Leena Watts
The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that involves eating only meat and other animal products, such as beef, chicken, pork, fish, and eggs, while cutting out all carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. This diet was popularized by former orthopedic surgeon Shawn Baker, who wrote the book The Carnivore Diet in 2018 or 2019. The diet has been promoted as a revolutionary way to improve health and lose weight, but it has also been criticized as a potentially unhealthy fad diet that is unsustainable and expensive. Some people claim that the carnivore diet has improved their physical and mental health, but there is limited research to support these claims, and it may lead to nutrient deficiencies and increased health risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Carnivore Diet |
| Invented By | Shawn Baker, MD, a former orthopedic surgeon |
| Year | 2019 |
| Book | The Carnivore Diet |
| Food Allowed | Meat, fish, animal products such as eggs, lard, bone marrow, bone broth, and dairy |
| Food Restricted | Fruits, legumes, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and carbohydrates |
| Benefits | Weight loss, improved mental health, reduced inflammation, lower blood sugar in people with diabetes |
| Criticism | Lack of micronutrients, high cost, potentially dangerous to health, unsustainable in the long term |
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What You'll Learn
The diet's creator, Shawn Baker
Shawn Baker is a medical doctor, former orthopaedic surgeon, and combat trauma surgeon who served as a chief of orthopaedics while deployed to Afghanistan with the United States Air Force. He is also a world champion athlete, international speaker, podcast host, and consultant.
Baker is a proponent of treating disease with medical nutritional therapy and has written a book called 'The Carnivore Diet', which became a bestseller on Amazon. In his book, Baker touts the benefits of eating a meat-focused diet, arguing that meat is a crucial part of human nutrition. He also discusses the evolutionary, historical, and nutritional science behind the diet, and debunks misconceptions about carnivorism.
Baker first introduced the zero-carb elimination diet on the Joe Rogan podcast, which has had over 10 million downloads. He has also inspired countless others to challenge the traditional nutritional paradigm and opt for a carnivorous lifestyle through his Carnivore Training System and private consulting work.
Baker's book has received positive reviews, with some readers finding it life-changing and inspiring. However, some critics have noted that the book could have benefited from more editing and comprehensive explanations of the scientific literature on the carnivore diet.
Despite Baker's claims about the benefits of the carnivore diet, it has been criticised by dietitians and physicians as a potentially dangerous fad diet. It has also been criticised for its potential negative impact on the environment due to the large-scale livestock farming required to produce meat commercially, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
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Critics call it a fad
Critics have called the carnivore diet a fad, with some dietitians dismissing it as an "extreme fad diet". The diet, which consists of eating only meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, fish, some dairy products, and water, while excluding all vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts, has been described as "potentially very unhealthy, difficult to follow, and unsustainable in the long term".
One of the main criticisms of the carnivore diet is that it is too restrictive and may be lacking in essential nutrients. The diet excludes several food groups that are thought to be crucial to a well-balanced diet, such as fruits and vegetables, which provide important micronutrients like vitamin C, folate, and fiber. This lack of fiber can lead to digestive issues such as constipation and can also cause fatigue.
Another concern is the high cost of the diet, as meat is typically more expensive than plant-based foods. This has led to criticism that the diet is only accessible to a select elite. The carnivore diet has also been criticised for its potential negative impact on the environment due to the large-scale livestock farming required to produce meat commercially, which can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and worsen climate change.
Some people have claimed that the carnivore diet has improved their mental health and that it can aid weight loss, mood issues, and blood sugar regulation. However, there is no significant research or controlled studies to support these claims. In fact, some experts warn that the diet may be unsafe and potentially dangerous to health, with high protein intake leading to impaired kidney function and an increased risk of colon cancer and gout.
The carnivore diet has also been criticised for its potential impact on inflammation in the body. While it may reduce inflammation for some people who previously consumed a lot of ultra-processed foods, the high saturated fat content of animal products can contribute to overall inflammation and raise levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
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Health risks and benefits
The carnivore diet, also known as the "zero carb" diet, is a restrictive eating plan that involves the consumption of only animal products and a few other items. It is based on the controversial belief that the diets of human ancestral populations consisted mostly of meat and fish. The diet was popularised in 2018 by former orthopaedic surgeon Shawn Baker, who wrote the book "The Carnivore Diet". Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila are also vocal adherents of the diet.
Health Risks
The carnivore diet has been criticised by dietitians and physicians as being potentially dangerous to health. It has been labelled as an "extreme fad diet". The diet is often high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which may increase LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels. This raises the risk of cardiovascular disease. The diet is also low in dietary fibre, which may cause constipation and digestive issues. The exclusion of fruits and vegetables means there is a lack of micronutrients, which can cause fatigue.
The carnivore diet is also associated with very high protein intake, which can lead to impaired kidney function and an increased risk of gout. A high intake of red and processed meat has also been linked to an increased risk of colon and rectal cancer. The diet is also difficult to sustain long-term due to its restrictive nature. It can also be expensive, as meat typically costs more than produce.
Health Benefits
Some people have claimed that the carnivore diet has improved their mental health. The diet may also help with weight loss, as it is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. It could also help stabilise blood sugar levels and improve mood. The carnivore diet eliminates unhealthy, highly processed carbohydrates and sugars, which are high in calories and should be limited in a healthy, balanced diet.
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Inuit diet differences
The Inuit diet is often confused with the carnivore diet. However, there are several differences between the two.
Firstly, the Inuit diet includes a high proportion of organs, seafood, and raw meat, whereas the carnivore diet typically does not include these items. The Inuit diet consists of animal source foods that are fished, hunted, and gathered locally. This includes sea mammals such as walrus, seal, and whale, as well as land mammals such as reindeer (caribou), polar bear, and muskox. They also consume saltwater and freshwater fish. In addition, the Inuit traditionally gather plant products that are naturally available, such as tubers, roots, and stems.
On the other hand, the carnivore diet is a fad diet that consists of high-protein animal-based products, such as beef, pork, poultry, and seafood. Some people on the carnivore diet may also consume dairy products and eggs, but all fruits, legumes, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds are strictly excluded.
Secondly, the Inuit diet has changed over time and is now closer to a Western diet. In contrast, the carnivore diet is a modern diet that was promoted on social media by former orthopaedic surgeon Shawn Baker in 2018. Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila are also vocal adherents of this diet, following a strict version called the "lion diet", which includes only beef, salt, and water.
Another difference is that the traditional Inuit diet is lower in carbohydrates and higher in fat and animal protein compared to the global average. This is due to the Arctic climate, which is ill-suited for agriculture and lacks forageable plant matter for much of the year. In contrast, the carnivore diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, which some claim can aid weight loss and improve mental health.
Finally, the Inuit diet has been studied by researchers who have found that it does not appear to be a ketogenic diet, despite its high-fat content. In addition, the “Inuit paradox” refers to the idea that the Inuit people can be healthy despite consuming a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, which goes against the recommendations of many dietitians and medical experts. However, it is important to note that the Inuit people today also consume Western foods, which has led to health problems and food insecurity.
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Carnivore traditionalism
The Carnivore Diet, created by former orthopaedic surgeon Shawn Baker, is a highly restrictive diet that consists of eating animal-based products such as meat, fish, eggs, and animal products. The diet cuts out all fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds.
One position within the carnivore community has been labelled carnivore traditionalism, which argues that "It's not the cow, it's the how". Carnivore traditionalism defends livestock raised through "regenerative" methods and encourages the consumption of vast amounts of eggs and grass-fed beef from small traditional farms in opposition to industrial livestock production. Carnivore traditionalists advocate for the consumption of meat and animal products from livestock raised in natural environments, such as grass-fed cows and free-range chickens. They believe that the quality and source of the meat are more important than the act of eating meat itself. This belief system is often accompanied by a rejection of industrial livestock production and its associated environmental and ethical concerns.
The movement also emphasizes the importance of ethical and humane treatment of animals. This includes supporting farmers who use traditional methods of animal husbandry, such as rotational grazing, which is believed to be better for the land and the animals. Carnivore traditionalists may also advocate for the consumption of organ meats and other animal parts that are often discarded in conventional meat production, as a way to honour the animal and reduce waste.
While carnivore traditionalism attempts to address some of the concerns surrounding the carnivore diet, it still faces criticism. The diet remains expensive and inaccessible to many, and it continues to exclude important food groups, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Some critics also argue that any form of animal agriculture, including small-scale and regenerative methods, is unsustainable and unethical due to the inherent use and exploitation of animals.
Despite these criticisms, carnivore traditionalism has gained a following among those who are concerned about the industrial meat industry but still wish to include animal products in their diet. It represents an attempt to reconcile the carnivore diet with a more sustainable and ethical approach to food production.
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Frequently asked questions
The Carnivore Diet was created by Shawn Baker, a former orthopedic surgeon.
The carnivore diet is a diet that consists of eating only meat and other animal products.
Proponents of the diet claim that it can help with weight loss, improve mental health, and stabilize blood sugar.
The carnivore diet can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which may increase "bad" cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also be expensive and may not provide all the necessary nutrients.
The carnivore diet includes red meat, poultry, seafood, and animal products such as eggs, butter, and cheese.
