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The carnivore diet has gained some popularity in recent years due to various health and weight-loss claims, but is it safe? We’ll examine the pros and cons of carnivore diet plans and recommend a great alternative way to get your protein fix.

Diet trends come and go, but perhaps none are as bizarre and extreme as the carnivore diet, which has been gaining traction in recent years. A strict bare-bones diet that forgoes all foods that are not meat, this way of living has been touted to have all kinds of health benefits from weight loss and increased energy to the alleviation of skin diseases and autoimmune disorders. We’ll explore the pros and cons of this lifestyle to help you decide if carnivore diet plans are right for you.

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Carnivore Diet Pros and Cons: Could the Carnivore Diet be Right for You?

The Pros and Cons of Carnivore Diet Plans is an original (HealthXWire) article.

The pros and cons of carnivore diet plans:

The pros

The biggest advantage of carnivore diet plans is getting an abundance of the macronutrient that is the cornerstone of the diet: protein. Consuming meat all the time means you’re consuming plenty of protein. The benefits of adding more protein to your diet include improved immune function, improved metabolic function, better strength, and better recovery. Perhaps the most sought-after benefit, however, is weight loss. Protein is very satiating, meaning you’ll have fewer food cravings and therefore consume fewer empty calories. On a molecular level, protein suppresses the hunger hormone ghrelin and increases levels of peptide YY, the counterpart hormone that makes you feel full.

One less touted benefit of carnivore diet plans is that they can be great for people with food allergies. Meat allergies are very rare, so food allergy sufferers can rest assured that they likely won’t consume anything that will give them an adverse reaction.

The pros and cons of carnivore diet plans:

The cons

The carnivore diet’s biggest advantage- the abundance of protein- is also one of its downsides. This is because the wealth of it comes at the expense of other macronutrients. We can all benefit from consuming fewer processed carbohydrates and sugar, but the same cannot be said for avoiding complex carbs like fruits and vegetables. These foods contain fiber, an essential nutrient that feeds good bacteria in your gut, manages appetite, lowers cholesterol levels, and blunts the blood sugar spike you get after a high carbohydrate meal. A lack of fiber can leave you constipated and at an increased risk for illnesses like heart disease and colon cancer.

Carnivore diet plans are also likely to be high in saturated fat, as many types of meat such as beef, pork, and lamb contain it. While moderate amounts of saturated fat are fine, too much of it can lead to a rise in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Similarly, this diet tends to contain large amounts of sodium, which can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of these diseases.

Shifting gears from the health of the body to the health of the wallet, carnivore diet plans are just plain expensive. Protein (particularly meat products) is the priciest macronutrient and if all you are eating is meat, the costs can start to add up quickly.

The pros and cons of carnivore diet plans:

The alternatives

If carnivore diet plans sound too restrictive to you, a great alternative is the opposite: a plant-based diet. Research shows that plant-based living offers a host of benefits such as improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight management. It has even been shown to help mitigate chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. On top of that, it’s much more affordable than a diet containing expensive meat and animal products.

One concern often voiced about a plant-based diet is a potential lack of protein or lack of quality protein. This is where pea protein can be useful. A study on people new to resistance training pitted whey protein against pea protein to see which was more effective for building strength and aiding recovery. The results showed the pea protein group gained slightly more muscle mass than the whey group. Furthermore, pea protein has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Nuzest offers a plant-based protein powder called Clean Lean Protein for those who want to reap the benefits of pea protein. Clean Lean Protein contains all nine essential amino acids as well as 11 essential vitamins and minerals. That’s more nutritional content than most protein powders on the market, making it a great protein addition to any diet. On top of that, it is hypoallergenic and free of any chemical additives.

“Our products don’t graduate to packaging before they pass all their tests,” Nuzest’s website reads. “We have a robust testing regime to make sure our finished products are safe and free from major allergens like gluten and dairy. Pesticide and heavy metal testing are also conducted to ensure our products meet World Health Organization standards.”

Are carnivore diet plans right for you?

While there is no shortage of people claiming great results from the carnivore diet, it is important to note that there are currently no controlled studies that back these claims up. Furthermore, there are no studies regarding how this diet will affect people in the long term.

Perceived benefits of the diet, such as weight loss, could also be attributed to increased protein intake. While research indicates that adding more protein to your diet is beneficial, it is also clear that it doesn’t need to come from an animal. You can use a plant-based protein source like pea protein and still have a complete diet.

If you are considering attempting the carnivore diet, it is advisable to consult with a doctor or nutritionist first, as making a change this drastic to your diet can potentially have negative side effects. As long as they approve, make sure to give a high-protein diet a try.

Further Reading:

Bon Appétit: Carnivore, Lion, Animal-Based: Inside the Extreme World of All-Meat Diets

Daily Mail: Meat only! Why I love my carnivore diet

BarBend: What the Science Says About the Carnivore Diet for Strength Athletes

Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.

Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.