The general concept of animal-based and carnivore diets link back to our prehistoric ancestors and how they used to hunt and feast some four million years ago. With many other diets entering the game today, these specific eating patterns are said to be the original human diets. Basically, our kin ate what they could and what they had, which was primarily meats and fats. Animal proteins contain some of the richest forms of vitamins and nutrients known to humans, which is likely why these diet trends have quickly resurfaced.
Overall, both diets aim to limit the toxins and anything found in processed foods that can irritate the gut and compromise the immune system. Ideally, your food should be organic and grass-fed to resemble our ancestors’ eating habits as closely as possible.
The carnivore-based diet is just as it sounds–a diet almost completely consisting of meats, poultry, eggs, organs, some dairy, and water. While other items can be included, like butter, ghee, and avocado, the carnivore diet aims to completely eliminate the consumption of carbs, deeming it the “zero-carb diet”.
Most of the carnivore-based diet's benefits come from the no-carb rule, leading to helpful changes like:
Because animal proteins usually contain higher levels of saturated fats, the carnivore diet runs the risk of increasing your LDL (the bad) cholesterol. Furthermore, the diet lacks fiber, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues and vitamin deficiencies, like folate and vitamin C.
The carnivore diet can also be seen as expensive and time-consuming, due to extensive meal planning and prepping.
Similar to the carnivore diet, the animal-based diet also mostly consists of meats, poultry, eggs, and organs, but allows for a larger gap of wiggle room in the form of carbs; specifically fruits and dairy. The diet runs on the notion of a “toxicity” list, implying that some foods are more easily digested for some rather than others, which makes this diet highly variable and individual-based.
Truth be told, the benefits of animal-based eating essentially mirror the benefits found in carnivore eating because they’re so similar. However, because of the slight leniency of carb implementation, animal-based eating can be seen as easier to adhere to for a longer period of time.
An additional benefit, aside from the vitamins and fiber that fruits contain, is that fruits and honey can help alleviate those sweet tooth cravings.
Just like the pros of animal-based eating, the cons also follow that of the carnivore diet. But, since fruit does add some health benefits, there is slightly less of a concern for vitamin deficiency and a lack of fiber. This might not be enough to consider this diet a significantly better option, but may perhaps make it more manageable in the grand scheme of things.
All in all, choose what works best for you. While there seem to be significant pros AND cons to each, it really comes down to what your goals are and what you feel comfortable doing in the long run. Unmaintainable habits lead to unmaintainable results, which can be frustrating and discouraging. Always speak with your doctor regarding best practices for you and your health.
Curious about getting more nutritional support? Keep an eye out for nutrition workshops at your local Genesis Health Club! If meal prep seems overwhelming, check out GeoMeals, designed to simplify nutrition without the hassle.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/diet/carnivore-diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/carnivore-diet
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-carnivore-diet
https://theeverygirl.com/animal-based-diet/#
https://heartandsoil.co/blog/what-to-eat-on-a-carnivore-diet/?lai_sr=0-4&lai_sl=l