Carnivore Diet
Guess what? I wrote The Carnivore Cookbook with my husband Craig writing the science in the front matter of the carnivore book! It is now on presale on amazon! Click HERE to check it out!
Over 10 years ago, in my first book, Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism, I wrote about what I call a “pure protein day.” I knew there was a strong thermic effect of food with protein. My guideline for a pure protein day was no carbs (no vegetables either) and only the fats that were naturally in the protein, no added fat. I didn’t call it carnivore, because that wasn’t really a word I ever heard of or used back then. Now the Carnivore Diet is coming quite popular. The funny thing is I get asked, “so you’re carnivore now?” When in reality, I have been eating zero carb for many many years.
It somewhat started after we adopted Micah and Kai. Life was so busy juggling a baby, a toddler and work. Carnivore simplified my life! Plus, my boys didn’t like vegetables. I thought they needed to eat them, so Craig and I started to research the most nutrient dense foods. GUESS WHAT? It isn’t veggies with the most nutrients, it is BEEF and ORGAN Meat! My boys LOVE bologna, hot dogs and sausages, we just make sure to get them from US Wellness Meats which makes the most delicious Tomahawk Ribeyes, bologna and hot dogs without sugar and even braunschweiger without sugar! Click HERE to check it out!
We were also desperate to find something that would help Craig heal from Lyme. Nothing was working and he tried everything! Once he eliminated things with oxalates which can cause pain, he started to heal! Where are oxalates found? Plants. A low oxalate food plan was essential to having my husband back. No one seems to understand how Lyme has changed his life and eating Carnivore has finally provided relief.
You can’t deny science and since we LOVE beef and sneak in organ meats all the time, I do not worry that we don’t eat plants. We now know that plants come with issues and anti-nutrients and aren’t perfect. Vegetables had many kinds of things (oxalates, phytates, etc. which we discuss in detail in our Carnivore Cookbook) that can actually hurt you. And the vitamins in the plants aren’t nearly as bio-available as those in meats which means not nearly as many are absorbed. So even some plants that are higher in nutrients (like spinach) don’t result in that many nutrients getting absorbed into the body due to anti-nutrients. Animal proteins don’t have this problem, you absorb almost all the nutrients.
Check out this chart from our book KETO: The Complete Guide to Success on the Ketogenic Diet!
Craig and I understand the science behind our concepts of a pure protein days, which is referred to now as the Carnivore Diet. A pure protein day maintains muscle while you utilize the fat on your body to generate fuel and ketones. The thermic effect of the protein helps burn calories, too!
The Carnivore Diet is becoming more popular and well-known and is a great tool for improving results. But it also is a strong tool for helping further improve health. So many conditions like Lyme, chronic pain, autoimmune issues, bipolor, skin issues and much more can realize even more reduction in symptoms and even remission when the eat carnivore. In our book The Carnivore Cookbook we introduce the Carnivore Autoimmune Protocol (CAP) for helping heal like Craig has done with his own Lyme. Craig has been able to eliminate all of his migrating pain by eating a carnivore diet over the last year and a half. None of the Lyme protocols he tried (and there were dozens) were able to do that for him.
So you may be thinking, what about your past books and recipes? Are they not good? No, that’s not what I’m saying. If you would have told me 20 years ago when I started my keto lifestyle that I needed to follow a diet where you eat nothing but meat and eggs, I would have cried. The Carnivore Diet would have sounded terrible to me. I was 16 years old and still wanted my favorite recipes, just without carbs and sugar. Our diets evolve; what your diet looks like now compared to 10 years ago looks quite different than it does today and it looks different for me too! That’s ok! We are always on the search for knowledge and new information. If your keto diet is working for you and you have reached your weight loss goals and healing goals, great! If you haven’t and want to take it to the next step, carnivore is a great option. Or if you just want to improve overall health and simplify your life (carnivore cooking is really easy), then give it a try.
If you are just starting your keto lifestyle and the Carnivore Diet is too much at the moment, that is fine! That is how I started! Cut the starchy veggies, the breads, the pasta, the rice and make sure to eat some animal protein. All my books are extremely low carb. Most of my books are without nuts/nut flours anyway because I always recommend clients to cut them out for fast results. Also, in my books (The 30 Day Ketogenic Cleanse, Quick and Easy Ketogenic Cooking, The Ketogenic Cookbook, Easy Dairy Free Ketogenic Recipes) there are only a about 5 veggies (the lowest carb and least problematic) included, IF carnivore isn’t for you.
I think that starting your diet change but cutting carbs and sugar is a fantastic way to start! In the beginning years of my lifestyle change, I still wanted dessert, so I had to get creative to make “healthified” recipes of my favorites so I wouldn’t be tempted by sugary treats. I remember making my flour-less chocolate torte just before I went to a wedding. I didn’t want to be tempted by wedding cake so I told myself to enjoy the party and the socializing. Then when I get home I get to enjoy cake! That always worked for me. I didn’t feel deprived. I enjoyed the party then I enjoyed cake. I am no longer tempted by dessert but if you still want to enjoy Keto desserts, that’s fine. Eventually your palate may change so you crave more savory foods.
My ultimate goal is to help people stay healthy by creating recipes that are extremely low carb and delicious. So I will keep posting Keto recipes that my boys and my recipe testers love! I’m not a vegetarian but I write meal plans for vegetarians. I want everyone to be successful in their Keto journey. My children still enjoy keto treats once in awhile. So if you aren’t ready to go full on carnivore, I have many recipes for you to enjoy and keep you on the healthy lifestyle!
I am planning a Carnivore Class for this October 13th if you would like more information. Stay tuned for sign ups! Class space will be limited.
Click HERE to join my private Facebook Keto Carnivore Group for inspiration and support!
Click HERE to check out my Carnivore Instagram account for inspiration and tips on the Carnivore Diet!
I love carnivore so it was sad to see people that think it is a limited diet. It can be if you aren’t inventive. So I jumped into the kitchen to create the most delicious carnivore recipes!
If you have been looking for my Carnivore Lasagna recipe or my Carnivore Quiche, it is in this Carnivore ebook!
If you would like to make a difference and support a small family rather than making a minuscule sale for a large company, I am happy to announce that you can now get my books as a high quality ebook that works on any platform (all done by my wonderful husband!). This is an ebook format that works on any computer or mobile device. It is a beautiful pdf that has all the full color pages and layouts as the printed books with click-able table of contents and searching capabilities. This is extremely useful when trying to find a recipe. These books are much higher quality than the ebook platforms (kindle, apple). Plus, most of the profits don’t go to Amazon or apple!
Click HERE to find it for sale!
Thank you for your support!
TESTIMONY OF THE DAY
“Love the Protein Sparing Modified Fast cookbook! I had been adding occasional carbs in my diet since January after eating clean for over 2 years. My weight had climbed about 10 pounds so I knew I needed to clean up my diet. I had read about the PSMF (Protein Sparing Modified Fasting) diet and purchased the cookbook. Following it for 6 days and down 7.8 lbs!” – Susan
Click HERE to find my Protein Sparing Modified Fasting book on sale!
Most people I consult are doing keto totally wrong. Get fast results with the my NEW Keto School!
Click HERE to check out my NEW Keto School!
Pre-ordered! Excited!
Thanks!
Maria,
Timing is perfect for this book! I have been playing around with the carnivore diet for a few months after keto for almost 2 years. But what prompted me to comment is that you say Craig is doing better! Wonderful news! I am so happy for all of you! 😊
Thank you so much! I know you will LOVE it!
Hi Maria,
I am very uneasy about eating meat after the World Health Organisation and the World Cancer Research Fund published their findings on eating meat (and dairy products):
“MAJOR FINDINGS ON CANCER AND ANIMAL FOODS
There is strong evidence that consuming:
red meat INCREASES the risk of colorectal cancer
processed meat INCREASES the risk of colorectal cancer
Cantonese-style salted fish INCREASES the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer
dairy products DECREASES the risk of colorectal cancer
Have you read this study? I’m very interested to hear what you think about it.
Best regards,
Gudrun.
The World Cancer Reasearch Fund is a joke. So many cancer-reversal protocols/procedures that actually work by Doctors doing it the right way for approval get shutdown – especially with painstaking documentation of proven results. They are not only told no – they are stripped of there findings and their research/equipment are confiscated. And to top it off – these guys purposely look other way.
No truth to it. Based on flawed and bad studies. Here is a breakdown of one of the biggest (China Study) showing its massive flaws and contrary results if the same data is processed to look at alternative results:
https://deniseminger.com/the-china-study/
And here are many other points debunked.
https://chriskresser.com/why-you-should-eat-meat-my-appearance-on-the-joe-rogan-experience/
Will this be victory belt published?:)
Yes!
My brother predicted this about 6 months ago! Yay!!!! So excited to order your book!
Thank you for your support ❤️❤️❤️
Well, I am just so confused. I did well following keto because there is some fiber in low carb greens and veggies but
I can see myself having bowel issues if I only eat meat!
what about fiber?
thanks so much for your response
Actually, studies have shown that fiber makes constipation worse:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3435786/pdf/WJG-18-4593.pdf
Fiber is a non-digestible, non-essential nutrient. There is no need for it. The gut flora thrives on other fermentables (glucosamine, collagen, etc in meats).
Thank you for writing this…I’ve already pre-ordered my copy!! And thank you for being you! You are an angel in my life and I’m getting healthier everyday because of you!
Thanks!
If carnivore is protein, that contradicts what you say in Quick & Easy Ketogenic cooking on page 6, where you say excess protein turns into sugar. So confused.
That book was written about 5 or more years ago. We have published an update to that and have posted many times that latest science on that.
https://mariamindbodyhealth.com/gluconeogenesis-on-a-ketogenic-diet/
So excited for this new book. I have already gone ahead and preordered it on amazon! I have been seriously considering a carnivore style diet for the last few months (after being keto for a little over a year with great results) because my IBD symptoms tend to resurface when I eat plant foods. I have many of your existing books and have found them invaluable in my healing journey, but when my symptoms began coming back recently I started to worry that I may need something different. I think this could be the answer and I am ready to give it my best shot, so I am glad to see that you will be releasing this. 🙂 Your other books have inspired me so much in the kitchen and in reaching my own goals, I’m sure this one will too. Much appreciation and much love to you and yours!
Awesome! Thank you!!
Hi Maria,
I am very keen to start a carnivore diet for depression and anxiety levels. I do have thyroid problems and I am currently on medication for them. Is carnivore diet ok if having thyroid issues.
Karen
Yes, carnivore is great. I would give it a try. 🙂
30 years I haven’t eaten red meat. I simply don’t like it. I do eat pork, chicken and turkey. I’m trying to do this lifestyle based on my proteins.
That will still work. Fish and seafood are great too. 🙂
Maria,
The book looks very interesting! I am curious about your meat link to US Wellness meats. Did something change with Butcher Box?
Nope, Butcherbox is great. US Wellness just has some things that Butcherbox doesn’t carry like sugar free brats, hotdogs, bologna, breakfast links, etc.
What do you think about the carnivore diet and pregnancy?
It think it is fine if done correctly (nose to tail). 🙂
Prepurchased! Can’t wait!
Thanks!!
How many days a week do you eat pure protein days? Daily? 1 day?
Or do you generally eat fatty meats, eggs and cheese/kefir so you do pure protein days only rarely?
As an aside…I am a person who needs greens and lettuces to have actual BMs. I have a severe rectocele. Its not a gut issue. Im not constipated. Its a structural anomaly. Daily greens, I go no problem (daily). Just meat and eggs, Im in trouble w/in 2 days.
In our book we say to add them 2-3 days a week to break a stall or improve results as it is very low in fat (30-40g a day) and calories. Then higher fat (normal weight loss keto) the other days.
Dear Maria
I think your books and web information are all great! However please note when you are doing an edit or writing new information the word you need to use is ‘palate’ not pallet. A pallet is the wooden base for a fork lift truck to move heavy items in a warehouse or builders yard! Your palate is in your mouth and is “the ability to distinguish between and appreciate different flavours”. However, please keep writing. Best wishes.
Yes, that was a typo. I fixed it. Thanks!
HELP! Please : )
Maria I have been Keto for almost a month and I am down 20 pounds! I still have a long way to go to get to my former 118 pound self.
I have severe PCOS (had a PCOS tumor the size of a large grapefruit/small melon), severe acne, PCT seizures since age 5, history of a dissected carotid artery, gray matter on the brain, MCTD, MVP, IBS and to top it all off my doctor said my blood work a few months ago shows I have a parathyroid problem.
I refuse to except that there is no solution to parathyroid issues but surgery! Help.
I started having PCOS symptoms at age 11. They found my tumor at age 30 and I was not told I had PCOS until age 38! I was told it was all fibromyalgia. I just knew in my heart they were wrong. I was right I had PCOS as well as other health problems.
My body is so damaged from the meds and years of being misdiagnosed not to mention the “6 to 8 servings daily whole grain diet” they put me on as well as and the “Mediterranean loads of legumes plan”. I gained more and more weight except when I starved myself after a doctor said if I just lost 50 pounds all my health issues would disappear. So I went cold turkey vegan. I starved on 500 to 700 calories of vegan food for 7 1/2 months to lose 80 pounds was at goal weight for 5 years and not one single change in my health. I was still sick. I finally gave up and ate a burger! But then….
I found you on a web-site and you had PCOS! Thus I started Keto. Happy with my success in the last 26 days but is there any advice you can give in regards to the parathyroid problem. I really don’t want my throat slit aka surgery. I would appreciate any advice. I didn’t find parathyroid in your blog. So sorry to bother you but I feel like all the specialists I have are failing me.
Asked my doctor about KETO he went off on me about how bad it is. REALLY! I’ve been doing his way for 10 years and no change in fact worse now at age 48. I do not care what he thinks after dropping 20 pounds in less than a month! Clearly KETO works.
Thank you for helping so many like me and for all the work you are doing to change the lives of so many. God bless you and all your family. So happy for you and all your success.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing! As for the thyroid, this lifestyle and some supplements can be very helpful. A health assessment here would be a great option.
https://keto-adapted.com/product/assessment-form/