Unlike other popular diets, the carnivorous diet promotes an exclusively animal diet, rich in protein and low in fiber and with virtually no carbohydrates. What should we think of it?

Profile

Unbalanced diet, rich in protein and animal fats, very low in fiber and carbohydrates

Principal

Feed exclusively of animal origin

Strong points
– No carbohydrates and added sugar
– Possible weight loss

Weak points
– No fiber
– Risk of micronutrient deficiency
– High ecological impact

What is the carnivorous diet?
As its name suggests, the carnivorous diet consists of eating exclusively foods of animal origin (meat, eggs, fish, certain dairy products low in lactose, etc.). It therefore contains no carbohydrates and no food of plant origin (it even excludes drinks from plants such as tea and coffee).

What does it look like ?
For a normal adult calorie intake, i.e. between 1,800 and 2,000 calories, the carnivorous portion represents approximately 26% of the ration (against the recommended 15 to 20%) while lipids represent nearly 72%:

Food Amount Calories Protein Fat
Egg 100 g 134 13.5 8.62
Fish 200 g 286 46.8 10.96
Meat 200 g 366 53.6 16.32
Cheese 30 g 115 8.46 9.06
Butter 60 g 438 _ 48.3
Crème fraîche 30% 200 ml 590 4.94 61
Total – 1929 127.3 154.26

What does the research say?
No studies exist to date for this diet currently popular in the United States. What virtues do the supporters of this diet find there?

The main benefit that proponents of this diet point out is the weight loss it can achieve. Indeed, proteins have a high satiety power: as a result, we are less tempted to ingest a lot of calories with a dish rich in protein, as many studies show. (1) (2)

However, other low-carbohydrate diets, especially low-GI diets, can help achieve the same results without creating a deficiency in nutrients primarily found in plants. (3)

Potential risks
The carnivorous diet involves a high consumption of saturated fat, but it can also lead to the consumption of a large amount of salt (especially via processed meats when they are eaten).

The excess protein could also have consequences, especially for kidney function (4). Likewise, the absence of plants could lead to micronutrient deficiencies (vitamins, minerals and antioxidants). But also fiber deficiencies, which nevertheless feed the good bacteria in the intestine and participate in intestinal transit.