Should You Go Full Carnivore? The Pros And Cons Of Eating Nothing But Meat.

Have you ever thought about going full-on carnivore?

It’s a lifestyle that has picked up more and more steam over the past few years, especially among health enthusiasts who often start out by just cutting out sugar and refined carbohydrates, but at some point decide to go all in on MEAT.

On the one hand, it makes life pretty simple, when you’re eating nothing but meat and butter.

But is it really sustainable? And more importantly, is it actually good for you, especially long term?

That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today.

If this is your first time reading the Thinlicious® blog, then you should also know that I am pretty much obsessed with one thing—helping women over 40 create FREEDOM in their lives by transforming their health. I like to think of it as starting a HEALTH REVOLUTION, and that’s really what this blog is all about.

It’s about the freedom to feel your best. The freedom to NOT be controlled by food addictions ever again. And the freedom to confidently pursue all your big goals and dreams because your health and weight issues are no longer holding you back.

And if that gets you excited, then you’ll probably like it here! We are health REBELS, and we’re not afraid to question the status quo or do things a little differently. We’re not looking for a quick fix, but a real, sustainable lifestyle change that will actually work for the long haul.

And if that’s your goal, then you’re in the right place. So thank you for being here.

But the reality is that there are actually a lot of different approaches to achieving that goal of health transformation, which, at its most basic level, really comes down to 3 things—reversing insulin resistance, healing your gut, and balancing your hormone.

If you want to be healthy, if you want to lose the excess weight and feel good and eliminate inflammation in your body and have tons of energy, that’s the answer.

Reverse insulin resistance.

Heal your gut.

Balance your hormones.

That’s it.

When you do that. You will feel better. You will look better. You will be healthy. You will be radiant. Your immune system will be strong. All that freedom I just talked about will be yours.

And while traditional medicine and Big Pharma wants you to believe that medication is the answer, the one thing I can tell you without ANY hesitation is that pharmaceuticals are NOT the way to heal your body.

Because modern medicine is not designed to HEAL you. It’s created to manage your symptoms.

If you ACTUALLY want to reverse insulin resistance, heal your gut, and balance your hormones, the ONLY way to do that is by changing what you eat. You have to eliminate the excess of sugar and processed crap in your diet, because that is what has directly caused the problem. Our Standard American Diet is basically loaded with garbage and toxic chemicals that have wreaked havoc on our health—caused rampant insulin resistance and destroyed our gut biomes, which in turn has thrown all of our hormones out of whack.

So it’s completely fixable, with the right lifestyle changes.

But within those lifestyle changes, there are definitely some different approaches.

I guess you could almost call it a continuum.

On the one side of the continuum, you have a more moderate approach—an approach that calls for cutting out refined sugar and processed food, but still allows for a large variety of whole foods—fruits and vegetables and dairy and meat, and even some starches like rice and potatoes and sourdough bread, at least in moderation.

It’s the approach that advocates for metabolic flexibility and believes our bodies are designed to eat a variety of foods, and that if you’ve actually healed your body—you’ve reversed insulin resistance and healed your gut and balanced your hormones—that there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy a diverse diet that is full of nutrient-dense whole foods and healthy fat.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you probably already know that this is basically my approach, and this is the goal of my TAS program—to help you heal your body and create metabolic flexibility so that you can ultimately enjoy a wide variety of foods, knowing that your body can handle it. And that’s also why my program is split into different phases, because healing your body takes time.

But on the other end of this continuum is the Carnivore diet.

A lifestyle where you literally eat nothing but MEAT and FAT—mostly animal fat, like butter, lard, and beef tallow—and maybe a few eggs.

And if that sounds extreme, it is.

But proponents of the carnivore diet make a lot of good arguments for why it’s worth it.

And so today I wanted to explore it a little more—to weigh the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself whether going full carnivore might be an option you’d like to try.

But before we dive in, there ‘s something I’d like to mention really quickly.

It’s that if you are new to this blog and you want to know more about how my TAS program works, and whether or not it might be a good fit for you, and you want to map out an actual 12 month plan for transforming your health, then I’ve put together a really great on-demand training video that you can watch called “Happy, Healthy & Free” It’s really good, and it’s totally free, and you can watch it by going to HERE.

So definitely go do that if you haven’t already.

Okay, so with all of that out of the way, let’s go ahead and dive into everything you need to know about the carnivore diet, and whether it could be right for you.

My Own Carnivore Journey

And I’ll be honest, if you had told me five years ago that I would be writing a blog post talking about whether or not you should eat nothing but MEAT, I probably would have laughed in your face.

Because I was a vegetarian for a VERY long time—28 years to be exact—before I started eating meat again.

And in all that time I wasn’t eating meat, I had no idea just how devastating that plant-based diet was for my health. How I was so deficient in protein and iron and essential b vitamins. How I was eating SO much sugar and carbohydrates and so much soy that was wreaking havoc on my hormones. I couldn’t figure out why it was so hard to lose weight because I honestly thought that what I was eating was HEALTHY.

But it was not.

And when I started eating meat, I felt SO much better.

Honestly, I joked I felt like Bella at the end of those Twilight movies, where she wakes up and she’s a vampire and all of the sudden she’s so strong and powerful.

It was crazy.

But having been a vegetarian for all those years, I have to also say—I really LIKE vegetables. Like, a LOT. And I like food in general. I like to cook. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m constantly sharing the recipes I develop in my own kitchen—healthier, more hormone friendly versions of all my favorite things.

So I don’t know that I could ever give that up, at least not long term. I’d be too bored.

But my sister is totally different. She doesn’t love to cook and hates grocery shopping. Her kids are grown, so it’s just her and her husband, and so when she started learning more about the carnivore diet, it totally appealed to her because it was so simple.

So, a few months ago, she decided to try it. And she loved it. And she started seeing huge improvements in her health. She lost weight. She started sleeping better. She had more energy.

And I’m SO happy and excited for her! I think EVERYONE should figure out a lifestyle that works for YOU. And if that’s what works for her, then that’s a really good thing.

And as she started diving into the carnivore world, and finding people to follow online, she came across a doctor who was hosting a Carnivore Cruise, so she asked my husband and I to go along with her and her husband.

And I’m not a huge cruise person to be honest, it’s not my favorite. But my husband LOVES cruising, so he was all for it, so we decided to go. Now obviously it’s a big ship and not everyone on the ship was part of this Carnivore group, so there was plenty of food available that wasn’t just carnivore, but I decided that if I was going, I would try it for a week—to eat nothing but meat.

And honestly, it was actually really easy to stick to. It was super simple. It eliminated a lot of decision fatigue. For breakfast every morning, I basically just ate 3 eggs that I requested to have cooked in butter rather than the normal seed oils they use, along with a few pork sausage links.

And that was super filling. That meant for lunch, I was never very hungry, which was good because honestly the buffet lunches on this particular ship were not very appetizing. Even if I had been eating everything, I don’t know that there was much I would have even wanted to eat.

But most days, I just did a burger patty. They had these burgers of the day that had different kinds of cheese on them—one day was a french onion burger, another was a fiesta burger. I just ate the burger and cheese with no bun and that was easy.

And then at dinner, I mostly ate red meat and fish. The cool thing about cruises is that you can order multiple entrees—there’s no limit—so on the night we had beef tenderloin, I think I ordered 3 servings. Other nights I had filet and new york strip and salmon and lobster.

But like I said, it was super easy. I was never hungry. And I didn’t really feel like I was missing out. But I did feel like the food overall on the ship was just okay. It wasn’t amazing. I think that’s the problem with liking to cook. I really like my OWN food and I was ready to come home and eat my own good food again.

And even though I ate a TON of food on our week long cruise—and was probably close to 3,000 or 4,000 calories a day—I didn’t gain a single pound on the trip. So just from that perspective, it was a win.

But what I did miss was vegetables. And berries. And sauces and flavors. I LOVE sauce. It all felt very monotonous. Very boring. And for some people I think that would be okay. My sister loves it. But I don’t think it would be sustainable for me long term.

So that’s my own personal experience.

But I’m just one person, and every body is different. And just because I’ve realized carnivore probably isn’t the right fit for ME, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a good fit for you, or even something that you may want to try for a while.

What is Carnivore?

So what exactly IS carnivore? Is it just eating nothing but steak all day, every day?

Well, that’s definitely one way to do it. But the general premise is that you are following a diet that consists mostly of animal products—so meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and some dairy. And usually with this comes a restriction on plant-based foods like vegetables and fruits.

It tends to be VERY high in protein—often as much as 200 grams a day or more, which I guess isn’t that surprising if you’re eating nothing but meat—and most carnivores also tend to eat a lot of animal-based fat as well. Some carnivores will even eat sticks of butter!

But there are different variations of carnivore as well. Some people allow for certain types of vegetables or low-sugar fruits in small amounts. Others may incorporate bone broth and organ meats into their diet.

Ultimately, the goal is to eliminate processed foods and focus on whole, nutrient-dense sources of animal protein.

Potential Benefits

So why would someone choose to follow a carnivore diet? Well, there are lots of benefits that have been reported by those who follow it. These include weight loss, improved digestion and gut health, increased energy levels, better sleep, and even relief from certain health conditions such as autoimmune disorders.

These benefits all come ultimately from reversing insulin resistance, healing your gut, and balancing your hormones, which is what will happen when you eliminate sugar and processed food from your diet and instead focus on protein and healthy fat.

But like I talk about on this blog all the time, all of those benefits can also be achieved by taking a more moderate approach—by just cutting out sugar and processed food and focusing on a VARIETY whole foods, while including lots of foods that are rich in nutrient dense protein and healthy fat. You don’t actually have to ONLY eat nothing but meat to see those kind of results.

So why would you want to take it to such an extreme?

Well, from what I can tell, there are a few benefits that may come from a strictly carnivore diet.

Eliminating Plant Based Toxins

One of the main arguments for going strict carnivore is the idea that some plants contain natural toxins that can be harmful to certain people. These toxins, like lectins, oxalates, and phytates, are essentially plants’ defense mechanisms to protect themselves from being eaten. While most people can handle these in small amounts without any issues, others may find they cause digestive problems, inflammation, or even exacerbate autoimmune conditions.

For example, those who are sensitive to oxalates, which are found in foods like spinach, almonds, and sweet potatoes, might experience joint pain or kidney stone formation. Cutting out plant-based foods entirely could alleviate these problems for those individuals. By removing plants from the equation, you give your body a chance to reset and potentially heal from years of irritation caused by these compounds.

Now, does that mean everyone is going to thrive without plants? No. I personally do just fine eating them (in fact, I MISS them!), but for some people, eliminating them might be exactly what they need to feel better. Again, it’s all about finding what works best for your body.

Easier Digestion & Gut Function

Another touted benefit of the carnivore diet is that it can be easier on digestion for some people.

In fact, there are some arguments that our human digestion system is much more equipped to digest meat than plants.

When you think about it, meat is pretty straightforward for your body to break down and utilize, especially compared to certain fibrous or starchy plant foods. For individuals with sensitive stomachs, conditions like IBS, or food intolerances, cutting out tricky-to-digest plant fibers might bring some much-needed relief.

I’ve heard stories from people who say their bloating and gas disappeared entirely once they went carnivore—like, puffiness gone, flat stomach kind of magic. (Can you imagine? Miracle pants day every day!) The theory is that since animal protein and fat don’t ferment in the gut the way certain carbohydrates do, you’re less likely to end up feeling like a human hot air balloon.

That being said, it’s important to remember not all digestive systems are created equal. While some people thrive on a no-fiber diet, your bestie might end up, well, a little stuck. (I think you know what I mean.) Plus, many of us actually rely on fiber to fuel those lovely little bugs in our gut microbiome. If you’re going carnivore, you might miss out on some of that beneficial fermentation action that supports gut health.

But hey, if fiber has been your nemesis, carnivore could be the break your digestion has been craving. Just make sure you’re paying attention to how your body reacts—because trust me, your gut will tell you what it thinks. Sometimes loudly. Very, very loudly.

Minimizing Food Allergies & Sensitivities

Another compelling reason some people go all-in on carnivore is to minimize food allergies and sensitivities. The idea is that by stripping your diet down to just a few basic foods—meat, eggs, and animal-based products—it’s much easier to identify and eliminate potential triggers. Think of it like resetting your body to factory settings. If you’ve been struggling with mysterious skin rashes, upset stomachs, or random headaches that come out of nowhere, a carnivore diet might help you figure out what’s been causing the drama.

For example, some folks don’t even realize they have mild intolerances to things like gluten, dairy, or soy until they cut them out completely. By simplifying your diet to the basics, you’re basically giving your system a clean slate. And once you start reintroducing foods (assuming you don’t plan on eating ribeye forever), you can easily pinpoint what works for you and what sends your body into full-on revolt.

To me, this is honestly the best argument for going full-on carnivore, at least for a while. If you’re really struggling with chronic health issues and can’t seem to find relief no matter what, it might be worth a shot. Or, if you’ve already tried eliminating sugar and processed food, but you’re still struggling to lose weight, it could be that there’s something still in your diet that your body isn’t agreeing with, which is keeping you stuck. Going full carnivore could help you break through that plateau and find out what is that your body doesn’t handle well.

Simplicity

One of the underrated perks of the carnivore diet is just how darn simple it can be. No more agonizing over meal prep or spending half an hour reading labels to figure out if something fits your macros or your “rules.” On carnivore, you don’t have to question, “Is this okay to eat?” If it comes from an animal, you’re golden. Steak? Yep. Bacon? Absolutely. Cheese? Bring it on (unless you’re going hardcore, dairy-free carnivore—but hey, that’s next-level). It’s like giving your brain a vacation from decision fatigue.

Plus, grocery shopping becomes hilariously quick. You can skip 90% of the store and head straight for the meat section like a bounty hunter on a mission. Forget about spending 15 minutes debating between kale or spinach—your only decision is ribeye or sirloin. And meal planning? It’s basically just a rotation of different cuts of meat (possibly with some eggs or butter thrown in for pizzazz). It’s so simple you almost feel like you’re cheating at life.

On the flip side, simplicity might start to feel, well, monotonous over time. If the thought of eating yet another burger patty makes you want to cry into your bone broth, it might be a sign that carnivore isn’t a forever diet for you. But for those who genuinely love the foods allowed and thrive on routine, the simplicity can be a major stress-reliever in a world full of too many choices.

Weight Loss & Body Composition

Ah, weight loss—one of the biggest reasons people get drawn to carnivore in the first place. And yes, for many, it works like a charm. Why? Well, for starters, you’re automatically ditching carbs, which means your body starts burning fat for fuel (hello, ketosis). Plus, animal-based foods are naturally satiating, so you’re less likely to overeat. I mean, have you tried to binge on steak? Good luck with that. A couple of ribeyes in, and your body is waving the white flag.

Another reason carnivore can help with weight loss is that it eliminates all those sneaky foods that can trip you up—things like “healthy” granola bars loaded with sugar or that dairy-free ice cream that, oops, you ended up eating the whole pint of. When you’re eating just meat, eggs, and animal-based fats, there aren’t many opportunities to go off the rails. It’s kind of foolproof that way.

But it’s not just about losing weight—people on carnivore also report major improvements in body composition. They’ll say things like, “I didn’t just lose weight—I finally started seeing actual muscle definition.” Part of that might be due to the high protein intake, which supports muscle growth and recovery. Or maybe it’s just that when you cut out inflammation-triggering foods, your body can finally focus on looking and feeling its best. Whatever the case, carnivore seems to be a solid option for those looking to tone up.

That said, it’s not all smooth sailing for everyone. Some people notice that while they lose weight initially, they hit a plateau or even start gaining again if portion sizes get out of control (yes, even on an all-meat diet, calories still count at some point). Others might find the lack of variety makes it tough to stick to long-term, which can eventually derail progress.

Is it Worth It?

At the end of the day, the carnivore diet is like that one diet out there that sounds both completely wild and oddly appealing at the same time. Do you need to go full carnivore to be healthy? Absolutely not. Many people thrive on a more balanced diet that includes plants, protein, and healthy fats. But if you’re someone who’s been struggling with chronic health issues, food sensitivities, or plateaus despite doing all the “right” things, it might be worth experimenting with.

On the flip side, if you love a variety of food like I do, it might not be the most sustainable option for you, especially not long term. The monotony got to me after just a week, but for other people it might not be a big deal at all. Only you’ll be able to figure that out for yourself. But I think one other thing to consider is that being on such a restrictive diet can make travel and even socializing feel a whole lot harder. And that’s not a sacrifice I’m willing to make either.

The key, as with any diet, is listening to your body and being flexible. If you try full carnivore and feel amazing, great—stick with it. If you’re a week in and dreaming about avocados or chocolate, maybe it’s time to loosen the reins and adjust to something more sustainable. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to health and nutrition. It really is all about figuring out what works for you.