Seven years ago I was working with a patient who had chronic bloating, urinary tract infections, and fluid retention. This patient even had full body hives while following a paleo diet or Whole30 food routine, and even developed hypothyroidism.
I started her on thyroid meds that helped a little but it was clear her body needed a reset. I decided to go for it and had her go full carnivore – nothing but meat and fish for 30 days.
30 Days on a Carnivorish Diet
You may have already guessed what happened, after 30 days this patient felt amazing! She dropped 8 lbs in 30 days. The inflammation was gone. The bloating was gone.
After the 30 days, we slowly started adding back in fruit, she loved chocolate and peanut butter, so we added those back in, one at a time.
For the next year we titrated her off her thyroid medication, she has not had a UTI since, she can eat all manner of whole foods now and doesn’t have any digestive irritation. She ended up dropping 10 lbs that she had carried since her third child.
This 35 year old woman unlocked health opportunity for so many patients.
Carnivorish Diet | A patient story
Another 50 year old woman who was on 3 acid blockers for acid reflux, getting regular endoscopes, to prevent Barrett’s esophagus also went on the Carnivore diet for 30 days.
After 30 days, she was down to one acid blocker and had no acid reflux.
We added some fruit, avocado, cucumbers, olives, eventually squash and zucchini. After about 3 years she was able to get completely off of her acid blockers. She had been on acid blocking, aka nutrition blocking drugs for over 20 years!
I give you those two stories, not to say vegetables are bad and everybody should be scarfing meat, but if you are sick, the Carnivore diet or Carnivorish diet may be the reset your body needs.
For as long as I can remember we have been told that meat is a problem and that ultra-processed vegan food items miraculously have more nutritional value. Of course this a lie that has devoured the health of multiple generations of humans.
But even beyond the veganism religion, it seems that for some people who are experiencing significant health distress – dairy, whole grains and vegetables can be a barrier as they aim to get back their health.
I am going to share a couple reasons why I think that consumption of meat and seed bearing foods and the elimination of all others for a short time, can often be the food routine that gets people to the finish line.
The Carnivorish Diet Health Reset
1. Elimination of Anti-Nutrients: Plants contain compounds like oxalates, lectins, and phytates, which can bind minerals, irritate the gut, and even trigger immune responses in sensitive individuals. The Carnivorish routine I described removes these entirely, potentially resolving issues that persist when following a paleo plan.
2. Gut Healing: For those with leaky gut, IBS, or SIBO, the absence of fiber and fermentable carbs (FODMAPs) on carnivore might reduce gut irritation more effectively than paleo’s vegetable inclusion. Check out this post if you have SIBO, IBS or other digestive issues.
3. Allergy or Autoimmune Triggers: Some plant foods (even paleo-approved ones like nightshades) can provoke inflammation or immune reactions. The Carnivorish routine simply sidesteps these risks, as the foods being consumed are essentially 100% digestible.
4. Metabolic Factors: Individuals with insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and difficulty with appetite control, find that cravings, appetite, satiety and blood sugar all move in a very positive and beneficial direction when eating in this manner. I have seen some of the most stuck individuals when it comes to body composition have amazing results holding the line with this routine.
5. Simplicity: It is so simple! We live in a world of decision overload. We don’t need to consume 20 different foods every day to enjoy a state of robust health. We can drastically decrease meal stress by simplifying our food choices and sticking to whole, ultra digestible foods.
Maybe this food routine isn’t the one that makes a huge difference in your health story, but do not downplay a food routine that has transformed countless lives until you have given it a go yourself.
Remember, this for educational purposes only and not medical advice.
