Carnivore Diet Part Deux

[Letfreedomring]

So when you say you’ve fallen off the wagon, that makes me think it’s a compete lapse in your diet (eating sugars, carbs, etc) vs selectively adding what have been traditionally known as healthy additions to a diet, increasing fiber, fruit, etc.

And you don’t owe me any explanations. I’m just curious. I know people who pursue the carnivore diet are cutting out a lot of unhealthy stuff. Good on you for your commitment to a healthier life.

No worries and I haven't dropped down to my ideal weight yet to start adding back in non-carnivore items yet. During the holidays it was basically the SAD way of eating because who can turn down stuffing, mashed potatoes and pecan pie? Lol. I did keto before carnivore and while it helped with inflammation, it didn't totally eliminate it in my knees to where I could jump up from sitting without pausing to get my legs about me. On carnivore, I feel like I'm in my 20's again with no pain except for my back which is normal in my case. I imagine if I could go hard-core carnivore and eliminate coffee, cheese, and 10% yogurt, my back would even improve, but in these Biden years carnivore is pretty costly. Hopefully that will soon change though.

 

[KOPBET]

Not medical advice. just one person's opinion coming from a two-time stroke victim and former diabetic with a starting 12.2 A1c and CKD stage 2. I now eat mostly meats with a very small amount of dairy (heavy cream). No fruit (except occasional avocado) or vegs. Lost 55lbs and lowest recent A1c was 4.9. Latest was 5.6 Ok, sometimes I cheat, especially this time of year. Not saying it's for everyone, but it works for me. Diabetes killed my older brother, and I am determined not to follow his lead.

Unless you are a blind (some also say ignorant) follower of the AHA or ADA (recommends the SAD diet and not your friends):

Sugar, high fructose anything (sodas) is bad
Carbs are not a health food and not needed at all
Fiber is not a requirement for health (and could cause gut issues is some)
Fruit is mostly sugar (fructose) and is especially bad for metabolically unhealthy people (diabetics, etc.) Berries, avocados, currants are least bad.
Many veggies are high in starch (turns to sugar). Cruciferous vegs are best and lowest in carbs, but again, vegs are not a requirement in any way so leave the greens in the ground for the animals
So are starchy beans, legumes, potatoes, rice (also carbs)
Breads or breaded foods are high in carbs, avoid or eliminate
Seed or "vegetable" oils will kill you, don't use
Full fat dairy is OK in limited amounts, inflammatory for some people though. Milk is loaded in lactose (sugar)
Low fat or fat free is the devil incarnate (fat is usually replaced with some form of sugar for taste)
Trans fats are bad of course, saturated fats are not
Bacon, bacon, bacon!!
Eggs with the yolk (some can't handle egg whites)
Get your food as a single ingredient item if possible. Avoid "foods" with things on the label you can't pronounce
Liver (any) is a super food if you like it
Use butter or ghee (clarified butter). No margarine science projects
Some nuts in moderation sprouted, soaked or roasted. (Carbs) Leave the peanuts for the elephants
And of course, meats. Doesn't have to be the expensive stuff. Buy what you can afford. Ruminant meat is best, but any kind will do including pork, chicken, fish, shellfish, lamb, etc. Unless your name is Klaus, no bugs
If you must have alcohol, try to stick with distilled (without the sugary mixers) but keep it limited and infrequent

True carnivore dieters would consume only animal products and some full fat dairy (butter, ghee)
Not a complete list but what I could think of offhand.

If you are metabolically healthy, not overweight and not prediabetic, do what you will and good luck to you. If not, you CAN reverse course and not die an unnecessarily premature death due to a poor diet. And oh BTW, doctors and dieticians won't always give you good advice (they can't). You have to be your own advocate for good or better health.

 

[FlyGuyGSP]

Not medical advice. just one person's opinion coming from a two-time stroke victim and former diabetic with a starting 12.2 A1c and CKD stage 2. I now eat mostly meats with a very small amount of dairy (heavy cream). No fruit (except occasional avocado) or vegs. Lost 55lbs and lowest recent A1c was 4.9. Latest was 5.6 Ok, sometimes I cheat, especially this time of year. Not saying it's for everyone, but it works for me. Diabetes killed my older brother, and I am determined not to follow his lead.

Unless you are a blind (some also say ignorant) follower of the AHA or ADA (recommends the SAD diet and not your friends):

Sugar, high fructose anything (sodas) is bad
Carbs are not a health food and not needed at all
Fiber is not a requirement for health (and could cause gut issues is some)
Fruit is mostly sugar (fructose) and is especially bad for metabolically unhealthy people (diabetics, etc.) Berries, avocados, currants are least bad.
Many veggies are high in starch (turns to sugar). Cruciferous vegs are best and lowest in carbs, but again, vegs are not a requirement in any way so leave the greens in the ground for the animals
So are starchy beans, legumes, potatoes, rice (also carbs)
Breads or breaded foods are high in carbs, avoid or eliminate
Seed or "vegetable" oils will kill you, don't use
Full fat dairy is OK in limited amounts, inflammatory for some people though. Milk is loaded in lactose (sugar)
Low fat or fat free is the devil incarnate (fat is usually replaced with some form of sugar for taste)
Trans fats are bad of course, saturated fats are not
Bacon, bacon, bacon!!
Eggs with the yolk (some can't handle egg whites)
Get your food as a single ingredient item if possible. Avoid "foods" with things on the label you can't pronounce
Liver (any) is a super food if you like it
Use butter or ghee (clarified butter). No margarine science projects
Some nuts in moderation sprouted, soaked or roasted. (Carbs) Leave the peanuts for the elephants
And of course, meats. Doesn't have to be the expensive stuff. Buy what you can afford. Ruminant meat is best, but any kind will do including pork, chicken, fish, shellfish, lamb, etc. Unless your name is Klaus, no bugs
If you must have alcohol, try to stick with distilled (without the sugary mixers) but keep it limited and infrequent

True carnivore dieters would consume only animal products and some full fat dairy (butter, ghee)
Not a complete list but what I could think of offhand.

If you are metabolically healthy, not overweight and not prediabetic, do what you will and good luck to you. If not, you CAN reverse course and not die an unnecessarily premature death due to a poor diet. And oh BTW, doctors and dieticians won't always give you good advice (they can't). You have to be your own advocate for good or better health.

You taking any diabetic meds or just controlling it with diet?

 

[saddlebum]

Perhaps I wasn’t clear when I suggested the continuation of eliminating all the unhealthy portions of the typical American diet.

the things you mentioned ARE unhealthy portions of the typical American diet

 

[trekrok]

I'm doing a keto pull right now. This thing works for me, but it gets pretty tough since I'm not that creative with cooking. I view eggs as medicine now and simply try to get them down without any expectation of enjoying it.

In a couple months I'm going to ease off and get a little more active and add some decent carbs back in.

Simple sugar is bad. I wonder sometimes just how much everyone's health would improve by just cutting out that one thing.

I don't miss the sweets and desert stuff much. Bread I do miss.

 

[TedKennedy]

I'm doing a keto pull right now. This thing works for me, but it gets pretty tough since I'm not that creative with cooking. I view eggs as medicine now and simply try to get them down without any expectation of enjoying it.

In a couple months I'm going to ease off and get a little more active and add some decent carbs back in.

Simple sugar is bad. I wonder sometimes just how much everyone's health would improve by just cutting out that one thing.

I don't miss the sweets and desert stuff much. Bread I do miss.

I loathe eggs, but a big dose of chorizo makes them quite palatable, as does Chipotle sauce. Both should suit your diet.

 

[Dr. HK]

What are some of the recipes? Or something that is a rule of thumb or how to begin?

 

[Letfreedomring]

What are some of the recipes? Or something that is a rule of thumb or how to begin?

I like crack chicken to break up the monotony. It is only like 5 ingredients and carnivore/keto friendly. Chicken thighs, shredded cheese, cream cheese, bacon, dry ranch dressing packet. Keto can add chives to top it off. I throw everything in insta-pot and eat it with fried pork rinds like a dip. Doesn't sound very appetizing, but it is pretty good for something different. It freezes well since I always make too much before I get burned out on it.

 

[KOPBET]

You taking any diabetic meds or just controlling it with diet?

Was on metformin until I got A1c under 5.7 then came off it. Controlling with diet since.

 

[FlyGuyGSP]

Was on metformin until I got A1c under 5.7 then came off it. Controlling with diet since.

That’s great man, glad you’re turning things around. And I’m very sorry about your brother.