The ketogenic, or “keto”, diet has gained attention for its ability to help people lose weight, prevent weight gain, and increase energy levels. One recent study showed that participants on a keto diet lost almost five times the amount of weight as those on a low-fat one.
If reducing carbs can yield significant health benefits, will eliminating them altogether through a meat-only diet increase benefits? The answer is: possibly.
There are serious pluses to a carnivorous diet, but also some drawbacks. The information below will help you decide if it is the right option for you.
Keto Basics
A ketogenic diet involves consuming low carbs and high fats. It can play a role in gaining optimal health, including the ability to mitigate more serious concerns like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
When your body is devoid of carbohydrates and glycogen stores, it converts fat to energy. This happens in your liver, which produces ketones, a type of acid.
Like with most diets, there are variations of ketogenic eating. The standard keto diet (SKD) includes a ratio of 70-20-10 fat-protein-carbohydrates.
A cyclical ketogenic diet (CKD) involves periods of higher carbohydrates. A lot of endurance athletes choose the CKD option so that their bodies can access carbohydrates during lengthy anaerobic events. A targeted ketogenic diet (TKD) allows you to add carbs around strenuous workouts.
The best ketogenic diet is the one that you can stick to. There are lots of online resources, like WeightDescent, that can help you sort out which ratio is best for your health goals and lifestyle.
Benefits of a Meat-Only Diet
A meat-only diet is a type of keto diet that can produce better results. One of the reasons for this is that the diet has zero carbs. This can put you into ketosis much faster.
If you have food sensitivities, eating meat alone is a great elimination diet. It is a simple way of eating that limits the risk of food interactions.
People on low-carb diets show greater concentrations of antioxidants, even though they are eating fewer antioxidant-rich foods. Organ meats, such as liver, tongue, and bone marrow, are a great source of vitamins like B12 and folate, as well as minerals like iron and zinc.
The same goes for bone broth, which has high levels of amino acids. It also can help promote healthy gut flora which fights inflammation and gastrointestinal problems.
Note that some people include dairy in carnivorous keto diets. Eating milk and cheeses, for instance, is a great way to ensure you are getting enough fats to trigger ketosis.
Drawbacks to Consider
Many people choose a keto diet because it can help control inflammation. But eating too much animal protein can contribute to increased inflammation as well. One way to mitigate this potential is to limit how much red meat you’re eating
With most ketogenic diets, you are consuming a lot of nutrient-rich vegetables. This is not the case with meat-only diets. You may be concerned about getting enough vitamins or fiber.
But many types of meat––especially grass-fed ones–contain sufficient vitamins. There is also the option of taking a vitamin or fiber supplement if you have particular concerns about deficiencies.
Give Meat-Only a Try
Before starting any diet, you should consult your physician. Remember that you don’t have to eat a meat-only diet forever. It can be a way to kick-start long-term keto eating or to get your diet and your health back on track.
We hope you found this information helpful. If so, be sure to check out some of our other posts on health, lifestyle, travel, and many other topics.
