The Carnivore Diet
Your Diet Sucks
The Shift from Carnivore Diet to Carnivore Light and Its Consequences
This chapter explores the transformation of the carnivore diet as it adapts to the health concerns of its followers, particularly the inclusion of fruits and honey. It also critiques the cult-like enthusiasm surrounding the diet and humorously captures the peculiarities of trendy grocery shopping.
This week, Zoë and Kylee tackle the carnivore diet, the internet’s most extreme eating trend. From raw liver smoothies at Erewhon to shirtless influencers promising that “meat heals everything,” the carnivore diet has exploded in popularity. But what really happens when you cut out all plants and live on ribeye steaks, bacon, and bone broth?
We explore the strange history of meat-only diets, from 1920s Bellevue experiments to modern influencers like Shawn Baker and Paul Saladino. We unpack the claims about plant “toxins,” the allure of ketosis, and why athletes, especially women, need carbs for performance, recovery, and hormone health. And we dig into the environmental cost of ribeye-heavy eating, why beef is one of the most resource-intensive foods on the planet, and how climate denial often gets wrapped into carnivore culture.
So should you go full T-Rex? Probably not. But understanding the hype—and the risks—shows why restrictive food fads keep spreading, and why carbs are still essential for endurance athletes and long-term health.
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