When it comes to diet trends, there’s probably none that takes the cake—without actually taking cake or any carbs, for that matter—in controversy as the carnivore diet. If you’re familiar with it, you’ve wondered how people could live off only meat. These people must have clogged arteries, right? Not exactly.

Let’s take a closer look.

What is the carnivore diet?

If you’re new to it, the carnivore diet is essentially made up of only animal products. No vegetables or fruit. Just animal products. 

Is that a healthy way to live? Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician and carnivore diet expert, said the most nutrient-dense foods are meats, not vegetables.1 In particular, the liver holds the most nutrients. Dr. Berry said people thrive without carbs—including vegetables!

This has to mean lean meats and fish only, right? Nope. Carnivores—people on the carnivore diet—suggest you eat as much as you want in the “forbidden” category of animal products. That means red meat, eggs, butter, and bacon. The fattier, the better. Believe it or not, you can lose weight and experience the healthiest version of yourself on this diet.2 It’s not just for men looking to get in shape. It’s also for women looking to lose weight and balance their hormones.

But you need vegetables, right? Carnivores say no. More than that, they believe vegetables and fruit hurt your health.

“Plants are trying to kill you”

That’s what Dr. Anthony Chaffee titled one of his lectures.3 As a neurosurgeon, he’s studied the connection between diet and health for over 20 years. He’s also been a carnivore for the same amount of time. Dr. Chaffee argued that plants are living organisms but can’t defend themselves like other living things. So, they give off poison in self-defense. These poisons include cyanide, toxins, hormone disruptors, and nutrient blockers. Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, and spinach hold dozens of carcinogens.

Dr. Chaffee acknowledged that while vegetables do have nutrients, they are not worth the toxins they give off. He said that meat, especially red meat, contains all the nutrients we need. He noted how red meat has been shown to fight disease, like in the case of renowned psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson’s daughter, Mikhaila.4 

Dr. Jordan Peterson has been a carnivore himself for nearly a decade. Peterson called nutrition studies  “rubbish” because they aren’t randomized or controlled.5 Red meat has often been blamed for heart disease, but Peterson said those people were likely doing other unhealthy things. He noted that there’s no recommended daily intake of carbohydrates, and he is living proof that you don’t need plants to survive. 

Dr. Chaffee said that when you eat vegetables and realize they taste bad, your brain is telling you to spit them out! He believes that so many health issues today are not actual diseases but a result of the toxins in our diet.

The benefits of going carnivore

Treating autoimmune issues

As alluded to above, the carnivore diet helped bring healing to Dr. Peterson’s daughter, Mikhaila.6 At seven years old, she was diagnosed with arthritis. She received a hip and ankle replacement at age 17. All the while, she struggled with depression and anxiety. She experimented with elimination diets, which helped ease some of her symptoms. But it wasn’t until she went on the carnivore diet that she experienced real healing. Having been a carnivore for almost a decade, she developed the Lion Diet as a way to help others heal.7 

Improving overall health

When Dr. Chaffee decided to eat only meat, he felt much better. He was playing rugby at the time, and his athletic performance improved. Dr. Peterson said he experienced healing in several areas, including his gum disease. One influencer named Bella, who goes by the social media handle Steak and Butter Gal, said her eczema and psoriasis got better.8 Bella’s been a carnivore for over five years and boasts the wonderful benefits of the diet.

Helping with depression and anxiety

The carnivore diet helped Dr. Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila through their depression and anxiety. Dr. Peterson mentioned he has a psychiatrist friend who’s planning to use the carnivore diet to treat mental illness. Peterson said that your brain prefers meat protein to anything else, and studies have shown that consuming meat decreases seizures.9

Losing weight

Dr. Peterson and Dr. Ken Berry are both over the age of 50 and said they lost the stubborn weight they had for years.10 They said they feel better now than they did decades ago. Women can also lose weight without getting masculine physiques, like the Steak and Butter Gal and Mikhaila Peterson Fuller. 

How strict should you be?

That answer will vary amongst carnivores. The bottom line – you do what’s best for your health.

One option is to try an elimination diet and go from there. Dr. Berry11 and Dr. Chaffee12 have their own unique systems for that. The diets are different variations of red meat, salt, and water. If that sounds too restrictive, the Steak and Butter Gal, Bella, suggested enjoying any kind of animal product, including dairy.13 She recommended a stricter carnivore diet for those with diseases or autoimmune issues. She said she didn’t do a red meat “cleanse” until a year after she was a carnivore.

One thing worth mentioning is the transition process going into the carnivore diet. Your body is used to taking in carbs, so it’s not easy making the sudden leap to only animal products. While carnivores swear up and down about the benefits of going carnivore, the transition process wasn’t easy on them. That’s why Bella recommended creating a schedule to slowly eliminate foods instead of jumping right into the carnivore diet.14 

Dr. Berry noted that some people handle carbs better than others15, which might be related to their blood type.16 The takeaway is this: do what’s best for you, and don’t stress yourself out. Bella emphasized that if you try to be perfect with it, you might spike your cortisol, which is counterproductive. It should fit into your lifestyle as best as possible. If now’s not the time, you do what you can!

Conclusion

The carnivore diet might draw some weird looks. But clearer skin, an improved physique, and better mental clarity are just a few reasons why carnivores stand by their diet. Who knows? It might be the diet for you yet!