One of the most exciting health trends that have been gaining popularity in the last few years is the Carnivore Diet, popularized by Shawn Baker. People across the globe are adopting this new trend much like the keto and vegan diets. This diet has a long history and has been practiced by many indigenous tribes in the world. These tribes traditionally held low rates of heart disease coupled with no nutritional deficiencies, a paradox of a high-meat, high-fat diet. In this article, you will learn about the carnivore diet and its benefits. Check out this article from https://bowaddicted.com/history-of-humans-eating-meat-hunting/ to learn how early humans started eating meat.
(Carnivore Diet: Basic Guide And Benefits. Credit: Pixabay)
What is Carnivore Diet?
If your thought the Keto or Paleo diet were restrictive, Carnivore Diet is the new next level. As the name suggests, it is an all-meat diet that consists of animal products, fish, and eggs. It is a high protein and a very low carb diet packed with all the fats that come along with the meat. The diet is simple as you exclude everything that is not meat or an animal product such as fruits, vegetables, bread, and much more. Well, it is safe to say that it is the complete opposite of a vegan diet.
How to Start a Beginners Carnivore Diet
Step 1: Start a 30-Day Challenge
A good way to begin any diet is to start a 30-day challenge by following the strict rules of your diet. By doing so, you prepare yourself for the diet and make the necessary changes that are required for your diet. It is important to keep track of your diet and the changes that may have occurred to help you know if this is the diet plan for you or no. Use your time to notice changes such as energy levels, weight loss, better sleep, and any other subjective and objective health-related changes.
Step 2: Eat only meat
As discussed this is a meat-only diet, which means you will not have anything else apart from meat. Be open to different and all types of meat. While some people add dairy products such as cottage cheese, cream but some do not. Natural saturated and unsaturated animal fat on the meat provides additional daily nutritional needs that your body requires for staying healthy. It also provides the protein, minerals, vitamins & other nutrients from the meat. Plus, adding fat makes any food tastier. Picanha steaks are a type of meat traditionally eaten in Brazil and later in Portugal. Though not as common in the United States, it has become more popular in the past few years due to the spread of Brazilian steakhouses. Learn where to buy Picanha, which can be great addition in your carnivore diet.
(Carnivore Diet: Basic Guide And Benefits. Credit: Pixabay)
Step 3: Drink Mainly Water
If you are new to the diet, it is important to note how strict you want to be with your carnivore diet. Most followers choose to drink only water while they adhere to the rules of the diet. Since you may be new to this type of eating style, it is recommended to have only water for the 30-day challenge. Some people do include drinks like tea and coffee or other sources of fat like dairy products. Avoid any beverages that have added carbs like vegetable drinks, protein shakes, energy drinks, etc
Step 4: Eat Till You’re Full
Whether you eat three meals a day or one meal a day, it is important to eat till you’re full. During the course of your diet, your appetite will change and it is important that you eat to your energy needs and not go hungry. Eating too little may result in excessive weight loss and can cause other symptoms to arise during that time.
Benefits of Carnivore Diet
Following an only-meat diet, will make you feel better in a span of 30 days and you can see a positive change physically and mentally.
- Weight Loss
- Decrease Inflammation levels
- Increased Testosterone
- Reduce glucose levels
- Mental clarity
(Carnivore Diet: Basic Guide And Benefits. Credit: Pixabay)
Common Mistakes During the Carnivore Diet
Like any new diet, you must remain focused and positive about the new restrictions of the diet. Do not give up too soon just because you don’t feel so good. Remember, your body is changing as it is getting used to using fats for energy rather than carbs. It is normal to experience some headaches, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms in the first few weeks. People often underestimate the importance of the little things that are essential during the diet. The common mistakes people make during the diet include eating too little, avoiding fatty meats, drinking very little water, and not adding salt to your food.
Conclusion
Any diet has its benefits and drawbacks as we are accustomed to our own traditional ways of eating. Remember no matter which diet you’re about to follow, get experts advice who can help set a scheduled diet plan to match your body needs. Track Everything! Everything you experience during a diet make sure that you note it down so that at the end of the diet plan. You know how much you have grown in terms of health mentally and physically.