Top 5 Reasons to Try the Carnivore Diet
Reviewed by Eric Westman, MD, MHS (June 2025)
Feeling Like You’ve Tried Everything? Top 5 Reasons to Consider the Carnivore Diet
For many, the journey to wellness is a frustrating cycle of hope and disappointment. You’ve counted the calories, measured the macros, and swapped your favorite sugary treats for pork rinds and salami. You’ve gone Paleo, then tried strict keto – and that was after decades of already having tried low-fat. Despite your best efforts, the stubborn weight remains, the brain fog persists, and that nagging feeling of being unwell just won’t go away. If this sounds like your story, you’re not alone. And for a growing number of people who have reached the end of their dietary rope, a radical new approach is offering a surprising sense of hope: the carnivore diet.
This all-meat, or nearly all-meat, way of eating is exactly what it sounds like – a diet centered around animal products like meat, fish, and eggs, and excluding all plant-based foods. It’s a concept that flies in the face of conventional nutritional wisdom, yet the anecdotal evidence and preliminary research are compelling enough to warrant a closer look, especially for those who feel like they’ve exhausted all other options.
Here are the top five reasons why the carnivore diet might be the transformative change you’ve been searching for.
1. The Ultimate Elimination Diet for Stubborn Ailments
If you’re battling chronic inflammation or you have an autoimmune condition, you’ve likely heard of elimination diets. The carnivore diet is arguably the most thorough elimination diet possible. By removing all plant-based foods, you are also eliminating potential irritants like lectins, oxalates, and phytates, which some research suggests can contribute to gut inflammation and autoimmune responses in sensitive individuals. For those who have tried countless other dietary interventions without success, this “ground-zero” approach can provide a baseline to finally understand how their body feels without these potential triggers.
2. A Potential Breakthrough for Mental Clarity and Mood
The connection between our gut and our brain is a rapidly evolving area of scientific research. Many proponents of the carnivore diet report a significant and often unexpected improvement in their mental state. Feelings of brain fog are said to lift, replaced by sharp focus and more stable moods. While clinical trials are still needed, the theory is that carnivore diets support cognitive function and mental health by stabilizing blood sugar and insulin levels, removing potentially inflammatory foods, and providing an abundance of brain-supportive nutrients, like choline, vitamin B12, and zinc.
3. Effortless Weight Loss and Appetite Regulation
For many, the constant battle with hunger and cravings is the downfall of any diet. Some people struggle with food cravings even on a well-formulated keto diet. The carnivore diet, being high in protein and fat, is incredibly satiating. Many people find that their appetite naturally regulates, and the constant “food noise” in their head quiets down. This can lead to effortless weight loss without the need for meticulous calorie counting or portion control. Personal stories abound of significant and sustainable weight loss on a carnivore diet, often after years of struggling with other diets.
4. Simplified Eating and Freedom from “Diet Dogma”
In a world of complex and often contradictory dietary advice, the simplicity of the carnivore diet can be a breath of fresh air. There are no complicated recipes, no measuring cups, and no debating whether a particular food is “allowed.” This straightforward approach can reduce the mental burden of dieting and foster a more intuitive relationship with food. For those who have felt overwhelmed by the rules and restrictions of other diets, this simplicity can be a welcome emotional release.
5. A Return to Ancestral Roots and a Focus on Nutrient Density
The carnivore diet is based on the premise that humans evolved for millions of years primarily as carnivores or apex predators. Proponents argue that our bodies are optimized to thrive on animal-based nutrients, which are more bioavailable than some of the same nutrients in plants. While modern dietary guidelines emphasize a plant-heavy diet, the carnivore approach challenges this by focusing on nutrient-dense animal foods that provide everything needed for human health – a controversial but thought-provoking perspective.
Important Considerations Before You Begin
It is crucial to approach the carnivore diet with careful consideration and, ideally, under the guidance of a healthcare professional. The diet is restrictive and not without potential risks. Critics point to the lack of fiber, the potential for nutrient deficiencies in the long term, and concerns about high saturated fat intake and its effect on cholesterol levels – but these issues are areas of heated debate and controversy, with a growing body of research questioning or disproving the conventional thinking. For those who have truly “tried everything else” and are still searching for answers to their chronic health issues, the carnivore diet may offer a path forward. It’s a significant commitment, but for a growing number of people, the potential rewards have been nothing short of life-changing.
Disclaimer: Before embarking on any dietary change, please consult with a medical professional to ensure it is the right and safe choice for your individual health needs.
Reviewer Bio
Eric Westman, MD, MHS, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University, the Medical Director of Adapt Your Life Academy and the founder of the Duke Keto Medicine Clinic in Durham, North Carolina. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine and has a master’s degree in clinical research. As a past President of the Obesity Medicine Association and a Fellow of the Obesity Society. Dr. Westman was named “Bariatrician of the Year” for his work in advancing the field of obesity medicine. He is a best-selling author of several books relating to ketogenic diets as well as co-author on over 100 peer-reviewed publications related to ketogenic diets, type 2 diabetes, obesity, smoking cessation, and more. He is an internationally recognized expert on the therapeutic use of dietary carbohydrate restriction and has helped thousands of people in his clinic and far beyond, by way of his famous “Page 4” food list.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided by Adapt Your Life Academy (“we,” “us” or “our”) on www.adaptyourlifeacademy.com (the “Site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. Please see our full disclaimer for further information.
