The carnivore diet: common questions, honest answers

The carnivore diet is built mainly on animal foods: meat, fish, eggs and, for some people, dairy. Plant foods are left out entirely or almost entirely. There are several versions, from strict to more flexible.

I get asked about this often, and the questions are fair ones. I feel good eating with animal foods at the centre. It is my own way of eating, and what I share here is my experience, not a scientific review. I’m a health coach, not a doctor. This is nutrition and lifestyle guidance, not diagnosis or treatment.

How do I start the carnivore diet as a beginner?

Keep it simple. Choose meat, fish and eggs that you enjoy and can cook from real ingredients. You don’t need to count, weigh or follow a strict schedule to get going.

Give it time and listen to your body. Don’t change everything in one day unless you have to. There is no single right way, and what suits one person doesn’t always suit the next.

No diet suits everyone. Follow how you feel and make sure you get what you need. If you have an illness, take medication or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before changing your diet.

Carnivore or keto: what is the difference?

Both are low-carbohydrate diets. A ketogenic diet can still include plenty of plant foods such as vegetables, nuts and seeds. Carnivore is more restricted, because it leaves out most or all plant foods.

I can’t tell you which one is “best”. What matters most is that you can stick with an approach that makes you feel good. For me that means animal foods at the centre.

Why I believe in real food

This is my opinion and my belief, not proven fact. To me it feels logical that the body is used to real food. In the Stone Age there was no pan pizza, no ready meals in plastic and no breakfast cereal with a cartoon character on the box. I believe we felt better before there was so much ultra-processed food, and that the body still does best with what it recognises.

That doesn’t mean you should feel bad about eating pizza. I’m not judging anyone, and other ways of eating can work well for other people. This is simply what I believe in and how I choose to eat myself.

Can other people feel good on it too?

I feel good eating this way, and I think more people could. Many people tell me and others that they feel good on carnivore, and you may too. But I can’t promise anything for you. Everyone is different, and some people feel worse. Take it as an invitation to try and listen to your body, not as a promise.

Is carnivore good for the gut?

Honest answer: I can’t promise anything. Stomach problems can have many causes, SIBO for example, and need to be looked into by healthcare. I have written more about that in SIBO isn’t “just stress”. But many people say their stomach feels better, and I understand why. If you have symptoms, seek care rather than just experimenting with food.

Is there a carnivore coach?

At MAWA I help you with planning and follow-up of nutrition built around real food with animal ingredients at the centre. That happens in the Flourish with me and All in packages, with a walk-through and coaching week by week.

If you want to start on your own there is the e-book Nice to meat you, with a week’s meal plan and recipes. It is not a strict carnivore diet. Animal ingredients are at the centre, with colourful touches from the plant world. Less counting, less fuss, more real food. You can read my background on the About Marie page.

How to judge a nutrition programme

You can judge a nutrition programme yourself, mine or anyone else’s. Some questions to ask:

• Who is behind it? It should be clear who the person is and what training they have.
• Promises. Be wary of anyone who promises to cure illness or guarantees results.
• Price. It should be clear what it costs and what is included.
• Care and medication. A serious programme never asks you to skip healthcare or stop medication.
• Questions before you buy. You should be able to ask before you decide.

This is not medical advice. If you have symptoms or an illness, take medication or are pregnant, contact a doctor.