A carnivore diet is all about meat. While quite a few influencers promote it, the benefits have not been proven by any credible research. Although many people consider this a fad diet, it is an intriguing concept. So, let’s learn more about this diet.
What is carnivore diet?
As the name suggests, this diet limits you to eating only meat and a few other animal products. Although it allows eggs and certain dairy products, the carnivore diet list excludes all other foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
This diet emerged from the controversial belief that our ancestors survived mainly on animal products. This belief also claims that many chronic diseases prevalent today are caused by high-carb diets.
Benefits of carnivore diet
While studies have not proved them, some of the benefits credited to a carnivore diet are:
- Easier weight management due to the exclusion of carbohydrates.
- Easily regulated blood sugar levels since carbs and sugars are avoided.
- Easier blood pressure management due to the exclusion of processed carbohydrates.
Despite the benefits attributed to this diet, you should also be aware of the downsides of this fad diet.
- High consumption of saturated fats may increase bad cholesterol levels.
- Eating high amounts of processed meats, such as salami and bacon, may increase your sodium levels.
- Excessive consumption of red meat may increase your risk of certain types of cancer.
- The exclusion of all fruits and vegetables may cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
- A lack of fibre may cause digestive problems.
Meal plans for carnivore diet
If you are curious and want to try this diet, here’s a sample meal plan for a week:
- Breakfast: eggs and salami
- Breakfast: eggs and bacon
- Breakfast: eggs and sausage
- Breakfast: shredded chicken
- Lunch: sardines and trout
- Dinner: meatballs and cheese
- Breakfast: eggs and shrimp
- Breakfast: trout and bacon
- Dinner: prawns cooked in butter
- Lunch: crab cooked in lard
You may snack on hard-boiled eggs, sardines or tinned fish, cheese sticks, or skinless chicken wings between meals.
Foods list in carnivore diet
Carnivore foods include eggs, fish, seafood, and meats such as chicken, lamb, goat, red meat, pork, venison, turkey, etc. Bone marrow and organ meat are also included. In addition, you can also consume limited amounts of hard cheese, heavy cream, and butter. The diet emphasises eating fatty meats to be able to meet your daily calorific needs.
It also encourages drinking plenty of bone broth and water but discourages consuming plant-based beverages, tea, and coffee.
Along with excluding vegetables, the diet also excludes herbs and seasoning. Instead, you can season your food with salt and pepper.
Tips for following carnivore diet
A carnivore diet can be quite restrictive. While it may help you temporarily lose weight, this diet is not recommended for the long term. Of course, you could experiment with it for a day or two.
Conclusion
An only-meat diet might sound like a lot of fun for non-vegetarians, but the limited foods included in this diet can quickly make it lose its charm. The lack of variety may also have long-term health implications.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not try this diet to lose your pregnancy weight. It can cause severe nutritional deficiencies. Similarly, do not try this diet if you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. You should not even consider trying this diet if you have ever suffered from an eating disorder.
Instead, ensure you have a balanced diet where your proteins are accompanied by plenty of fruits and vegetables, grains, healthy fats, and dairy products. A balanced diet, regular exercise and the best health insurance will offer peace of mind and financial protection in unforeseen circumstances. You can also opt for individual health insurance to cover your specific medical needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.