Get the latest top news stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter Get the latest top news stories sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter You might not typically associate the strict carnivore diet with a 37-year-old mum of three – but Dr Sarah Zaldifar isn’t your typical mum of three. She has followed the controversial diet, usually associated with muscle bound men who feast on raw liver and work out in the gym three times a day, for the past seven years and credits it with changing her life. So, what exactly is a carnivore diet? Essentially, it’s a highly restrictive eating plan that includes only animal products—meat, fish, eggs, and limited dairy. Some also incorporate raw honey, salt, and a few spices, but fruits, vegetables, sugar, carbs, and alcohol are strictly excluded.
* Sarah, a resident of Miami, Florida, embarked on the carnivore diet after hearing about its potential benefits on the “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast. * She initially experienced positive effects, including weight loss and improved energy levels. * However, she later encountered challenges, such as digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies. * Sarah’s experience highlights the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional before adopting any restrictive diet.
Sarah, a recovering binge-eating disorder patient, was struggling with her condition. She was seeking answers and stumbled upon a podcast episode featuring Dr. Shawn Baker. Dr.
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a) The Carnivore Diet: A Modern Miracle Cure?
A prominent figure in the carnivore diet movement, she argues that a diet consisting solely of animal products is the most effective way to improve health. She claims the diet can heal autoimmune diseases, gut health issues, skin conditions, and even mental health problems. “A carnivore diet is the most anti-inflammatory diet for humans,” she insists.
Sarah Zaldifar, a 30-year-old woman, shares her experience with the benefits of a plant-based diet. She credits her improved health and weight loss to this dietary change. **Detailed Text:**
Sarah Zaldifar, a 30-year-old woman, has embarked on a transformative journey towards better health and well-being through a plant-based diet.
Typical carnivore diet daily meal plan Breakfast: Bacon and eggs, glass of full-fat milk Snack: Salted biltong jerky Lunch: Tuna steak with side of shrimp, mineral water Dinner: Rump steak with blue cheese sauce, side of fried bacon chips, milk/water Is a carnivore diet healthy? Advocates of the carnivore diet, such as Dr. Shawn Baker and Dr. Anthony Chaffee, highlight its potential health benefits by sharing case studies, personal experiences, and anecdotal evidence. However, research on the diet remains limited. (Image: Sarah Zaldifar) Dr. Chaffee, referencing the defense chemicals found in plants, which carnivore diet followers claim can cause gut inflammation in humans, told The Guardian: “Plants are trying to kill you. We have some defenses, and that’s why some plants are edible, but they still cause harm with long-term exposure over years and decades.”
On the other hand, many experts hold the opposite view. For example, Prof. Tim Spector, a professor of epidemiology at King’s College London and co-founder of the science and nutrition company Zoe, encourages people to eat at least 30 different plants each week. According to him and other scientists, far from containing “poison,” plants provide a wide range of nutrients essential for maintaining overall health, particularly for gut health. While some doctors acknowledge that a carnivore diet may offer short-term benefits, such as weight loss, they caution against long-term adherence. Kathleen Zelman, a registered dietitian nutritionist, explained: “You just can’t stay on it very long.” Regarding claims that the diet reduces gut inflammation and boosts energy, she added: “There’s no evidence whatsoever. There are no controlled studies to support these claims.”
* Most experts do not recommend eliminating fruits and vegetables from the diet. * The carnivore diet has been linked to high cholesterol levels. * The carnivore diet is not a sustainable way of eating for most people.
This is primarily due to the methane emissions from livestock digestion, which are significantly higher than those from other food sources. The environmental impact of red meat production extends beyond greenhouse gas emissions. It also contributes to deforestation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Deforestation is a direct consequence of the vast land required for grazing and feed production.
