The Carnivore Diet - Anna’s Archive (2024)

FAQs

Is there any evidence for the carnivore diet? ›

Not a single long-term clinical trial appears to have been conducted on the carnivore diet, so there's no conclusive evidence it's safe; in fact, many have proclaimed it decidedly unsafe.

But personal reports show that Carnivores could lose 7kg (15.4 pounds) in 30 days, 121 lbs in 12 months, and so on. Generally, aiming to lose between 0.5 – 0.75% of your starting body weight can be realistic.

High in fat, cholesterol, and sodium

Given that the carnivore diet consists solely of animal foods, it can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Saturated fat may raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol, which may increase your risk of heart disease ( 13 ).

Harvard Carnivore Study

93% improved or resolved obesity and excess weight. 93% improved hypertension. 98% improved conditions related to diabetes.

Still, the long-term effects of an all-meat diet are vastly understudied, and the risks are high. For these reasons, medical professionals do not recommend trying the Carnivore diet, especially by anyone having a pre-existing condition like high blood-pressure or elevated cholesterol.

Do the carnivore diet and carbohydrates mix well? Digestion problems can arise if you eat carbohydrates on the carnivore diet. This can result from a spike in blood sugar, which can cause heartburn, bloating, or nausea, affecting how food is digested.

Some carnivore enthusiasts even go for an 80/20 carnivore diet. This means 80% fat and 20% protein — no carbs at all. This fat-to-protein ratio carnivore diet is typically for experienced people on a carnivore diet.

Yes, you can drink coffee on a carnivore diet. Despite its plant origin, many followers of the carnivore diet still consume coffee, considering caffeine's stimulating properties. However, caution must be taken as excessive intake of caffeine may add stress to the body's metabolism and disrupt sleep patterns.

However, red meat, high in saturated fat, is also allowed on the diet. Saturated fats can cause inflammation. Additionally, a high-protein diet (such as the carnivore diet) can be harmful to the kidneys—and can even promote gout and kidney stones. Noom doesn't follow a “one-diet-fits-all” approach.

Why did I quit the carnivore diet? ›

Not only does the carnivore diet lack science-backed benefits, butGreene says it could also pose a huge risk to your overall health if you choose to follow it. “Those following the carnivore diet are more at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to the lack of variety in the diet,” Greene says.

OUR MAJOR FINDINGS ON CANCER AND ANIMAL FOODS

red meat INCREASES the risk of colorectal cancer. processed meat INCREASES the risk of colorectal cancer. Cantonese-style salted fish INCREASES the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Steady Progress: Typical Timeline of Noticeable Changes. Once your body has adapted to the carnivore diet, you'll begin to notice more profound carnivore diet results around the 3-6 week mark. Weight loss can become apparent during this time, as your body continues to burn fat for energy.

“It's very restrictive, unsustainable, and there's no evidence to support its claims.” What's more, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies. If you're healthy, it's probably OK to try this diet, as long as you don't stay on it for more than a week to 10 days.

Carnivore is more effective in quick weight loss than keto, as it completely cuts out carbs entirely whereas the ketogenic diet limits carb consumption. Because of this, your body is more likely to burn fat in less time with as a carnivore.

The carnivore diet can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease because it prioritizes foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty steaks, which can elevate cholesterol levels, Arsenault says. Meanwhile, eliminating fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds could increase your risk.

While the diet may help people lose weight in the short term if they cut out foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, it may have long-term health consequences, said Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Walter Willett in a March 30 CNBC article.

The study reported that longstanding research connecting red meat consumption to heart disease and cancer is not supported by strong scientific evidence.