Meat-Only Madness: How the Carnivore Diet Backfired on My Health
This is how my body reacted to the three weeks test
For years, I've been deeply focused on optimizing my health. I've consumed countless books, studies, and podcasts, always eager to learn.
Whenever I come across a promising approach, I test it to see how it works for me. Some experiments become part of my routine, while others I abandon after the trial.
Recently, I tried the Carnivore Diet, which seemed entirely at odds with my idea of healthy eating.
Desperation pushed me to try it. I've had hypothyroidism for five years, and over the past year, my symptoms worsened. Even though scientific backing is minimal, I’d heard anecdotal claims (miracle stories) that this diet helps with chronic conditions.
The start
For context, I’ve maintained a low-carb diet for years—about 50-60g of carbs daily, increasing to 100g on strength-training days. But this experiment meant eliminating carbs entirely. I even began with a 40-hour fast as an introduction.
The goal was 200g of protein daily, with about 70% of calories from fat. On paper, this seemed like a lot of meat and fat. As suggested, I started with beef, eggs, and butter, eating once a day.
From day one, I struggled with the amount I consumed. It was overwhelming. I split meals into two portions by the second day, but even that felt impossible. I reduced my intake, falling short of the recommended protein target.
Initially, I avoided coffee. That didn’t last long, however. I remembered drinking Bulletproof coffee during a keto diet test, so I returned to it as an easy way to boost my fat intake.
By week three, I had expanded my menu to include chicken, fish, and pork. The variety helped, but the challenges persisted.
How did I feel?
From the start, my sleep deteriorated, and my HRV (tracked with an Oura ring) dropped significantly.
This indicated stress, not just at night but throughout the day. Training, an essential part of my life, became a disaster. My usual routine—three strength sessions, two cardio workouts, and intervals—fell apart. Despite expecting an adjustment period for fat adaptation, the stress and poor sleep made me stop after three weeks.
A couple of days later, I caught a cold, which is rare. It might have been coincidental, but the combination of stress and impaired sleep likely contributed to the illness.
So, why did I try this diet?
I was curious about ketosis—the metabolic state that occurs without carbs. While keto diets have origins in epilepsy treatment, I wondered if ketosis could affect hypothyroidism. It was a long shot but worth testing.
Some Carnivore proponents argue that adaptation takes months, not weeks. That may be true, but the stress and sleep issues have made the process unsustainable.
Now, I’m focused on recovering. It may take weeks to feel like myself again, but the experience taught me much about what doesn’t work for my body.
Do I recommend the Carnivore diet? No way! It is not a diet for a long, healthy life.
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