others may have different experiences but it really hasn't been an issue for me to ditch the fiber
Same here. I still get runner's stomach when running (no change), but not eating plants / fiber has eliminated bloating other times of the day. I have no trouble getting "backed up" nor with hard stools.5 -
T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »Yes, there is a group on MFP. Fiber is necessary to best digest other plants, but not for carnivores. And carnivores don't eat "vegetables and grass" - that does not even make sense to anyone who understands what the word "carnivore" means.
ETA: I see many people who have never eaten carnivore, never looked into it, and don't even understand that carnivores don't eat "vegetables and grass" seem to believe themselves as experts. OP, if you go carnivore, you should expect this as the norm. And yes, I know many will "woo" this simply because they don't understand it and are unhappy about their lack of understanding... just not enough to be willing to learn.
I don't think there is sufficient evidence to suggest that fiber is not necessary or beneficial. I have read the current hypothesis that it's only necessary if you eat carbs, but its a hypothesis.
I actually considered carnivore after watch a bunch of videos from Dr. Ken Berry. I was mainly considering it since it aligned typically eating which is mainly meat based. Ultimately i chose against it because without fiber i get constipated.
What i did find interesting recently is a discussion between Dr Layne Norton and Dr. Suzanne Devkota. It was focused on artificial sweeteners but did discuss briefly gut microbiome impacts from carnivore diets and how it can permanently effect your ability to process certain carbs if you are on it for awhile. Below is the video.
https://youtu.be/6k_4OOf7lPg 5 -
kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Fur does not contain fiber, if that's what you're trying to suggest. Perhaps you are confusing it with textiles derived from plants.0 -
Keto group and Low Carber Daily Forum are great groups on here.
Lots of people on carnivore diets in these groups.
Tips, recipes, and support.3 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber.
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Fur does not contain fiber, if that's what you're trying to suggest. Perhaps you are confusing it with textiles derived from plants.
Strictly true for the dietary definition** of fiber, IMU. But I'm not sure that makes it incorrect to speculate that the bulking effect of fur in the digestive system is helpful to some wild carnivores "throughput".
** This is another case where the terminology has contexts, if one wants to be pedantic (as I so often seem to do ). I don't consider cashmere or wool dietary fiber, but it's fiber in my sewing and needlework world. So is dog and cat hair/fur, sometimes. (People make felt and sweaters.) 
I think people are a little (too?) relaxed in casual conversation about using terms, sometimes, so the expression has to be interpreted in a bit of a metaphorical way to try to derive what the person's trying to communicate from what they literally said.2 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber.
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Fur does not contain fiber, if that's what you're trying to suggest. Perhaps you are confusing it with textiles derived from plants.
Strictly true for the dietary definition** of fiber, IMU. But I'm not sure that makes it incorrect to speculate that the bulking effect of fur in the digestive system is helpful to some wild carnivores "throughput".
** This is another case where the terminology has contexts, if one wants to be pedantic (as I so often seem to do ). I don't consider cashmere or wool dietary fiber, but it's fiber in my sewing and needlework world. So is dog and cat hair/fur, sometimes. (People make felt and sweaters.)
I think people are a little (too?) relaxed in casual conversation about using terms, sometimes, so the expression has to be interpreted in a bit of a metaphorical way to try to derive what the person's trying to communicate from what they literally said.
I did say, "if that's what you [the earlier poster, not "you"] 're trying to suggest." I think that leaves the door open for that poster to explain that my interpretation of their post was off. The poster said that coyotes are "getting plenty of fiber," directly after mentioning all the fur they consume. It's possible that was meant as a reference back to berries and grass in their diet. I doubt coyotes are sitting around running up curtains for their dens or embroidering antimacassars, so the context seems pretty clearly to be food. My mention of textiles was intended as a suggestion of the possible source of the confusion. 1 -
I read a very conclusive 10 year study that showed people who ate a daily serving of greens had the least occurences of dementia. That study stuck with me. I would think that a meat diet would lack in nutrients. At the least it doesn't sound sustainable for the long run.1
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I asked my teeth. They told me I'm an omnivore. And who am I to argue with my teeth?16
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WickedPineapple wrote: »A close friend of mine also uses a carnivore-like diet to manage her autoimmune disease. However, even though that WOE helps her feel better, she can't manage it 100% of the time. It's too restrictive. She's been experimenting with introducing very small amounts of plants.
I do a similar diet along with medications for the same reasons. Not straight carnivore as I do eat eggs, green vegetables, cheese, and similar low carb foods. In my case it's working well and I'm in much better shape as far as inflammation and my skin rash. What it hasn't helped with is the pain levels.
No constipation issues here. I'm actually more regular now.
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T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Love the link. I see coyote scat pretty often on trail. I'm sure I have some photos I've taken on my phone somewhere. Don't know why but I find their poop so interesting along with every other type of animal scat that I find.
My comment was based on personal experience solely. My digestion works so great now that my fiber intake is always north of 50 grams. I didn't even realize how "hard" I had it before. 😁
You and @L1zardQueen are making me feel less weird for my interest in coyote scat, lol!
It may not have been obvious, but I was agreeing with you on fiber. I certainly need fiber to be regular. A human with a Carnivore WOE wouldn't be getting all the fiber carnivores in the wild get.
Just my n=1 but I've had no issues with a zero fiber way of eating. I still continue to have daily bm's. Removing fiber has eliminated bloating and gas though. Others may have different experiences but it really hasn't been an issue for me to ditch the fiber
Same here. I still get runner's stomach when running (no change), but not eating plants / fiber has eliminated bloating other times of the day. I have no trouble getting "backed up" nor with hard stools.
Same for me regarding getting backed up - although I don't go everyday, I never have even with high fiber. I've only been eating this way about 4 weeks, so far have dropped 23 lbs, lost fat, gained muscle. The bloat that I constantly felt before stopped within the first 1-2 days. I lost so little on low carb and decided to try this for only a month because it sounded so crazy (against many things that had been drilled into my brain about what is healthy or not) and I wasn't into any sort of restricted "diet" where you'd gain everything plus more back, but I'm feeling AMAZING and not bored of it so I will continue on. I am well aware the reason I dropped that much weight is because my calories lowered a lot due to just not being hungry much anymore, whereas before I felt constantly hungry. The food is so satisfying, I generally only eat twice a day now and rarely think about food. The lack of fiber has actually helped my bowel movements go much more smoothly, quickly, and much less painful. Frequency hasn't changed much. I don't need my type 2 diabetic meds anymore. Blood work looks great and I will get tested periodically.3 -
Here is my problem with the "carnivore" diet. Most true carnivores have a short gut. Their digestive tracks are not meant for fermentation. Herbivores have a long gut. They have to ferment their food get the best out of it. He humans have the gut of an omnivore. Mid level gut that can handle meat, but is also adapted for plant intake.9
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T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »lalalacroix wrote: »concordancia wrote: »Fiber is an important nutrient for humans.
I couldn't imagine the constipation effect!
Coyotes are 90% carnivorous (they do also like berries and sometimes eat grass, etc.) Their scat looks very unlike that of domesticated dogs because of all the fur they consume. So, they are getting plenty of fiber
I use coyotes for an example because I see their scat in my woods from time to time, and I always marvel how unlike dogs' it is.
Pics: http://www.foremostcoyotehunting.com/2017/03/animal-feces-coyote-poop.html
Love the link. I see coyote scat pretty often on trail. I'm sure I have some photos I've taken on my phone somewhere. Don't know why but I find their poop so interesting along with every other type of animal scat that I find.
My comment was based on personal experience solely. My digestion works so great now that my fiber intake is always north of 50 grams. I didn't even realize how "hard" I had it before. 😁
You and @L1zardQueen are making me feel less weird for my interest in coyote scat, lol!
It may not have been obvious, but I was agreeing with you on fiber. I certainly need fiber to be regular. A human with a Carnivore WOE wouldn't be getting all the fiber carnivores in the wild get.
Just my n=1 but I've had no issues with a zero fiber way of eating. I still continue to have daily bm's. Removing fiber has eliminated bloating and gas though. Others may have different experiences but it really hasn't been an issue for me to ditch the fiber
Same here. I still get runner's stomach when running (no change), but not eating plants / fiber has eliminated bloating other times of the day. I have no trouble getting "backed up" nor with hard stools.
Same for me regarding getting backed up - although I don't go everyday, I never have even with high fiber. I've only been eating this way about 4 weeks, so far have dropped 23 lbs, lost fat, gained muscle. The bloat that I constantly felt before stopped within the first 1-2 days. I lost so little on low carb and decided to try this for only a month because it sounded so crazy (against many things that had been drilled into my brain about what is healthy or not) and I wasn't into any sort of restricted "diet" where you'd gain everything plus more back, but I'm feeling AMAZING and not bored of it so I will continue on. I am well aware the reason I dropped that much weight is because my calories lowered a lot due to just not being hungry much anymore, whereas before I felt constantly hungry. The food is so satisfying, I generally only eat twice a day now and rarely think about food. The lack of fiber has actually helped my bowel movements go much more smoothly, quickly, and much less painful. Frequency hasn't changed much. I don't need my type 2 diabetic meds anymore. Blood work looks great and I will get tested periodically.
Question on semantics. How do you assessed you gained muscle?3 -
I started the carnivore diet because of autoimmune diseases, like other people. I think autoimmune diseases has something to do with digestion and/or food insensitivities. You can doe IgG1,2,3 tests but there are mixed things about the reliability, and they are pricy. So my intention was to begin as an elimination diet. I only eat ground beef and steaks. I do OMAD en I fast on a regular base, 24h to 36h. And every 2 months a prolonged fast of 5 days. I am on the diet 2 months now and my skin is pretty cleared up. Lost a little fat and gained a little muscle. I measure everything. I can eat this way without a problem, but don't know if it is healthy for a long period. There aren't studies about this.
My theory about that it works for autoimmune diseases is that there is a food sensitivity that causes problems. Or that the carnivore diet raises testosterone. And testosterone lowers inflammation.1 -
psychod787 wrote: »Here is my problem with the "carnivore" diet. Most true carnivores have a short gut. Their digestive tracks are not meant for fermentation. Herbivores have a long gut. They have to ferment their food get the best out of it. He humans have the gut of an omnivore. Mid level gut that can handle meat, but is also adapted for plant intake.
Yes!1 -
I started the carnivore diet because of autoimmune diseases, like other people. I think autoimmune diseases has something to do with digestion and/or food insensitivities. You can doe IgG1,2,3 tests but there are mixed things about the reliability, and they are pricy. So my intention was to begin as an elimination diet. I only eat ground beef and steaks. I do OMAD en I fast on a regular base, 24h to 36h. And every 2 months a prolonged fast of 5 days. I am on the diet 2 months now and my skin is pretty cleared up. Lost a little fat and gained a little muscle. I measure everything. I can eat this way without a problem, but don't know if it is healthy for a long period. There aren't studies about this.
My theory about that it works for autoimmune diseases is that there is a food sensitivity that causes problems. Or that the carnivore diet raises testosterone. And testosterone lowers inflammation.
I don't follow his progress as much any longer, but when (and before) Shawn Baker was just getting known (he's one of the more known Carnivore advocates), he was a sprint indoor rower, something I do pay a lot of attention to. Just related to your testosterone statement, Shawn's bottomed out. However, he was still setting WRs on the rower, so his athletic performance didn't suffer -- quite the contrary. I find it repulsive but interesting. BTW, I don't think Shawn Baker rows so well because of his Carnivore diet, the guy was a world-class athlete before that and he trains like a beast. There are other WR sprinters on the rower that live off of McDonalds. The sprint on the rower is just that -- 40 to 50 hard pulls. Beyond that, fitness comes into play...
I don't agree with Shawn but I give him (and some others) props for transparency and leaving themselves open to criticism.2 -
I started the carnivore diet because of autoimmune diseases, like other people. I think autoimmune diseases has something to do with digestion and/or food insensitivities. You can doe IgG1,2,3 tests but there are mixed things about the reliability, and they are pricy. So my intention was to begin as an elimination diet. I only eat ground beef and steaks. I do OMAD en I fast on a regular base, 24h to 36h. And every 2 months a prolonged fast of 5 days. I am on the diet 2 months now and my skin is pretty cleared up. Lost a little fat and gained a little muscle. I measure everything. I can eat this way without a problem, but don't know if it is healthy for a long period. There aren't studies about this.
My theory about that it works for autoimmune diseases is that there is a food sensitivity that causes problems. Or that the carnivore diet raises testosterone. And testosterone lowers inflammation.
The best research on carnivore is probably what was presented at Carnivory Con 2019. Amber O'Hearn occasionally tweets a video of her presentations there.0
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