
Introduction
The carnivore diet has received a lot of attention in recent years, and interest is growing. Hundreds of thousands around the globe swear by its health benefits. At its core, this eating plan consists entirely of animal-based products like meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy. It eliminates all plant-based foods, so no fruits, vegetables, grains, or legumes. The diet is seen as a natural way of eating, similar to the way our ancestors ate, and many see significant health improvements as a result.
Most of us have been taught throughout our life that we should eat lots of vegetables and grains, with only a small amount of meat, because meat will kill you if you eat too much!
It is completely understandable therefore that many people new to the idea of the carnivore way of eating are sceptical, as was I initially. Their first question is always: “Yes, but is the carnivore diet actually healthy?”
While some medical experts remain unconvinced, many now argue that it’s not only healthy but potentially the healthiest way to eat. Anecdotal evidence overwhelmingly suggests that people feel dramatically better on the diet, experiencing benefits such as weight loss, reduced inflammation, improved digestion, and better mental clarity, to name but a few.
My Carnivore Journey: A Personal Transformation
To help illustrate the potential of the carnivore diet, let me share my personal story. I’m a 60-year-old mother of four grown children living in the UK. I had my gallbladder removed in my early 20s, and I was lucky in that initially I didn’t experience any significant digestive issues as a result. However, as time went on, I began to suffer from acid reflux and stomach discomfort, which progressively worsened.
To manage my symptoms, I was prescribed Lansoprazole, which helped in the beginning. But over time, I needed higher doses to get the same relief. Eventually, my doctor switched me to a stronger drug, Omeprazole.
By March 2024, I found myself in significant pain. My stomach was constantly aching, and acid reflux was awful. I couldn’t go for a run without taking antacid tablets with me. I asked my doctor for an even stronger dose of Omeprazole. However, due to concerns over the potential side effects, my doctor advised against it.
At this point, I was growing increasingly worried. The pain was relentless, and my acid reflux was out of control. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was on a path toward something far more serious, perhaps even cancer.
My doctor arranged for an endoscopy, which revealed that I had extensive gastritis. No wonder I had been feeling so rough!
Desperate to find a solution, I began researching ways to manage my symptoms. That’s when I stumbled across the carnivore diet. With nothing to lose, I jumped in head first at the end of March 2024.
To my surprise, within just two weeks, most of my symptoms had disappeared. And after a month on the carnivore diet, all of my symptoms were completely gone! If someone had told me this could happen, I wouldn’t have believed it, but it did! For me, the carnivore diet has been a life-changer.
It’s not only my stomach problems that are better. Other positive effects are I no longer snore and the quality of my sleep is much better, my joints no longer ache, I feel strong and energised, and my brain fog has gone.
The Science & Benefits of the Carnivore Diet

My personal experience mirrors what many people report after adopting the carnivore diet. Here are some of the most frequently cited benefits:
1. Weight Loss
Without carbohydrates, the body switches to burning fat for energy. The high protein and fat content of the carnivore diet keeps you full, meaning you’re less likely to overeat or snack. Many people find that weight loss comes naturally when they adopt this way of eating, and they don’t have to worry about counting calories or juggling complicated meal plans.
2. Reduced Inflammation
One of the most remarkable benefits of the carnivore diet is its ability to reduce inflammation, particularly for people with autoimmune disorders. Many people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis have reported drastic improvements. The theory behind this is that by removing plant-based foods, which contain potential irritants like lectins and oxalates, inflammation in the body decreases significantly.
3. Mental Clarity & Improved Mood
A common benefit people report is improved mental clarity, focus, and mood. Without the blood sugar fluctuations that come with carbs, many feel more stable mentally. Some even claim that the carnivore diet has helped alleviate anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms.
4. Improved Digestion Without Fibre
Perhaps one of the most surprising claims about the carnivore diet is how it affects digestion. Despite conventional advice that fibre is necessary for digestive health, many people on the carnivore diet report that their digestion improves without it. For some, conditions like IBS, bloating, and acid reflux all but disappear after switching to an all-meat diet.
My own experience is a testament to this. After years of struggling with acid reflux and gastritis, my symptoms completely vanished after a month on the carnivore diet.
5. Simplicity & Satisfaction
One of the perks of the carnivore diet is how simple it is. You don’t need to worry about meal planning, counting calories, or tracking macros. You just eat meat until you’re full. Many people find the simplicity refreshing, and because meat is so nutrient-dense and filling, they feel satisfied without needing to snack between meals.
The Possible Concerns of the Carnivore Diet
While the carnivore diet has delivered life-changing results for many, we should look at the concerns raised by critics, such as:
1. Nutrient Deficiencies
Because the carnivore diet eliminates a wide variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, critics argue that following this diet could lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin C, fibre, and phytonutrients.
Interestingly, while plant foods are known to be the primary sources of vitamin C, they also contain irritants and toxins that can cause more problems than they solve. Fibre can also cause gut problems. We also know that fresh meat and organs contain small amounts of vitamin C. For those of us who feel healthier than ever as a result of going carnivore, it raises questions about how necessary these nutrients are in an all-meat diet.
2. Heart Health Concerns
Because the carnivore diet is so high in saturated fat and cholesterol, critics worry about its long-term effects on heart health. The concern is that consuming large amounts of animal fat could raise LDL cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease.
However, carnivore dieters seem to report improved cholesterol ratios after switching to the diet. For example, my own cholesterol levels are high, but my ratio of good:bad cholesterol is excellent. My cardiologist (I have had a mild heart murmur since birth) recently told me that my blood results are perfect, and he told me to “Keep on doing what you are doing!”
Just take a look at Dr Philip Ovadia on YouTube. Dr Ovadia is a heart surgeon, and he states that it is grains and sugars that cause heart disease, not meat or saturated fat.
3. Sustainability & Practicality
Another challenge is the sustainability of the carnivore diet. Can people realistically maintain an all-meat diet for life? The lack of variety might make it difficult for some to stick with the diet long-term. Social situations, eating out, and food preferences can all make this diet feel restrictive.
The truth is however, that for me, I feel so great eating the carnivore way, that I would never choose to go back to eating the way I did before. I eat ribeye pretty much every night, and every night it tastes divine! I have no problem eating it every day. Talk to any carnivore, and I’m pretty sure they will agree with me, on all counts.
4. Kidney Health
There are also concerns about the impact of such a high-protein diet on kidney health. Some say that while healthy individuals are unlikely to experience problems, people with pre-existing kidney issues may need to be cautious. However, Dr Philip Ovadia says that a high protein diet can actually help improve kidney health in people who have pre-existing kidney issues.
So is the Carnivore Diet the Healthiest Way to Eat?
Based on both my personal experience and the overwhelming anecdotal evidence, it’s hard to argue against it. For me, and many others, the carnivore diet has delivered profound health benefits, people report feeling healthier than they ever have before.
That said, it’s important to approach any diet with an open mind and to listen to your body. What works for one person may not work for everyone. If you’re considering trying the carnivore diet, it’s essential to do your research and consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
Many are still debating “Is the carnivore diet truly the healthiest way of eating?” If I hadn’t experienced a positive health transformation as a result myself, I never would have believed it was possible, and I probably would have remained sceptical. But I tried it, and it has been amazing. So for those of us who have experienced its benefits first-hand, the answer to the question has to be a resounding “YES!”.
Carnivore Joolz