The Carnivore Diet and Other Trending Diets

It seems like every new year there are new fad diets, many with little to no scientific research to back its health claims. This year is no different with trending diets like the carnivore diet and the planetary health diet. With all these new diets suddenly popping up or growing in popularity it's difficult to keep them all straight, but don’t worry, this blog will help give you the tools you need to better understand them.

The Carnivore Diet

Rawrrr! When hearing about the carnivore diet it conjures to mind the ancient dinosaurs of the past, hunting prey for their next meal. These days the hunting of prey is optional, most people will probably choose to go to their local supermarket instead to satisfy their meat craving. But what exactly is the carnivore diet and what are its restrictions? The carnivore diet follows the current bandwagon of low-carb diets such as the

ketogenic diet and takes it to the next level, a zero-carb diet. That’s right, this diet is all about animal meat, fish and animal products such as eggs but limits or eliminates dairy products with lactose. Water is of course allowed but this diet disavows the commonly held belief that plant foods are healthy and seeks to eliminate any food that comes from a plant or contains sugar. This means no fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts or legumes - a very restricted diet.

Why are People Choosing it?

There are numerous health claims behind this diet such as: weight loss, appetite control, improved skin conditions, reduced joint pain, reduced inflammation, improved mood and energy, improved mental clarity and reduced recovery times just to name a few. There are even proponents that claim that it can cure autoimmune disease. The diet grew in popularity recently when Shawn Baker, a former doctor and bodybuilder, advocated for it’s benefits on a popular podcast called “The Joe Rogan Experience”. Although the diet focuses on just one food group, for die-hard meat-eaters this can be a dream come true.

What Research is Backing it?

The short answer, none. There is currently no long-term research done to study the effects of the carnivore diet. The diet’s benefits and effectiveness are based on anecdotal evidence and the beliefs that plants contain toxic substances such as phytochemicals and “anti-nutrients”. It’s important to take the anecdotal evidence behind this diet with a grain of salt, it’s possible that some individuals have had some short-term benefits such as weight loss from this diet but that does not mean it is healthy in the long term, specially since research has shown that people who have lost weight on restrictive diets often gain it back over time.

The Planetary Health Diet

Some of you may still be wondering what the planetary health diet that I mentioned

earlier is all about. Don’t worry, I didn’t forget. I mentioned in my previous blog post a little bit about consumers becoming more conscientious about the sustainability of the foods we eat and that’s what this diet is all about. A diet with a focus on planetary health is very different than the typical fad diet that focuses on weight loss or some other health benefits.

What Does This Diet Consist of?

This diet is much less restrictive than the previously mentioned carnivore diet and in a lot of ways, the total opposite. The diet does not call for total elimination of any food groups, but instead asks for a simple reduction in the amount of foods from animal sources and to instead eat more foods from plant sources. This type of diet is very similar to that of a reducetarian or flexitarian, but with a different primary goal of our planet’s health. The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health developed the diet

and strategies behind it, and they have included some recommendations for a healthy diet for macronutrient and calorie ranges here if you want to look at specifics.

Why Choose This Diet?

Many people be already be following this diet and not even realizing it because of its similarity to other diets focusing on reduction instead of elimination. Whether you believe that following this diet will improve the health of the planet or not, there is evidence to support some health benefits from plant-based diets making it a win-win if you don’t mind cutting back on animal products. Since this diet is less restrictive, it may feel more natural and easier to follow. But which of these diets should you choose?!

Summing it Up

We looked at two very different diets trending in this blog post with very different goals. It’s important to remember that each of us are individuals with different goals for ourselves and in what we want. The carnivore diet is very interesting but lacking in scientific research to support it. Although some people may have success with it that does not mean it will work for everyone else and we don’t know how effective results will be in the long-term. The planetary health diet is like some other diets that focus on limiting animal products and instead consuming plant-based products and because of that there is evidence supporting its effectiveness for long term health. All of these diets can be overwhelming, to help decide what’s best for you I would recommend reading this excellent article by Mallori, a fellow dietetic intern. Be sure to consult with a Registered Dietitian or Medical Doctor before attempting any diet or taking any supplements to ensure that it will be safe and effective for you.