Madeleine Hull
The carnivore diet is a high-protein, zero-carb diet that involves eating only meat and other animal products, such as beef, chicken, pork, fish, and eggs. The diet was popularized by former orthopedic surgeon Shawn Baker, who wrote the book The Carnivore Diet in 2019. The book promotes what Baker refers to as a revolutionary diet that challenges conventional ideas about health. The carnivore diet has been criticized by some as a dangerous and unsustainable fad, and there is limited research on its long-term health effects. However, it has gained a following on social media, with some adherents reporting increased energy levels and improved mental health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Carnivore Diet |
| Creator | Shawn Baker, MD, a former orthopedic surgeon |
| Book | The Carnivore Diet |
| Year of Publication | 2019 |
| Food Allowed | Meat, animal products, beef, chicken, pork, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt |
| Food Not Allowed | Carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds |
| Benefits | Weight loss, improved heart health, better blood sugar control, improved mood, improved sleep quality, increased energy levels |
| Criticism | Potentially unhealthy, unsustainable, expensive, lacks medical research, may lead to feelings of deprivation |
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What You'll Learn
The Carnivore Diet book by Shawn Baker
The Carnivore Diet, written by Shawn Baker, is a book that outlines a strategy for adopting the carnivore diet as a tool or a lifelong eating style. Baker is a medical doctor, a former combat trauma surgeon, and a chief of orthopaedics in the United States Air Force. He is also a lifelong multisport elite-level athlete.
In his book, Baker discusses the most common misconceptions about the carnivore diet and the problems people face when transitioning to it. He addresses issues such as cholesterol, insulin, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, and climate change. Baker argues that nutrition science is based on assumptions that have never been thoroughly tested and that the standard advice to avoid high-fat meats in favour of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains has led to chronic sickness and weight gain.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of the carnivore diet, which involves consuming high-protein animal-based products like beef, pork, poultry, and seafood, while strictly excluding fruits, legumes, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. Baker's book has received praise from readers, with some claiming it has changed their lives and provided useful information that goes against conventional nutritional advice.
However, it is important to note that the carnivore diet has been criticised by dietitians and physicians as a potentially dangerous fad diet. The diet's restrictive nature has led some advocates to switch to an animal-based diet that allows limited plant foods. The carnivore diet has also been described as costly and inaccessible to most people, only catering to "select elites".
Despite the criticism, Baker's book has sparked discussions about nutrition and encouraged people to question conventional dietary guidelines. It remains a controversial topic, and individuals are advised to consult with healthcare professionals before making significant dietary changes.
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Jordan Peterson and the 'lion diet'
The "Jordan Peterson diet" is a name given to an all-meat or carnivore diet aimed at aligning the food we eat with our ancestral physiology. Peterson is an influential Canadian psychologist who practices and promotes this diet, which his followers call the "Jordan Peterson diet".
The first part of the Jordan Peterson diet is the elimination phase, which calls for at least two months of just meat, water, and salt. This approach to carnivore is also called the Lion Diet, or carnivore elimination diet. The Lion Diet is a healing elimination diet that helps the gut, body, and brain heal. The gut and nervous system can be damaged by the standard American diet, exposure to environmental biotoxins, medications, or a dysbiotic microbiome that can occur if one is born via C-section or treated with antibiotics as a baby. The Lion Diet is the closest thing one can get to a whole food elimination diet.
After two months on the elimination diet, Peterson added greens to create what he called a modified carnivore diet, which he practiced for over a year. Peterson told Joe Rogan that he lost 50 pounds, his appetite fell by 70%, he no longer had blood sugar dysregulation problems, needed less sleep, and his gum disease and mental health issues disappeared.
Jordan Peterson was first introduced to the benefits of a carnivore diet by his daughter, Mikhaila, who lost 10 pounds in two weeks when she started eating only beef. Peterson's diet became synonymous with him when he spoke about his positive experiences on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in 2018.
The "Jordan Peterson diet" or the Lion Diet has been criticized by experts as "being potentially very unhealthy, difficult to follow, and unsustainable in the long term". There is no clinical evidence that the carnivore diet provides any health benefits, and dietitians dismiss it as an extreme fad diet that has the potential to be dangerous to one's health.
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High-protein, low-carb
The carnivore diet is a high-protein, low-carb diet that involves consuming only animal-based products, such as beef, pork, poultry, and seafood. Some people following this diet may also include dairy products and eggs, but all plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, are strictly excluded. The diet is based on the controversial belief that human ancestral populations thrived on meat and fish and that high-carb diets are responsible for today's chronic diseases.
The carnivore diet gained prominence in 2018 when former orthopaedic surgeon Shawn Baker promoted it on social media and through his book, 'The Carnivore Diet'. Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila are also vocal adherents of the diet, following a strict variation called the ''lion diet', which consists of only beef, salt, and water.
However, there are potential risks associated with high-protein, low-carb diets. Some studies indicate that these diets may increase the risk of heart disease and heart failure. For example, a 2018 study of 2,441 men aged 42 to 60 found a 33% increased risk of heart failure among those with the highest protein intake. Additionally, the carnivore diet lacks fiber, which is essential for gut health and healthy bowel movements. A diet devoid of fiber may lead to constipation and disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, potentially increasing the risk of colon cancer.
While the carnivore diet has attracted a dedicated following, it is considered a fad diet by experts, who describe it as "potentially very unhealthy, difficult to follow, and unsustainable in the long term." There is no clinical evidence that the carnivore diet provides any health benefits, and it has been criticized by dietitians and physicians for its potential dangers to overall health.
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Critics call it a fad diet
Critics have called the carnivore diet a fad diet. The diet stems from the belief that ancestral populations ate mostly meat and fish, and that high-carb diets are responsible for today's high rates of chronic disease. However, there is no clinical evidence that the carnivore diet provides any health benefits. In fact, it lacks beneficial nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, and fiber, and can be difficult to maintain because it is so restrictive.
The carnivore diet has been described as "potentially very unhealthy" and unsustainable in the long term. It is high in saturated fat, which raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, and can lead to an increased risk of kidney stones, gout, and osteoporosis. The very high protein intake can also impair kidney function.
The diet has been criticised for being the opposite of what health professionals recommend due to the risk of cardiovascular events, insulin resistance, and fatty liver, among other issues. Plant-derived foods are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are important for regulating gut health, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and managing weight and blood sugar.
The carnivore diet is also criticised for being expensive and therefore only accessible to "select elites". It has been promoted by influencers and celebrities on social media, including 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.
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Health benefits and risks
The carnivore diet, also known as the "zero-carb" diet, is a restrictive eating plan that includes 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 promoted on social media by former orthopaedic surgeon Shawn Baker, who wrote the book "The Carnivore Diet". Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila were also vocal adherents of this diet.
The carnivore diet is claimed to aid weight loss, improve mood issues, and regulate blood sugar, among other health issues. However, there is no research to back up these purported benefits. While some people on the diet have reported general health improvements, there are many downsides due to its restrictive nature. The diet eliminates highly nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, which can lead to deficiencies in some nutrients and the overconsumption of others. It can also be high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which may increase the risk of heart disease. Consuming a lot of processed meats on the carnivore diet can also lead to excessive sodium intake, which has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease, and other negative health outcomes.
Another potential benefit of the carnivore diet is the elimination of unhealthy, highly processed carbohydrates and sugars. However, this benefit may be negated by the addition of salt to enhance the flavour of meat. While the diet may lead to early benefits such as improved blood pressure, reduced belly fat, and improved cardiovascular health, whether these benefits are lasting is unclear.
The carnivore diet is not recommended for diabetes management, as it completely eliminates carbohydrates. Instead, eating smaller amounts of wholesome, high-fiber carbs that don't cause spikes in blood sugar is a better approach. The diet is also not a healthy option in the long term due to the exclusion of many health-promoting foods, primarily plant-based. It is also difficult to sustain due to its restrictive nature. There is also no long-term research to support any of the health claims made by fans of the diet.
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Frequently asked questions
The Carnivore Diet was popularised by former orthopaedic surgeon Shawn Baker, who wrote the book 'The Carnivore Diet'.
The carnivore diet involves eating only meat and other animal products, such as beef, chicken, pork, fish, and eggs. All fruits, legumes, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds are excluded.
The carnivore diet is supposed to aid weight loss, improve heart health, benefit autoimmune issues, improve blood sugar control, and enhance mood.
The carnivore diet has been criticised for being unsustainable, unhealthy, and lacking in clinical evidence. It is considered a fad diet by dietitians and physicians, who warn that it could be dangerous to health.
