The Carnivore Diet : A Journey Back To The Good Old Days

Embracing The Carnivore Diet: My Personal Journey

Stepping into the world of nutrition, I’ve heard a lot about various diets, each promising different benefits. But the Carnivore Diet struck me as unique. With its radical idea of consuming only animal products, I was both intrigued and skeptical. If you’re like me, you might be wondering if the Carnivore Diet can offer benefits we’re after. Let’s dive in.

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What Is The Carnivore Diet?

I’ve found that the Carnivore Diet, as the name suggests, involves eating only animal-based foods – meats, fish, and eggs – while excluding everything else, even fruits and vegetables. The aim is to emulate the dietary habits of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, which seems extreme but also fascinating.

A very helpful video titled “ULTIMATE Carnivore Diet Food List (Best Foods for the Carnivore Diet!)” by Health Coach Kait provides a comprehensive list of foods that can be consumed on the carnivore diet.

1. Beef: Beef is a staple for most people on the carnivore diet. It’s nutritious and, depending on the cut, contains a lot of healthy fat. Ribeye steak is a favorite, but there are many other cuts of beef to choose from. Check out our articles about making the perfect ribeye.
2. Other Ruminant Meats: Lamb, bison, and goat are also very nutritious and can be included in the carnivore diet.
3. Pork: Despite concerns about high omega-6 content, pork can be included in the carnivore diet.
4. Poultry: Chicken and other types of poultry like turkey, duck, quail, and goose can be included in the diet.
5. Fish and Seafood: Cold water oily fish are an excellent source of omega-3. Salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring are particularly beneficial. Other types of fish and seafood like oysters, shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels, cod, tuna, whiting, trout, halibut, and cod can also be included.
6. Animal Fats: If you’re eating leaner cuts of meat, you need to add extra fat to your diet. You can use tallow, ghee, butter, lard, duck fat, and chicken fat for cooking.
7. Other Animal Products: Eggs are highly nutritious and complement the nutrients in muscle meat. Dairy products like cheese, heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat plain yogurt can also be included, although some people may tolerate them better than others.
8. Electrolytes: Sodium, magnesium, and potassium are essential electrolytes that can make or break your carnivore diet experience.
9. Herbs and Spices: These are a bit of a gray area. Some people on the carnivore diet do not use any herbs and spices, whereas others use them plentifully.
10. Drinks: Water is the best thing you can drink on the carnivore diet. Bone broth is also a good option. Coffee is a gray area and is up to individual preference.

The video also provides a link to a free printable copy of the carnivore diet food list which I found incredibly helpful.

Why Try the Carnivore Diet?

The claims around the Carnivore Diet piqued my interest. Some people, who’ve tried it, report significant weight loss, improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and even better mental clarity. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with a diet can differ, and while these benefits are compelling, they are not guaranteed.

How To Start The Carnivore Diet?

After much research and contemplation, I’ve made the decision to give this diet a go. Here’s my step-by-step guide based on what I’ve learnt:

1. Commitment: I’m preparing myself for a 30-day trial to see how my body reacts. If all goes well, I’ll consider extending it.
2. Eating Habits: The goal is to eat until satiety, without worrying about calorie counting. I plan to have 2-3 meals a day with no snacking in between.
3. Food Choices: I’m stocking up on fatty meats, including beef, pork, and fish. Eggs, organ meats, and shellfish are also on my shopping list.
4. Transition: Since I’m coming from a balanced diet, the plan is to gradually decrease my intake of carbs while increasing my meat consumption.
5. Sources of Meat: I’ve located a few local butcheries to source my meats. It’s a bit more effort, but I believe quality matters.
6. Drinks: As much as I’ll miss my fruit juices, I’ll be sticking to water and occasional black coffee.
7. Spices and Rubs: To keep my meals flavorful, I’ll experiment with various spices and zero-carb, sugar-free rubs.
8. Bone Broth: I’m planning to make bone broth from the bones leftover from my meals, adding valuable nutrients and variety to my diet.

Looking Forward

As I embark on this Carnivore Diet journey, I’m eager to discover its impact on my health and well-being. Although it feels daunting, I believe in exploring new avenues in the quest for improved health. Remember, this journey is personal and subjective, but I hope my experience may serve as a helpful guide for anyone considering this dietary path. I’ll keep you updated!