When it comes to diets, it often feels like there’s a new trend every week. But forget keto and paleo, the Carnivore Diet is currently baring its teeth on the health and wellness scene. The name might give the game away, but this is not a diet for lettuce lovers. Grab your steak knife and your sense of adventure, because we’re plunging into the meaty depths of what the Carnivore Diet is all about.
What’s on the Carnivore Menu?
Like a lion in the Serengeti, the Carnivore Diet is all about meat, meat, and more meat. Think of it as your all-access pass to animal kingdom indulgence. The menu doesn’t stop at steak though. You can sink your teeth into any form of animal product. This includes poultry, fish, eggs, and even offal if you’re feeling adventurous. However, modern-day hunter gatherers beware, this diet strictly excludes veggies, fruits, grains, nuts, and other plant-based foods. So, feed your face with fillet, but forget the Freedom Foods.
The Science Behind the Carnivore Diet
How can a diet devoid of any greens be healthy, you ask? There’s a science to this madness. The advocates of the Carnivore Diet argue that human evolution has been heavily based on meat consumption and that it’s natural for us to consume animal-based nutrition. Red meat especially is a generous provider of high-quality proteins, fats, vitamins like B12, and other nutrients.
Plus, cutting out all the carbs and sugars found in plant-based diets can lead to very effective weight loss. So, if you’re on a mission to beat the bulge, trading in your tofu for T-bone might just be the trick.
Things to Be Wary Of
However, there are some lion-sized caveats to this diet. As much as our ancestors loved their mammoth meat, they didn’t live in a world with 24/7 delivery services. This diet could be restricted in vitamins and minerals commonly found in plant-based foods. It’s also high in saturated fats and cholesterol. These risks might make your doctor raise an eyebrow.
Final Thoughts
So, is the Carnivore Diet for you? Like any diet trend, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. People with certain pre-existing conditions might want to chat with their doctor or nutritionist before going all Tarzan at dinner.
However, if your love for meat has you aspiring to join the cast of The Flintstones, and if you can handle keeping your distance from the produce aisle, then this diet might just work for you. Regardless, healthy living is more than just what’s on your plate. Remember, exercise, hydration, sleep, and a good dose of happiness are just as essential. Happy Carnivore-ing, folks!