The Nutritionist’s Guide to the Carnivore Diet: A Beginner’s Guide

I have been on the carnivore diet for over a year now and while the diet (or what we call the carnivorous way of eating) has become increasingly popular, thanks to the likes of Dr. Shawn Baker, Mikhaila Peterson and longtime carnivores such as Amber O’Hearn, there isn’t much succinct information out there to help curious folks easily get started (at the time of article print, September 2018).

Before we get started, let me throw in some the legal disclaimers: While I am a nutritional therapy practitioner and provide nutritional support, I am not providing medical advice. Any information provided in regards to nutritional therapy should not be considered medical advice or treatment. While I do partner with physicians to provide holistic nutrition and lifestyle support, whenever you start a new diet, always consult your primary care physician and/or holistic team.

So here’s to paying it forward.

Part 1: What exactly is the Zero Carb Carnivore way of eating?

When I first started carnivore, I wasn’t sure how to begin. I knew that a low carb high fat, ketogenic (keto) diet had helped me tremendously with many physical and mental ailments but I was still struggling with cravings (diet soda!) and inflammation, to name a few. I heard a little about the meat only diet but what exactly is it?

How much do you eat?

What do you eat and when?

Do you follow the diet only while you heal and/or optimize health?

Does the diet only work as a lifestyle?

The zero carb carnivore or carnivore diet is often times thought of as the perfect elimination diet since most of us do not suffer any ailments from eating meat, especially beef. Some of us start carnivore because of weight stalls or other ailments that Keto or some other diet was not able to completely heal.

We start the diet by eating only what is part of the animal kingdom. Some carnivores simplify down to eating beef and water only.