Milly Gaines
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive elimination diet that includes only animal products and aims to reduce inflammation, boost energy levels, and promote weight loss. It is based on the controversial belief that human ancestral populations ate mostly meat and fish, and that high-carb diets are to blame for today's chronic diseases. While the carnivore diet allows for meat, fish, and other animal foods, there is some debate about whether dairy products are permitted. Some sources suggest that dairy should be limited or eliminated due to its lactose content, while others recommend choosing full-fat dairy options from grass-grazing cows, such as raw butter, cheese, and cream, which are more nutritious and may provide additional health benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of diet | Ketogenic, high-fat, low-to-no-carb, moderate-protein |
| Food allowed | Meat, fish, eggs, and some low-lactose dairy products |
| Dairy products allowed | Butter, ghee, hard cheese, heavy cream, raw milk, raw cream, raw cheese |
| Dairy products to be avoided | High-lactose dairy products like milk, yogurt, and soft cheese |
| Other foods to be avoided | Fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, soy products, corn products, vegetable oil, MSG, additives, preservatives |
| Benefits | Weight loss, improved heart health, improved autoimmune issues, better blood sugar control, improved mood |
| Risks and considerations | Lack of essential micronutrients, antioxidants, and fibre, not suitable for children, pregnant or lactating women, or those with impaired kidney function |
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What You'll Learn
Raw dairy products are allowed, such as raw milk, butter, cheese, and cream
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive elimination diet that consists of eating only animal products. This includes meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. The diet recommends eliminating or limiting dairy intake to foods that are low in lactose, such as butter, hard cheeses, and cream.
Raw dairy products are allowed on the carnivore diet and are encouraged by some proponents of the diet. Raw dairy refers to dairy products that have not been heated or pasteurized, allowing them to retain their nutritional benefits, which would otherwise be destroyed in the pasteurization process. Examples of raw dairy products include raw milk, butter, cheese, and cream. These foods are considered more nutritious than their pasteurized counterparts and provide various vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
Raw milk, in particular, has received attention as a natural alternative to dairy-free diets. While milk is technically allowed on the carnivore diet, it is often eliminated due to its high-carb content, specifically lactose, a type of dairy sugar. Raw milk, on the other hand, has been shown to have potential benefits, including reduced likelihoods of developing allergies and asthma in children who consume it.
When consuming raw dairy products, it is recommended to choose full-fat options from grass-grazing cows, as they are considered more nutritious and have been associated with a reduced likelihood of obesity. Additionally, raw dairy products can provide beneficial bacteria and support digestive health.
Overall, while the carnivore diet is restrictive, raw dairy products like milk, butter, cheese, and cream are allowed and can provide potential health benefits to those following the diet.
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Full-fat dairy is preferred over low-fat or fat-free
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive elimination diet that includes only animal products, such as meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. The diet eliminates all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, soy products, corn products, vegetable oil, MSG, additives, most dairy products, and most preservatives.
When it comes to dairy, full-fat dairy is preferred over low-fat or fat-free options. Raw butter, raw cheese, and raw cream from grass-grazing cows are not only more nutritious, but they also have health benefits. These foods contain vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as essential fatty acids like omega-3s and CLAs. These nutrients are anti-inflammatory, balance insulin levels, increase metabolism, support digestive health, and enhance detoxification pathways, allowing for more efficient fat burning.
Raw dairy products are never heated, so they retain their nutritional benefits, which would otherwise be destroyed in the pasteurization process. However, raw milk is still considered a high-carb food, and milk in general is high in natural sugars, which can be problematic for some people. For this reason, it is common to begin the carnivore diet by consuming only meat, salt, and water, eliminating all dairy, and then gradually introducing full-fat dairy after 30-90 days.
The most carnivore-aligned approach to dairy is to consume higher-fat options like raw cream and creamy cheeses made with raw milk. These options provide the benefits of raw dairy, and studies have shown that consuming raw dairy is associated with a lower likelihood of developing allergies and asthma.
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High-lactose dairy is discouraged
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive elimination diet that includes eating only meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. It excludes all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. The diet is based on the controversial belief that human ancestral populations ate mostly meat and fish and that high-carb diets are to blame for today's high rates of chronic disease.
The carnivore diet is a form of ketogenic diet, and works by eliminating all plant-based foods and solely eating meat, fish, eggs, and small amounts of low-lactose dairy foods. High-lactose dairy is discouraged. This is because lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products, and the carnivore diet is a high-fat, low-to-no-carb, moderate-protein diet. A single 12-ounce glass of whole milk contains nearly 18 grams of sugar, which is equivalent to about half a can of Coke.
Many people adopt the carnivore diet to overcome chronic digestive issues and food allergies that may be linked to or exacerbated by dairy. For this reason, it is common to begin the carnivore diet by consuming only meat, salt, and water, eliminating all dairy, including milk. After 30-90 days of this elimination protocol, people often begin experimenting with some full-fat dairy. If you do consume milk on the carnivore diet, choosing A2 milk may be a safer bet, as it is a natural type of milk produced by all goats, sheep, and camels, and has a lower likelihood of causing allergies and asthma.
Raw milk has also been promoted by some carnivore diet thought leaders, as it is more nutritious than pasteurized milk. However, it is still a high-carb food. The most carnivore-aligned approach to dairy is to get the benefits of raw dairy from higher-fat options like raw cream and creamy cheeses made with raw milk.
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Milk is allowed but often avoided due to its high sugar content
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive elimination diet that includes only animal products, such as meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. The diet aims to reduce inflammation, boost energy levels, and improve overall health.
Technically, milk is allowed on the carnivore diet. However, it is often avoided due to its high sugar content. Milk is high in natural sugars and contains a type of dairy sugar called lactose. A single 12-ounce glass of whole milk contains nearly 18 grams of sugar, which is equivalent to about half a can of Coke.
The carnivore diet is a high-fat, low-to-no-carb, moderate-protein diet, which means that it is essentially a keto-carnivore diet. When carbs are cut from the diet, the body must get all of its calories from fat and protein. Since the body can only get around 35% of its calories from protein before hitting a threshold for protein poisoning, the rest (65%) must come from fat, triggering a process called ketosis.
To avoid the high sugar content of milk, some people on the carnivore diet choose to consume only meat, salt, and water at the beginning of the diet, eliminating all dairy, including milk. This is known as the Lion Diet. After 30-90 days of this elimination protocol, some people begin to experiment with some full-fat dairy. If dairy is consumed, it is recommended to choose A2 milk, which comes from certified A2 dairy cows, or dairy from goats, sheep, and camel milk, which is naturally A2 dairy. Raw milk has also been recommended by some carnivore diet thought leaders, as it is more nutritious than pasteurized milk, although it is still a high-carb food. The most carnivore-aligned approach to dairy is to consume higher-fat options like raw cream and creamy cheeses made with raw milk.
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A2 milk is a safer option, as it comes from certified A2 dairy cows
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive elimination diet that includes meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. It excludes all other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. The diet recommends eliminating or limiting dairy intake to foods that are low in lactose, such as butter and hard cheeses.
Regular milk contains both A1 and A2 beta-casein, but A2 milk contains only A2 beta-casein. A2 beta-casein is mainly found in breeds that originated in the Channel Islands and southern France, such as Guernsey, Jersey, Charolais, and Limousin cows. Some studies suggest that A1 beta-casein may be harmful, and that A2 milk is a safer and healthier choice. A2 milk is produced and marketed by the A2 Milk Company, which offers grass-fed milk that comes from cows that naturally produce only the A2 protein.
A2 milk is a safer option for those with milk intolerance, as it is easier to digest. This is because, during digestion, A1 beta-casein releases the bioactive opioid peptide beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), which is associated with triggering the allergic process and delayed gastrointestinal transit time. On the other hand, A2 beta-casein does not have these adverse effects and is not associated with triggering allergies or digestive issues.
In addition to cow's milk, A2 goat's milk has also been studied, and its physicochemical properties are similar to those of bovine whole casein. A2 milk is a compelling new dairy option for health-conscious consumers who are seeking the digestive benefits associated with A2 Milk.
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Frequently asked questions
The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive diet that consists of eating only animal products. This includes meat, fish, and other animal foods like eggs and certain dairy products. All other foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds, are excluded.
Dairy products that are low in lactose, such as butter, hard cheeses, heavy cream, and raw cream, are allowed on the carnivore diet. Raw milk is also allowed, but it is a high-carb food, so some choose to avoid it.
Milk is high in natural sugars and contains allergens for some people. It is also high in lactose, a type of dairy sugar, which can be problematic for those following the carnivore diet as it is high in carbs.
Yes, some people who follow the carnivore diet choose to avoid dairy altogether. This is known as the Lion Diet, and it involves consuming only meat, salt, and water.
